Variable-Stiffness Actuator Agonist-Antagonist Stiffness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current variable-stiffness actuators lack passive disturbance rejection capability due to the absence of elastic elements between the motor and the external environment, resulting in ineffective interaction with unpredictable disturbances in unstructured environments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating variable-stiffness elastic means between the motor and the body of the actuator, configured in an agonist-antagonist setup with non-linear elastic elements that increase stiffness upon motor activation, enhancing passive disturbance rejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elastic elements are added between the motor and the body to improve passive disturbance rejection, then the disturbance rejection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassive disturbance rejection capabilityVSAvoidactuator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing elastic elements with specific stiffness characteristics between the motor and body. The elastic means are designed with non-linear stiffness properties that change based on operating conditions, allowing the system to achieve passive disturbance rejection through parameter optimization rather than complex control mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by improving reliability through parameter tuning while avoiding excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic means serve as an intermediary element between the motor and the body, mediating the transmission of forces and torques. This intermediary component enables passive disturbance rejection by elastically coupling the motor to the body, allowing the system to respond to disturbances without requiring complex feedback control. The mediator approach improves reliability while maintaining relatively simple actuator structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If variable-stiffness elastic means are used to increase stiffness upon motor activation, then the passive disturbance rejection is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassive disturbance rejectionVSAvoidelastic means configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by using variable-stiffness elastic means that can change their stiffness characteristic based on motor activation state. The elastic elements transition between different stiffness levels to optimize disturbance rejection performance during different operating phases. This dynamic approach enhances passive disturbance rejection while avoiding the need for complex active control systems, thereby managing device complexity effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The variable-stiffness elastic means utilize parameter changes by modifying the stiffness parameter of the elastic elements in response to motor activation. This allows the system to adapt its mechanical properties dynamically, achieving enhanced disturbance rejection during critical operations while maintaining simpler characteristics during normal operation. The parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by improving reliability only when necessary rather than requiring permanently complex structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If elastic elements are interposed between the motor and output member, then the interaction with external environment is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental interaction capabilityVSAvoidactuator assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic elements serve as intermediary components that simplify the interface between the motor and output member while improving environmental interaction. By introducing these compliant elements, the actuator can adapt to external disturbances and variations in the environment without requiring complex sensing or control systems. The intermediary approach enhances adaptability while actually simplifying manufacturing compared to rigid, precision-controlled alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible elastic elements that can be manufactured using standard elastic materials and conventional fabrication techniques. These flexible components provide the necessary compliance for improved environmental interaction while being relatively simple to manufacture and assemble. The use of flexible elements rather than complex rigid mechanisms resolves the contradiction by enhancing adaptability without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 actuator achieves improved passive disturbance rejection by increasing stiffness, allowing for better interaction with unpredictable environments without the need for feedback control.

Implementation Method 1

elastic means interposed between said motor (12, 12') and said body (11) so as to apply on said motor (12, 12') an elastic reaction torque/force opposing the driving torque/force generated by said motor (12, 12')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2890527B1Variable-stiffness actuator with passive disturbance rejection
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 FOND INST ITAL DI TECH
  • EP2890527B1 patent drawingFigure 1~10
  • EP2890527B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2890527B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The actuator (10) comprises: a movable output member (18) mobile, motor means (12, 14) arranged to control the movement of the output member (18), first variable-stiffness elastic means (20) interposed between the motor means (12, 14) and the output member (18), in such a manner that the transmission of the motion between the motor means (12, 14) and the output member (18) occurs via the first elastic means (20), a body (11) supporting the motor means (12, 14) and the output member (18), and second elastic means (22) interposed between the body (11) and the motor means (12, 14) so as to apply on these latter an elastic reaction torque/force opposing the driving torque/force generated by them. According to an embodiment, the motor means (12, 14) comprise two motors (12), each of which is connected to the output member (18) through respective first variable-stiffness elastic elements (20), and respective second variable-stiffness elastic elements (22) are interposed between each motor (12) and the body (11), the two motors (12) and the first and second elastic means (20, 22) being configured with an agonist-antagonist configuration, whereby simultaneous activation of the two motors (12) leads to an increase in the stiffness of the first and second elastic elements (20, 22) and hence to an increase in the passive disturbance rejection capability of the actuator (10).