Modeling and Simulation of Reinforcement Mechanism in Preventing the Dysfunction of a Bellow-Like Artificial Muscle

Abstract

Most artificial muscles currently in existence driven by negative pressure are in the form of origami. Their contractions are directly attained by extracting the air internal, and obtaining a differential pressure with the external (0.101[Formula: see text]MPa). During contraction, the artificial muscle simultaneously encounters radial and axial pressures provided by the atmosphere. If the muscle is isotropic, the radial pressure would make the artificial muscle unreliable, which would weaken the muscle’s contraction, including contraction force, ratio, and speed. This paper first introduces the contraction theory and dysfunction of the muscle. Then, an optimization method is proposed as local reinforcement, aiming at the muscle’s dysfunction that may occur during contraction. Then, by analyzing and comparing the optimization effects on the muscle contraction force and deformation with different reinforced regions, the endplates and crests are determined to be appropriate. Subsequently, the deformations of the reinforced regions when stressed are analyzed, and the adequate reinforcement dimensions are confirmed. Finally, the muscle’s model passes the simulation for ensuring its contraction without dysfunction, demonstrating the rationality of the reinforcement method proposed in this paper. Hereby, the goal of reinforcing the muscle’s radial stiffness is achieved, making the artificial muscle generate an optimal contraction performance.