Piezoelectric Rib Plate Underwater Robot for Stealth Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigidly-driven underwater robots suffer from low energy utilization, high noise, and complex structures, making them inefficient and detectable, which complicates their use in small underwater applications.
Innovation Solution
A flexibly-driven small underwater robot utilizing piezoelectric sheets and rib plates to periodically change the volume of a water pumping and draining chamber, creating a propelling force through periodic voltage application, reducing noise and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If rigid driving mode with motor and transmission mechanism is used, then driving force is sufficient, but energy utilization is low and structure is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional motor-transmission mechanism system with a flexible membrane-driven system. The flexible membrane deforms under pressure to directly propel the robot, eliminating the need for rigid mechanical transmission components and improving energy utilization by reducing mechanical losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the core driving component. This flexible membrane can deform and recover cyclically to generate propulsion, replacing rigid mechanical structures with a flexible system that achieves both sufficient driving force and improved energy efficiency through elastic deformation.
2Power
If rigid driving mode with motor and transmission mechanism is used, then driving force is sufficient, but structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex transmission mechanism components (gears, shafts, bearings) from the robot system. By using the flexible membrane's direct deformation to generate propulsion, the design eliminates multiple transmission links, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining adequate driving force.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the driving propulsion element and the structural envelope of the robot. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby simplifying the overall structure and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Power
If rigid driving mode is used, then driving force is sufficient, but driving noise is high and invisibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane's elastic deformation and recovery generate propulsion through water displacement rather than rigid mechanical contact. This flexible motion pattern produces significantly less noise and vibration compared to rigid driving mechanisms, enhancing the robot's stealth and reducing detectability by passive sonar.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane operates through periodic cyclic deformation, creating pulse-like propulsion waves in the water. This periodic action pattern generates intermittent rather than continuous noise, reducing the overall acoustic signature and making the robot less detectable compared to continuous rigid motor operation.
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 solution enhances energy utilization, reduces noise, improves control accuracy, and simplifies the structure, making the robot more efficient, stealthy, and cost-effective for underwater operations.
Implementation Method 1
The rib plate comprises a piezoelectric sheet and a matrix plate. Two ends of one side surface of the matrix plate are both fixed with the piezoelectric sheet. When electrified, the piezoelectric sheet is extended or retracted along a length direction of the matrix plate.
Implementation Method 2
The annular and elastic skin is wrapped on outer sides of all the plurality of rib plates
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a flexibly-driven small underwater robot and a driving method thereof. The underwater robot provided by the invention comprises a driving module and a propelling module. Two propelling modules are designed at head and tail portions, and the driving module is arranged between the two propelling modules. A rib plate in the driving module comprises a carbon fiber plate matrix and a piezoelectric fiber sheet; and a shape of the carbon fiber plate matrix is optimized by width change and hole digging. The propelling modules comprise a head propelling module and a tail propelling module, and the head propelling module and the tail propelling module are both propelled through a one-way valve. According to the invention, two modes of the pre-compression rib plate are adjusted through the piezoelectric fiber sheet, so that a volume of an internal cavity is changed, and jet propelling is carried out.