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Control Device
About Control Device
Here are two types of control devices that regulate airflow, which is necessary to stretch
and contract artificial muscles.
Valve
A valve is a switch that turns the flow of air ON and OFF.
The relaxing and contracting action of the artificial muscle is controlled by the ON/OFF action of the valve.
Flow Control Valve
(Needle Valve)
The valve reduces the amount of airflow.
Changing the amount of airflow changes the speed of relaxation and contraction of the artificial muscle.
Manual Valve
By placing a manual valve between the air pressure source and the artificial muscle as shown in the figure below, the artificial muscle can be switched to a relaxed or contracted state with a single lever operation. (Please check the figure and video below.)
As shown above, it is no longer necessary to readjust the set pressure at the air pressure source.
You can switch between relaxed and contracted artificial muscles just by operating the lever!
Air Pressure Source
【Image of Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Movement When Using Manual Valve】
Controller for Pneumatic Artificial Muscle "PMC series"
The controller for pneumatic artificial muscle "PMC" is equipped with five solenoid valves (valves that do not require manual operation) that are controlled ON/OFF by electric current.
Up to 5 artificial muscles can be programmed to turn ON/OFF electrically.
The timing and duration of contraction and relaxation of artificial muscles can be adjusted as required.
Toggle switch
It is also possible to turn the valve ON/OFF manually.
Arduino(micro controller）
You can program the ON/OFF timing, ON time, OFF time, etc. of the electrically operated valve (solenoid valve) for each valve.
Solenoid valve (5 units installed)Turn ON/OFF as programmed without manual operation.
Compressed air
【Pneumatic artificial muscle controller PMC introduction video】
Speed Control Valve
Control either relaxation or contraction of the artificial muscle
Let's put a manual valve and a speed controller between the air pressure source and the artificial muscle.
Then you can control either the speed at which the artificial muscle relaxes or contracts. (Please check the figure and video below.)
Because the air enters little by little, the speed of contraction slows down! (The speed of return to the original state remains the same)
Reduce the flow of air out of the artificial muscle (airflow from the air pressure source to the artificial muscle is normal)
Reduce the flow of air out of the artificial muscle (airflow from the air pressure source to the artificial muscle is normal)
Reduce the flow of air from the air pressure source to the artificial muscle (flow in the direction of exit from the artificial muscle is normal)
Air Pressure Source
【Relax side speed control】
Air Pressure Source
Artificial Muscle
【Image Video】
【Contract side speed control】
Air Pressure Source
Artificial Muscle
【Image Video】
By changing the connection direction of the speed controller,
it is possible to switch between expansion and contraction speed control.
(In the video, one end of the speed controller is marked with a yellow-green mark so that you can see the direction.)
Control both extension and contraction of artificial muscle
Next, insert a manual valve and a throttle valve between the air pressure source and the artificial muscle.
Then, it becomes possible to control the speed of both extension and contraction of the artificial muscle. (See video below.)
Air Pressure Source
Since the air enters and exits little by little, the speed of both contraction and return becomes slow!
Reduce airflow in both directions between the pneumatic source and the artificial muscle.
【Speed control on both expansion and contraction sides】
Air Pressure Source
Artificial Muscle
【Image Video】
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