A validated finite element model of a soft artificial muscle motor

Tony Chun Hin Tse; Benjamin O'Brien; Thomas McKay; Iain A. Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.880716

28 March 2011 A validated finite element model of a soft artificial muscle motor

Tony Chun Hin Tse, Benjamin O'Brien, Thomas McKay, Iain A. Anderson

Proceedings Volume 7976, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2011; 79761Q (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.880716
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2011, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Biomimetics Laboratory has developed a soft artificial muscle motor based on Dielectric Elastomers. The motor, 'Flexidrive', is light-weight and has low system complexity. It works by gripping and turning a shaft with a soft gear, like we would with our fingers. The motor's performance depends on many factors, such as actuation waveform, electrode patterning, geometries and contact tribology between the shaft and gear. We have developed a finite element model (FEM) of the motor as a study and design tool. Contact interaction was integrated with previous material and electromechanical coupling models in ABAQUS. The model was experimentally validated through a shape and blocked force analysis.

Citation Download Citation

Tony Chun Hin Tse, Benjamin O'Brien, Thomas McKay, and Iain A. Anderson "A validated finite element model of a soft artificial muscle motor", Proc. SPIE 7976, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2011, 79761Q (28 March 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.880716

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