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Mechanical Valves for On-Board Flow Control of Inflatable Robots
Lishuai Jin1, Antonio Elia Forte1,2, Katia Bertoldi1
1John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|September 8, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed simple, integrated mechanical valves for inflatable robots. These valves enable multifunctional control using a single pressure input, eliminating electronics and wires for safer, versatile robot designs.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Inflatable robots are gaining traction for safe human-robot interaction.
- Achieving multifunctionality in inflatable robots with a single pressure input is a significant design challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present novel, easily fabricated mechanical valves for inflatable robots.
- To enable multifunctional control of inflatable robots using a single pressure input without electronics.
Main Methods:
- Harnessing viscous flow and snapping arch principles for valve design.
- Integrating passive mechanical valves onboard inflatable robots.
- Utilizing numerical modeling and robotic demonstrations to validate valve performance.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated simple, lightweight, and inexpensive mechanical valves.
- Achieved on-board airflow control for multifunctional robots via a single pressure input.
- Identified optimal input profiles for specific robotic functionalities.
Conclusions:
- The developed valves expand the options for mechanical control in inflatable robotics.
- Enables new strategies for creating multifunctional inflatable robots with integrated flow control.
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