Air muscle at work
Air muscles (VM) are devices that contract or stretch under the influence of air pressure. They are an airtight shell in a casing woven from inextensible threads. Like human muscles , BMs are usually used in pairs: one flexor and one extensor.
BMs were developed (original name: McKibben Artificial Muscles ) in the 1950s for use in prostheses.
Benefits
- VMs are lightweight.
- They have a simple design.
Weaknesses
- For VM operation, a valve system and compressor are required.
- VM dynamics are described by a nonlinear system , which, however, is close in properties to biological muscles.
- The pneumomuscular system is sensitive to environmental pressure. It changes its characteristics, or even makes the system impossible.
See also
- Electroactive Polymers
- Pneumatic drive