Model based design of antagonistic shape memory alloy spring devices

Shape memory alloy actuated devices employing a network of antagonistic components can reach an equilibrium of the internal forces by multiple sets of individual force magnitudes. In networks of star topologies particularly, the actuators are placed radially with one end connected at a common node. The ability to produce multiple sets of force equilibria suggests then that similar motions of the common node correspond to different thermomechanical paths. Two factors linked to this behavior are examined in this work, namely the initial design of the antagonistic system and the operational profile used during actuation. A shape memory alloy model is initially constructed based on an elementary hysteresis operator to produce a direct representation of the shape memory alloy behavior in the force–deformation plane. This description enables the identification of the operating point for the actuator by the geometric relationship of these models. In the second part, the placement of the antagonists is guided by the model based on specifications on the range of the workspace and the internal forces. The antagonistic operation is finally compared, in terms of time, work produced, and energy consumption, for a bang-bang (minimum time controller for the actuator) and a bang-off-bang (minimum internal forces for the system) actuation scheme.