Low-Volume Inflatable Actuator Composites for Untethered Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic soft robots are typically tethered due to high energy costs and the lack of portable pneumatic sources capable of providing high pressures and air flow rates, limiting their application in untethered scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A low-volume inflatable actuator composite (IAC) integrated with a portable pneumatic source, comprising a pneumatic compressor, electric motor, and inflatable fabric, which adjusts angles based on human motion to assist movement, reducing energy costs and enabling untethered operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If pneumatic soft robots use tethered pneumatic sources, then high pressure and air flow rates can be provided, but portability and mobility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pneumatic power source into modular components: a portable compressor unit with integrated air storage tank, distributed to multiple wearable locations rather than using a single large stationary source. This segmentation enables high power delivery at the point of use while maintaining overall system portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar actuators to three-dimensional volumetric inflatable structures. By inflating chambers in the third dimension, the system achieves higher force and power output from compact wearable volumes, resolving the contradiction between portability and power delivery.
2Power
If large-volume actuators are used to provide sufficient force, then high power output is achieved, but wearable comfort and mobility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thin-film inflatable chambers with flexible membranes that can be conformally integrated into wearable garments. These thin-film structures provide large internal volume for force generation while maintaining a compact external profile that does not compromise wearable comfort or mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuators use dynamically inflatable structures that can rapidly change volume and stiffness on demand. By inflating only when force is needed and deflating during passive motion, the system achieves high power output when required while maintaining small average volume for comfort during normal wear.
3Power
If high energy consumption is accepted for dynamic motion assistance, then sufficient power for human motion support is provided, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic inflation and deflation cycles synchronized with the user's gait pattern. By delivering pneumatic power only during specific phases of the walking cycle when assistance is needed, and allowing passive elastic recoil during other phases, the system achieves effective motion assistance with reduced average energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor user motion and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the actuators to deliver power precisely when needed based on actual user requirements, avoiding wasted energy from continuous operation and optimizing the power-to-energy-consumption ratio.
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 system reduces energy consumption and enhances portability, allowing for untethered applications by providing high flow and pressure outputs required for dynamic human motion assistance.
Implementation Method 1
The pneumatic compressor is configured to move the compressed air into the inflatable fabric
Implementation Method 2
the inflatable fabric is in fluid communication with the pneumatic compressor. The controller is configured to cause the pneumatic compressor to move a compressed air with the first valve into the inflatable fabric to adjust an angle of the first paddle with respect to the second paddle
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for a wearable exoskeleton include an inflatable actuator with a reduced operation volume for faster operation. The inflatable actuator may include a first paddle connectable to the human body, a second paddle connectable to the human body, and an inflatable fabric coupled between the first paddle and the second paddle. In response to the inflatable fabric being filled with compressed air, the rigidity of the inflatable fabric increases, causing the angle between the first paddle and the second paddle to change to provide an assistive force for a movement of the human body. A portable pneumatic source is provided for quickly supplying a compressed air to the inflatable actuator. The portable pneumatic source may include a double acting piston and a cylinder defining a first chamber and a second chamber, and a valve assembly, for compressing air at both the upstroke and downstroke of the piston.