Wire rod linear actuator seals inspired by earthworm: tube seal

Abstract

This Letter presents a flexible wire-driven linear actuator using a bio-inspired sealing method that allows to replace a rigid rod by a flexible one and reduce the size of a robot link containing pneumatic or hydraulic linear actuators. Conventional pneumatic or hydraulic linear actuator sealing hinders the use of flexible wires as actuator rods. In contrast, the proposed tube sealing resembles a long balloon wrapping around the wire and stretching or contracting with the wire rod motion. Therefore, the wire is separated from the chamber and prevents fluid leakage through the flexible wire rod. This sealing method is inspired by earthworm which has slippery skin and stretching or contracting motion. The authors fabricated a prototype wire rod pneumatic linear actuator using the proposed tube seal and conducted leakage tests. In addition, the authors evaluated linearity between the input pressure and output force to determine the linear actuator performance.