Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Flexure Variable Stiffness Actuators
 
research article

Flexure Variable Stiffness Actuators

Giraud, Frederic H.
•
Mete, Mustafa  
•
Paik, Jamie  
June 22, 2022
Advanced Intelligent Systems

Series elastic actuators (SEAs) and variable elastic actuators (VSAs) provide shock resistance, energy storage, and stable force control. However, they usually require extra springs, mechanical parts, and transmissions, increasing size, weight, number of moving parts, and reducing the mechanical efficiency. In particular, this mechanical complexity is one of the significant challenges in the design of wearable and scalable force feedback devices. In this article, flexure variable stiffness actuators (F-VSAs), which combine kinematic transmission, elasticity, and stiffness modulation via a network of folding patterns using flexure hinges, are presented. Thus, F-VSAs allow the creation of robots benefiting from the advantages of SEAs and VSAs without hindering form factor or mechanical efficiency. To illustrate the design strategy of F-VSAs, a 4-design-of-freedom (DoF) robot that provides stiffness and force output is presented. An analytical model that estimates the inherent stiffness and the end-effector force output for any given configuration of the folding pattern is proposed. Finally, stiffness modulation and force control of the robot are implemented and good agreement with the predictions from the model is observed. Thus, this novel design strategy allows the creation of compact and scalable robots with stiffness and force output for wearable, rehabilitation, and haptic applications.

  • Files
  • Details
  • Metrics
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name

Advanced Intelligent Systems - 2022 - Giraud - Flexure Variable Stiffness Actuators.pdf

Type

Publisher

Version

http://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85

Access type

openaccess

License Condition

copyright

Size

2.27 MB

Format

Adobe PDF

Checksum (MD5)

2fba614f74c4ed45e3fd937acc27f61e

Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés