Abstract
We propose a muscle actuator with tendon-like structures to mimic configurations of our body. In the muscle actuator, two muscles are arranged in plane symmetry to a link mechanism, and tendon-like structures are located between the edges of the muscles and the link mechanism. Because deformation of the tendon-like structures prevent the muscles from deforming, the link mechanism can rotate smoothly. Moreover, selective contraction of each muscle allowed the actuator to drive bidirectionally. From tetanic contraction results, we show that the strain of contracted muscle is about 20%, similar to that of our body. We believe that the muscle actuator is useful not only as an in vivo-like actuator in biorobotics field, but also for revealing biological properties of muscles in our body.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2014 |
| Publisher | Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society |
| Pages | 18-20 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780979806476 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2014 - San Antonio, United States Duration: 2014 Oct 26 → 2014 Oct 30 |
Other
| Other | 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, MicroTAS 2014 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | San Antonio |
| Period | 14/10/26 → 14/10/30 |
Keywords
- Bioactuator
- Hydrogel
- Muscle
- Tendon
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Control and Systems Engineering