Reconfigurable Magnetization System for Magnetic Soft Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetization control methods for magnetic soft-bodied robots are limited by complex and time-consuming assembly processes, difficulty in small-scale adjustments, and inability to reconfigure magnetization characteristics after material preparation, leading to weakened magnetization intensity and limited deformation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising axisymmetrically arranged magnetizing coil units with a pulse power supply module to generate and control magnetic fields, allowing for flexible adjustment and reconfiguration of magnetization patterns in small-scale regions through pulse current control, using magnetic concentrators to enhance field focus and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If external magnetic field equipment with limited orientation capability is used, then the magnetization adjustment process becomes simpler, but the magnetization intensity is weakened and particles cannot be completely reoriented
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetizing coil is divided into multiple independently controllable coil units arranged in different spatial directions. Each coil unit can be activated separately to provide magnetic fields from different orientations, enabling complete particle reorientation while maintaining process simplicity through modular control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of pulse currents to different coil units in sequence. By alternately activating different coil units with timed pulse currents, the system achieves cumulative magnetization effect that completely reorients particles without requiring simultaneously complex multi-directional field equipment.
2Productivity
If magnetization adjustment and hardening preparation are carried out synchronously, then the process efficiency is improved, but the magnetization characteristics cannot be changed after preparation completion, making reconfiguration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulse current control with adjustable parameters (amplitude, duration, frequency, switching sequences) that can be dynamically modified after the soft material is prepared. This dynamic controllability allows the magnetization characteristics to be reconfigured at any stage without requiring material reprocessing, achieving both efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables post-preparation reconfiguration by changing pulse current parameters (magnitude, pulse width, frequency, and switching patterns) to different combinations. These parameter changes allow the same prepared material to achieve different magnetization distributions and robot functions without physical modification.
3Manufacturing precision
If micro-coil arrays are introduced into magnetic soft material, then localized magnetization control is improved, but high-strength coil preparation technology is required and deformation characteristics may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic concentrators as intermediary components positioned between the external coil units and the magnetic particles in the soft material. These concentrators focus and direct the magnetic flux to specific regions, achieving localized magnetization control without embedding complex micro-coils into the soft material, thus avoiding preparation complexity and deformation issues.
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
Enables simple and precise control of internal magnetization characteristics, achieving strong and focused magnetic fields for multifunctional robots with reconfigurable properties, independent of material preparation processes, and effective for various scales, including miniature robots.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetizing coil module is used to generate an oscillating or non-oscillating magnetic field under the pulse current provided by the pulse power supply module
Implementation Method 2
the magnetizing coil module is used to generate an oscillating or non-oscillating magnetic field under the pulse current provided by the pulse power supply module, and to perform non-oscillating magnetization or oscillating demagnetization of the magnetic soft-bodied robot
Implementation Method 3
the upper magnetizing coil unit and the lower magnetizing coil unit axisymmetrically arranged up and down are used to focus magnetic fields generated by their coils to the target magnetization region of the magnetic soft-bodied robot
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention belongs to the technical field of magnetically controlled soft-bodied robots, and more specifically, relates to a controllable and reconfigurable magnetization system and method for a magnetic soft-bodied robot. The system comprises a pulse power supply module, magnetizing coil units axisymmetrically arranged up and down, and a magnetic soft-bodied robot placed between the upper and lower magnetizing units. By means of changing the relative current flow direction of the upper and lower magnetizing coil modules, radial and vertical magnetic fields can be generated between the magnetizing coils arranged oppositely without any mechanical movement, so that the internal magnetization direction of the magnetic soft-bodied robot can be configured simply and flexibly. The present invention realizes for the first time the particle magnetization and synchronization of bidirectional orientations, and decouples the material preparation process of the magnetic soft-bodied robot from the magnetization process, so that the entire manufacturing process is very simple. Moreover, the internal magnetization distribution is reconfigurable, which provides a completely new technical approach for realizing multifunctional magnetic soft-bodied robots.