Technical simulation of the biological muscle principle as a technical muscle. Robot resembling an animal or a human being and having technical muscles. Parts of this robot as prostheses. Further applications of the muscle: as lifting and tensioning device, as muscle motor, for positioning of an object by several muscles, as adjustment means for the range of spring

摘要

The technical muscles are a simulation of human and animal muscles. They are designed as network muscles and formed by a flexible container and a net which is not stretchable lengthwise. The container can be filled with a liquid or a gas. As a result it expands and shortens the longitudinal extension of the net. This force is utilised technically. The tubular muscle or multiple (multi)tube muscle is designed as a thin-walled elongate tube which has a tensioning and filling/draining device on both ends. During filling, the wall becomes spherically convex and shortens the stretch length. Application of the technical muscles as prosthetic muscles, lifting/tensioning device, spring tensioner and adjuster, positioner and muscle motor, and as robot. For use, a tensioning and filling valve is required. Control is effected via pressure and drainage lines. These are actuated electronically and by control valves. The electronics comprise sensors, receivers and computers. Simple controls are possible mechanically. The pressure is achieved by a pump or gravity/gradient. <IMAGE>