Development of ER Actuator and Basic Study on its Force Control System

Abstract

We developed a high-performance actuator using particle-type ER fluid. This ER actuator have high torque/inertia ratio, and can respond quickly. In this paper, the force control properties of this actuator were examined experimentally. Firstly, we developed the model of ER actuator based on experiments. Then the feedback control system is designed by H∞ control theory. Lastly, the proposed control system is examined by experiments.