Development and Performance Analysis of Pneumatic Soft-Bodied Bionic Actuator

Abstract

The design of a pneumatic soft-bodied bionic actuator derives from the structural characteristics and motion mechanism of biological muscles, combined with the nonlinear hyperelasticity of silica gel, which can improve the mobility and environmental adaptability of soft-bodied bionic robots. Based on Yeoh’s second-order constitutive model of silica gel, the deformation analysis model of the actuator is established, and the rationality of the structure design and motion forms of the actuator and the accuracy of the deformation analysis model are verified by using the numerical simulation algorithm. According to the physical model of the pneumatic soft-bodied bionic actuator, the motion and dynamic characteristics of the actuator are tested and analyzed, the curves of motion and dynamic characteristics of the actuator are obtained, and the empirical formula of the bending angle and driving torque of the actuator is fitted out. The results show that the deformation analysis model and numerical simulation method are accurate, and the pneumatic soft-bodied bionic actuator is feasible and effective, which can provide a design method and reference basis for the research and implementation of soft-bodied bionic robot actuator.