Design, characterization and stability test of a multistable composite compliant actuator for exoskeletons

Leonardo Cappello, Xavier Lachenal, Alberto Pirrera, Filippo Mattioni, Paul M. Weaver, Lorenzo Masia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A novel actuator is presented that merges traditional electromechanical motors and multistable composite structures. Previously, it has been shown that these structures are able to arrange themselves in multiple stable configurations corresponding to local minima of their strain energy. When coupled with an electromechanical motor as proposed in this article, the resulting actuator shows significant benefits. These are in terms of safety, energy saving and control implementation using the compliance of the overall structure, the particular shape of the strain energy landscape, and the accurately predictable non-linear behavior. Hence the proposed actuator is well-suited for robotics applications. The parameters characterizing the design of the transmission are analyzed, and a physical model is developed. A case study is presented in which the performance for a particular configuration of the system is evaluated and reported. A conceptual application of the proposed actuator is discussed for assistive robotics, where new perspectives on the use of non-rigid transmission elements might become beneficial in terms of safety and energy harvesting.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication"2014 5th IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2014
EditorsRaffaella Carloni, Lorenzo Masia, Jose Maria Sabater-Navarro, Marko Ackermann, Sunil Agrawal, Arash Ajoudani, Panagiotis Artemiadis, Matteo Bianchi, Antonio Padilha Lanari Bo, Maura Casadio, Kevin Cleary, Ashish Deshpande, Domenico Formica, Matteo Fumagalli, Nicolas Garcia-Aracil, Sasha Blue Godfrey, Islam S.M. Khalil, Olivier Lambercy, Rui C. V. Loureiro, Leonardo Mattos, Victor Munoz, Hyung-Soon Park, Luis Eduardo Rodriguez Cheu, Roque Saltaren, Adriano A. G. Siqueira, Valentina Squeri, Arno H.A. Stienen, Nikolaos Tsagarakis, Herman Van der Kooij, Bram Vanderborght, Nicola Vitiello, Jose Zariffa, Loredana Zollo
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages1051-1056
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781479931262
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sep 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event5th IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2014 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Duration: 12 Aug 201415 Aug 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of the IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics
ISSN (Print)2155-1774

Conference

Conference5th IEEE RAS and EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2014
Country/TerritoryBrazil
CitySao Paulo
Period12/08/1415/08/14

Keywords

  • Actuator
  • Assistive Technology
  • Force and Admittance Control
  • Multistable Composite Material
  • Z-width

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Design, characterization and stability test of a multistable composite compliant actuator for exoskeletons'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this