Researchers created an energy-efficient electric motor actuator, utilizing clutches and springs to slash energy usage in dynamic tasks, using up to 97% performance enhancement and possible applications in robotics and assistive gadgets.”Rather than losing lots of electrical power to just sit there humming away and creating heat, our actuator utilizes these clutches to attain the extremely high levels of efficiency that we see from electric motors in constant procedures, without providing up on controllability and other features that make electrical motors appealing,” said Steve Collins, associate teacher of mechanical engineering and senior author of the paper.Springing into actionThe actuator works by harnessing the ability of springs to produce force without using energy– springs withstand being stretched out and attempt to rebound to their natural length when launched. By locking the springs in the stretched-out position, that energy can be saved to assist the motor in another job later on on.The secret to engaging and disengaging the springs quickly and efficiently is a series of electroadhesive clutches. Each rubber spring is sandwiched in between two clutches: one that connects the spring to the joint to help the motor and one that locks the spring in a stretched position when its not being used.These clutches consist of 2 electrodes– one attached to the spring and one attached to the frame or motor– that slide smoothly previous each other when they arent active.
“Rather than wasting lots of electricity to just sit there humming away and generating heat, our actuator uses these clutches to attain the really high levels of performance that we see from electric motors in constant procedures, without providing up on controllability and other features that make electrical motors appealing,” said Steve Collins, associate teacher of mechanical engineering and senior author of the paper.Springing into actionThe actuator works by utilizing the ability of springs to produce force without using energy– springs resist being stretched out and try to rebound to their natural length when launched. By locking the springs in the stretched-out position, that energy can be stored to help the motor in another job later on.The secret to engaging and disengaging the springs quickly and efficiently is a series of electroadhesive clutches. Each rubber spring is sandwiched between two clutches: one that connects the spring to the joint to assist the motor and one that locks the spring in a stretched position when its not being used.These clutches consist of two electrodes– one attached to the spring and one attached to the frame or motor– that slide efficiently past each other when they arent active.
