On the modeling for position control of fishing-line artificial muscle with switching between heating and forced air cooling

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in polymer actuators. In particular, the fishing-line artificial muscle has the features of light weight, flexibility, and high generating force. However, the response is low because it is driven by heat. In this study, we aim to improve not only the heating rate but also the cooling rate. The position of the fishing-line artificial muscle is controlled by Joule heating with Nichrome wire and forced air cooling with a fan. Modeling and simulation are discussed for the control system design. As a result, the usefulness of the feedback control of the fan and the validity of the simulation were confirmed.