Flexible robotic actuators

摘要

The laminated robotic actuator includes a strain - limiting layer comprising a flexible, non - extensible material in the form of a sheet or thin film, a flexible inflatable layer in the form of a thin film or sheet in facing relationship with the strain - limiting layer, wherein the inflatable layer is selectively adhered to the strain - limiting layer, and wherein a portion of an un- adhered region between the strain - limiting layer and the inflatable layer defines a pressurizable channel, and at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pressurizable channel. The first flexible non - extensible material has a stiffness that is greater than the stiffness of the second flexible elastomeric material and the flexible elastomer is non - extensible under actuation conditions.