A 3 DOFs Mini Variable Stiffness Soft Pneumatic Actuator

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    5 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Surgical robots for minimal access surgery are used to enhance surgeons' performance by motion scaling and reduction of physiological tremor. The advantages of rigid robots include high precision and fast movements. However, an active control is needed for safe interaction with organs and tissues. By contrast, soft robots are intrinsically safe; however, they have limited precision movements because of their low stiffness. In the present study we describe a mini soft pneumatic cylindrical actuator that can change its stiffness by means of antagonistic tendons. The actuator has 3 degrees of freedom (DOFs), an external diameter of 12 mm, length of 15 mm, weight of 1.5 g, and a maximal activation air pressure below 60 kPa (0.60 atm). We report the design of the i) soft actuator, ii) range of motion data, iii) output force and torque, and iv) its variable stiffness under external load.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of ACTUATOR 2018
    Subtitle of host publication16th International Conference on New Actuators
    EditorsHubert Borgmann
    PublisherVDE Verlag GmbH
    Pages169-172
    Number of pages4
    ISBN (Electronic)9783800746750
    Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2018
    Event16th International Conference and Exhibition on New Actuators and Drive Systems, ACTUATOR 2018 - Bremen, Germany
    Duration: 25 Jun 201827 Jun 2018

    Publication series

    NameACTUATOR 2018 - 16th International Conference and Exhibition on New Actuators and Drive Systems, Conference Proceedings

    Conference

    Conference16th International Conference and Exhibition on New Actuators and Drive Systems, ACTUATOR 2018
    Country/TerritoryGermany
    CityBremen
    Period25/06/1827/06/18

    Keywords

    • Soft Hollow Actuator
    • Variable Stiffness Actuator
    • Medical Robots

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Control and Optimization

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