Variable Stiffness Actuator For Soft Robotics Using Dielectric Elastomer And Low-Melting-Point Alloy
2015 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS)(2015)
摘要
A novel variable stiffness actuator composed of a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) and a low-melting-point-alloy (LMPA) embedded silicone substrate is demonstrated. The device which we call variable stiffness dielectric elastomer actuator (VSDEA) enables functional soft robots with a simplified structure, where the DEA generates a bending actuation and the LMPA provides controllable stiffness between soft and rigid states by Joule heating. The entire structure of VSDEA is made of soft silicones with an elastic modulus of less than 1 MPa providing a high compliance when the LMPA is active. The device has the dimension of 40 mm length x 10 mm width x 1 mm thickness, with mass of similar to 1 g. We characterize VSDEA in terms of the actuation stroke angle, the blocked force, and the reaction force against a forced displacement. The results show the controllable actuation angle and the blocked force up to 23.7 degrees and 2.4 mN in the soft state, and 0.6 degrees and 2.1 mN in the rigid state. Compared to an actuator without the LMPA, VSDEA exhibits similar to 90x higher rigidity. We develop a VSDEA gripper where the mass of active parts is similar to 2 g, which is able to successfully hold an object mass of 11 g, exhibiting the high performance of the actuator.
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关键词
variable stiffness actuator,soft robotics,dielectric elastomer,low-melting-point
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