Dynamic surfaces

Year

1996 – 2003

The idea

The pneumatic broad-surfaced muscles act like their counterparts in the human body.

The objective

When the dynamic surfaces are pneumatically or hydraulically activated, they generate three-dimensional contraction patterns.

Technical data

• Material: foil or coated fabric

Operating principle

Two membranes are laid flat together, are given a pattern of welded stitches and are sealed airtight. When a differential pressure is built up between them, they contract and distort. Their spatial curvature gives rise to indentations or edges. The shape is determined by the specific configuration of the connections between the membranes, which define the direction of contraction in the plane.

Potential

The dynamic surfaces are adaptable, giving rise to a wide variety of possible shapes. In order to increase the bending forces that these structures can absorb and to enable the surface muscles to be used as actuators, a combination with semi-rigid materials is conceivable. Their applications range from private consumer goods to industry and medical technology.