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IJAT Vol.3 No.6 pp. 731-740
doi: 10.20965/ijat.2009.p0731
(2009)

Paper:

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Flexible Sensor for McKibben Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Actuator

Shinji Kuriyama*, Ming Ding*, Yuichi Kurita*, Jun Ueda**,
and Tsukasa Ogasawara*

*Graduate School of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan

**George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 801 Ferst Drive, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0405, USA

Received:
May 19, 2009
Accepted:
July 8, 2009
Published:
November 5, 2009
Creative Commons License
Keywords:
McKibben pneumatic artificial muscle, flexible sensor, displacement estimation, power assist device
Abstract
The demand for flexible, lightweight McKibben pneumatic artificial muscles (McKibben actuators) has been increasing for power assistance equipment used for assisting and rehabilitating the elderly. To accurately control this equipment, the length of the actuator should be measured. However, the equipment becomes heavier and less flexible when a rigid sensor, such as a potentiometer or an encoder, is used. The sensor should be flexible in order to take advantage of the favorable properties of the McKibben actuator. The aim of this study is to measure the length of the actuator without loss of its advantages. We propose a method of estimating the length from the circumferential displacement, which can be measured by a sensor made of electroconductive, flexible rubber. Higher accuracy is obtained by measuring the circumferential displacement than by measuring the axial displacement using this sensor. The sensor’s flexibility enables us to accurately control the actuator without any loss of flexibility or increase in weight. Furthermore, the sensor does not require the attachment of any rigid fixtures. The accuracy of the estimate is successfully evaluated and the usefulness of the proposed method is verified through its application to a multi-link arm driven by the McKibben actuator.
Cite this article as:
S. Kuriyama, M. Ding, Y. Kurita, J. Ueda, and T. Ogasawara, “Flexible Sensor for McKibben Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Actuator,” Int. J. Automation Technol., Vol.3 No.6, pp. 731-740, 2009.
Data files:
References
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Last updated on Oct. 01, 2024