An Algorithm for the Broad Evaluation of Potential Matches between Actuator Concepts and Heavy-Duty Mobile Applications

In recent years, a variety of novel actuator concepts for the implements of heavy-duty mobile machines (HDMMs) has been proposed by industry and academia. Mostly, novel concepts aim at improving the typically low energy efficiency of state-of-the-art hydraulic valve-controlled actuators. However, besides energy-efficiency, many aspects that are crucial for a successful concept integration are often neglected in studies. Furthermore, most of the time, a specific HDMM is focused as an application while other HDMM types can show very different properties that might make a novel concept less suitable. In order to take more aspects and HDMM types into account when evaluating actuator concepts, this paper proposes a novel evaluation algorithm, which calculates so-called mismatch values for each potential actuator-application match, based on different problem aspects that can indicate a potential mismatch between a certain actuator concept and an HDMM. The lower the mismatch value, which depends on actuator characteristics as well as HDMM attributes, the more potential is the match. At the same time, the modular nature of the algorithm allows to evaluate a large number of possible matches at once, with low effort. For the performance demonstration of the algorithm, 36 potential matches formed out of six actuator concepts and six HDMM types are exemplarily evaluated. The resulting actuator concept ratings for the six different HDMMs are in line with general reasoning and confirm that the evaluation algorithm is a powerful tool to get a first, quick overview of a large solution space of actuator-HDMM matches. However, analyzing the limitations of the algorithm also shows that it cannot replace conventional requirements engineering and simulation studies if detailed and reliable results are required.

Preparation of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Physical Hydrogels for Actuator Application

In the present investigation, we prepared cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol-cellulose (PVA-Cell) physical hydrogels using a simple blending method for actuator application. The prepared hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and the surface and cross-section were studied by scanning electron microscopy. CNCs were well dispersed in the PVA-Cell hydrogel. In the preparation process, surface hydroxyl groups of the CNC and PVA-Cell matrix hydroxyl groups were interacted to produce uniform dispersion of CNCs in the hydrogels. Swelling behavior and compression studies revealed that the increase of the CNCs reinforced the crosslinking. The actuation test of the prepared hydrogels showed that the displacement linearly increased with the voltage, and the immense output displacement was observed at low CNC concentration. The prepared hydrogels are applicable for soft robot actuators and active lens.