Whole-Garment Knitted Soft Actuators for Wearable Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-controlled soft actuators face challenges in wearable applications due to material density, hardness, and labor-intensive production methods, limiting design options and user mobility.
Innovation Solution
Soft actuators produced via three-dimensional whole-garment knitting integrate multiple knitted layers with anisotropic flexibility, using leakproof sacs and sensors, allowing for adaptable and efficient movement control through fluid pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric materials are used for soft actuators, then thermal resistance and chemical resistance are improved, but material density and hardness increase causing difficulties in wearable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures combining elastomeric layers with textile layers. The elastomeric material provides thermal and chemical resistance, while the textile layers reduce overall density and improve wearability. This composite approach allows the actuator to maintain reliability benefits while mitigating the weight penalty of pure elastomeric construction.
2Weight of moving object
If textile-based soft actuators are developed, then material density and hardness are reduced improving wearability, but production complexity increases due to sewing and attaching cut pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional layers (elastomeric layers, textile layers, fluid channels) into a single integrated structure through co-knitting. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate sewing and attaching operations required in traditional textile-based actuators, reducing production complexity while maintaining the wearability benefits of lightweight materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing parameter from post-production assembly (sewing/attaching) to integrated production (co-knitting). By transitioning to a single-step knitting process that produces the complete multi-layer structure, the patent eliminates multiple production steps and reduces device complexity while preserving the lightweight characteristics of textile materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receptacles are used for fluid control, then movement possibilities are improved, but device complexity and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the actuator into multiple independently controllable chambers or regions within the knitted structure. Each segment can be inflated or deflated independently through separate fluid channels, enabling complex movement patterns and postures. This segmentation allows versatile movement control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the modular nature of the knitted design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integrated actuators provide enhanced pressure resistance, reduced labor costs, and improved design flexibility, supporting user mobility and functionality in wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
Soft actuators controlled by fluid pressure
Implementation Method 2
elastomeric materials such as silicone and rubber are used and by applying pneumatic pressure on these structures, the desired movement is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
Soft actuators controlled by fluid pressure comprise two sacs which provide for the flexion of a structure upon pressurizing this structure that has an anisotropic flexibility, which is provided by different knitted layers. The knitted layers are produced as integrated with each other by means of the three-dimensional whole-garment knitting technique. The actuators can be adapted according to the different requirements and produced with standard qualities.