Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

A Fluid-Filled Tubular Dielectric Elastomer Variable Stiffness Structure Inspired by the Hydrostatic Skeleton Principle

  • Tao Wang
  • , Yue Li
  • , Yuanjie Li
  • , Jinhua Zhang
  • , Jun Hong
  • , Michael Yu Wang
  • Xi'an Jiaotong University
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work presents a novel variable stiffness structure consisting of a fiber-constrained dielectric elastomer tube filled with insulating oil. The tensile stiffness of the structure can be adjusted by voltages and its initial value can be customized according to the initial pre-stretch of the material. The structure has a dimension of ∼30 mm diameter × 50 mm length. A mathematical analysis is established to predict the initial tensile stiffness of the structure. The changes of the tensile stiffness of the structure under voltages are verified experimentally. The results show a decrease of the tensile stiffness of the device by 25% at 4 kV and the decrement is also related to the elongation of the structure. With different pre-stretches and dimensions of the dielectric elastomer, one can obtain devices with different variation ranges of tensile stiffness.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2018
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1553-1558
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781538630815
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Sep 2018
Event2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2018 - Brisbane, Australia
Duration: 21 May 201825 May 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings - IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation
ISSN (Print)1050-4729

Conference

Conference2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, ICRA 2018
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityBrisbane
Period21/05/1825/05/18

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Fluid-Filled Tubular Dielectric Elastomer Variable Stiffness Structure Inspired by the Hydrostatic Skeleton Principle'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this