Rocking, Rolling, and Hopping: Exploring the Multi-motion Capabilities of Rigid and Soft Ellipsoidal Actuators

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Chen, Shih-Yuan, Driscoll, Michelle M.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Chen, Shih-Yuan
Driscoll, Michelle M.
author_facet Chen, Shih-Yuan
Driscoll, Michelle M.
contents The problem of a rigid disk rolling down a ramp is a classic problem given to students in introductory mechanics courses. In contrast, systematic studies on the rolling behavior of an ellipse have only recently emerged. Unlike a rolling disk, here the geometric center remains at a constant height from the floor, the center of a rotating ellipse changes nonlinearly due to its eccentric shape. This eccentricity introduces new modes of motion beyond rolling, including rocking and hopping. Leveraging this multi-motion behavior, we design an ellipsoidal actuator which exhibits both rolling and hopping behaviors in response to changes in the applied angular velocity. Using a simple geometric framework, we successfully capture the motion of the actuator as a force-driven rigid ellipsoid on a non-slip flat surface, and identify the critical angular velocity for the rolling-to-hopping transition. Furthermore, by adding deformability to the actuator, we unlock new functionalities, enabling soft actuators that can climb slopes and work together to collectively ascend stairs.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_07396
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Rocking, Rolling, and Hopping: Exploring the Multi-motion Capabilities of Rigid and Soft Ellipsoidal Actuators
Chen, Shih-Yuan
Driscoll, Michelle M.
Soft Condensed Matter
The problem of a rigid disk rolling down a ramp is a classic problem given to students in introductory mechanics courses. In contrast, systematic studies on the rolling behavior of an ellipse have only recently emerged. Unlike a rolling disk, here the geometric center remains at a constant height from the floor, the center of a rotating ellipse changes nonlinearly due to its eccentric shape. This eccentricity introduces new modes of motion beyond rolling, including rocking and hopping. Leveraging this multi-motion behavior, we design an ellipsoidal actuator which exhibits both rolling and hopping behaviors in response to changes in the applied angular velocity. Using a simple geometric framework, we successfully capture the motion of the actuator as a force-driven rigid ellipsoid on a non-slip flat surface, and identify the critical angular velocity for the rolling-to-hopping transition. Furthermore, by adding deformability to the actuator, we unlock new functionalities, enabling soft actuators that can climb slopes and work together to collectively ascend stairs.
title Rocking, Rolling, and Hopping: Exploring the Multi-motion Capabilities of Rigid and Soft Ellipsoidal Actuators
topic Soft Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.07396