Variable Stiffness Springs for Energy Storage Applications
Sung Y. Kim,Tiange Zhang,David J. Braun,Sung Y. Kim,Tiange Zhang,David J. Braun
Theory suggests an inverse relation between the stiffness and the energy storage capacity for linear helical springs: reducing the active length of the spring by 50% increases its stiffness by 100%, but reduces its energy storage capacity by 50%. State-of-the-art variable stiffness actuators used to drive robots are characterized by a similar inverse relation, implying reduced energy storage capac...
