Design and fabrication of multi-pouch inflatable holding structure with higher payload

Multi-pouch inflatable holding structure are designed using commercial finite element analysis (FEA) and developed to achieve higher payload using high performance fabric materials. In previous literature, only nylon-based fabric material is used for such structure with limited shape design. Herein we present a multi pouch inflatable holding structure using lightweight and stiffer fabric. From there, the weight of the structure is reduced 40% while the payload is increased 1.5 times. By using FEA simulation, we explored different design variables for the pouch such as material properties, geometry and air volume control. Stiffness modulation method is also used in current multi-pouch holding structure. By integration of jamming technology, we further doubled the payload of such structure.