Evaluation of pneumatic cylinder actuators for hand prostheses

B. Peerdeman, Gerwin Smit, Stefano Stramigioli, Dick Plettenburg, Sarthak Misra

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

    9 Citations (Scopus)
    1 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    DC motors are currently the preferred actuation method for externally powered hand prostheses. However, they are often heavy and large, which limits the number of actuators that can be integrated into the prosthesis. Alternative actuation methods are being researched, but have not yet found wide application. In this paper, a thin-walled pneumatic cylinder actuator is implemented to move a single-DOF prosthetic hand. Its performance is compared to that of a commercially available DC motor. Both systems are evaluated on speed, responsiveness, and energy capacity. Other properties such as size and mass are also taken into account. While the pneumatic cylinder is capable of high speeds and forces while remaining lightweight, quiet and small, it can prove difficult to control. Improvements to the cylinder design and valve system are recommended, in order to develop the potential of pneumatic cylinder actuators in modern multifunctional hand prostheses.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publication2012 4th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)
    Place of PublicationPiscataway, NJ
    PublisherIEEE
    Pages1104-1109
    Number of pages6
    ISBN (Print)978-1-4577-1199-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 24 Jun 2012
    Event4th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2012 - TBD, Rome, Italy
    Duration: 24 Jun 201227 Jun 2012
    Conference number: 4

    Publication series

    NameIEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics (BioRob)
    PublisherIEEE Robotics and Automation Society
    Volume2012
    ISSN (Print)2155-1774
    ISSN (Electronic)2155-1782

    Conference

    Conference4th IEEE RAS & EMBS International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, BioRob 2012
    Abbreviated titleBioRob
    Country/TerritoryItaly
    CityRome
    Period24/06/1227/06/12

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