A Dual-Morphing Pneumatic Origami Gripper
Journal
Actuators
Journal Volume
14
Journal Issue
4
Start Page
166
ISSN
20760825
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Abstract
In this work, we propose a lightweight pneumatic gripper that can grasp objects from either the outer or inner surfaces. Inspired by the Miura-ori pattern, the gripper is fabricated by laminating films with different cutting patterns to form the crease lines and air chambers. The asymmetry in the thickness of the top and bottom sides of the air chambers causes the gripper’s end to rotate in a predetermined direction upon inflation, enabling a dual-morphing grasping action. The dual morphings include an outward grasping morphing (grasping from the outer surface) and an inward grasping morphing (grasping from the inner surface). The deflection of the gripper’s end, induced by the air chamber’s inflation, is theoretically analyzed using a simplified one-dimensional model. We conducted both finite element modeling and experimental measurements to investigate the influence of the air chamber’s design parameters. Weighing only 4.5 g, the gripper can lift objects more than ten times of its own weight. This study provides a valuable design insight for developing more flexible and adaptable soft grippers capable of holding objects with a wider range of geometrical characteristics.
Subjects
Dual Morphing
Miura-ori
Pneumatic-driven
Soft Gripper
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Type
journal article