Development of rubberless artificial muscle and fundamental characteristics

This paper describes development and fundamental characteristics of a rubberless artificial muscle. The rubberless artificial muscle is used for an aluminum vapor deposition polyester sheet of non-expansion and contraction material in substitution for rubber. Measurements of fundamental characteristics confirmed that the rubberless artificial muscle is superior to a McKibben artificial muscle in contractive force and contraction displacement. We confirmed that the rubberless artificial muscle converts pressure more efficiently into contractive force and contraction displacement. The sleeve friction was improved greatly when we used an aluminum vapor deposition polyester sheet. Consequently, the improvement of the friction deterioration by the sleeve is expected.