Elastic energy-recycling actuators for efficient robots

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Energy Systems

Background:

• Electric motors are essential in robotics but often exhibit low energy efficiency during cyclic operations.
• Significant energy waste occurs in repetitive robotic tasks, impacting performance and operational costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an elastic energy-recycling actuator that enhances motor efficiency in cyclic robotic tasks.
• To maintain the functional versatility of traditional electric motors while improving energy conservation.

Main Methods:

• Designed an actuator with a motor in parallel with individually engageable springs using electroadhesive clutches.
• Developed a prototype actuator capable of storing and releasing elastic energy.
• Tested the prototype in five distinct repetitive tasks representative of common robotic applications.

Main Results:

• The elastic energy-recycling actuator demonstrated a power consumption reduction of at least 50% across all tested tasks.
• In the most favorable scenario, the actuator achieved an energy efficiency improvement of up to 97%.
• The low-power electroadhesive clutches effectively controlled energy storage and release.

Conclusions:

• Elastic energy recovery, facilitated by low-power clutches, offers a viable method to enhance energy efficiency in robotic systems.
• This technology has the potential to significantly improve the performance and reduce the energy footprint of mobile robots and assistive devices.
• The developed actuator presents a promising solution for energy conservation in various engineered systems requiring cyclic motion.