Robotic hand with locking mechanism using TCP muscles for applications in prosthetic hand and humanoids

Lokesh Saharan; Yonas Tadesse

doi:10.1117/12.2219535

22 April 2016 Robotic hand with locking mechanism using TCP muscles for applications in prosthetic hand and humanoids

Lokesh Saharan, Yonas Tadesse

Proceedings Volume 9797, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2016; 97970V (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2219535
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Abstract

This paper presents a biomimetic, lightweight, 3D printed and customizable robotic hand with locking mechanism consisting of Twisted and Coiled Polymer (TCP) muscles based on nylon precursor fibers as artificial muscles. Previously, we have presented a small-sized biomimetic hand using nylon based artificial muscles and fishing line muscles as actuators. The current study focuses on an adult-sized prosthetic hand with improved design and a position/force locking system. Energy efficiency is always a matter of concern to make compact, lightweight, durable and cost effective devices. In natural human hand, if we keep holding objects for long time, we get tired because of continuous use of energy for keeping the fingers in certain positions. Similarly, in prosthetic hands we also need to provide energy continuously to artificial muscles to hold the object for a certain period of time, which is certainly not energy efficient. In this work we, describe the design of the robotic hand and locking mechanism along with the experimental results on the performance of the locking mechanism.

Citation Download Citation

Lokesh Saharan and Yonas Tadesse "Robotic hand with locking mechanism using TCP muscles for applications in prosthetic hand and humanoids", Proc. SPIE 9797, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2016, 97970V (22 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2219535

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