Issue |
MATEC Web Conf.
Volume 256, 2019
The 5th International Conference on Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering (ICMME 2018)
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Article Number | 01005 | |
Number of page(s) | 4 | |
Section | Material Analysis and Applied Mechanics | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201925601005 | |
Published online | 23 January 2019 |
Variable Stiffness Structures Utilizing Pneumatic Artificial Muscles
1 Mechanical Engineering Department, Pingdingshan University, 467000 Pingdingshan, China
2 Institute for Composite Science Innovation, Zhejiang University, 310027 Hangzhou, China
Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) can offer excellent force-to-weight ratios and act as shape-changing actuator under injecting the actuation fluid into their bladders. PAMs could be easily utilized for morphing structures due to their millimeter-scale diameter. The pressurized PAM can serve not only as artificial muscle actuator which obtains contraction deformation capability but also as a spring system with variable stiffness. In this study, the stiffness behaviors of pressurized PAMs and a variable stiffness structure are investigated. By taking advantage of the designed PAMs which was conducted by the non- linear quasi-static model, significant changes in the spring stiffness can be achieved by air pressure control. A case study is presented to explore the potential behavior of a structure with circular permutation PAMs. The structure used in this case consists of sixteen PAMs with circular homogeneous distribution and a circular supporter with sixteen slide way runners. The stiffness of presented structure can vary flexibly in wide range through controlling the air pressure levels and slide deformation respectively.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2019
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