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Design and performance analysis of a novel swimming robot with waterbomb origami wheel

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Abstract

This paper proposes a novel swimming robot with waterbomb origami wheel. The wheel of the swimming robot is a waterbomb origami that acts like a paddle blade. The origami wheel provides a new propulsion way for the swimming vehicle. The propulsion principle is to use the water flow to push the origami structure like the blade to propel it move forward. The analytical model describing the mechanical behavior of the origami wheel was built to illustrate the superior swimming characteristics of the robot. The model uncovers propulsive force variation with respect to origami structure parameters. The prototypes of the swimming robot are manufactured to analyze the influence of the structural parameters on their performances such as swimming speed, steering, and propulsive force. The analysis results showed that the proposed swimming robot has advantages such as high propulsion force and fast response. Meanwhile, it provides a guideline for the structural design of the origami wheel that enables it to be suitable to swim in the water. In a word, the origami wheel provides a light and efficient propulsion for swimming vehicles. The origami wheel provides a novel and simple propulsion way for swimming vehicles, and the structure promotes the development of a new class of swimming vehicles.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52165011, 51865016), Jiangxi Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province - Key Project (2020 ACBL204009), Jiangxi Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (20212BAB204028), Science and the Program of Qingjiang Excellent Young Talents, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology (JXUSTQJBJ2018006).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, 341000, China

    Junfeng Hu & Ning Zhang

Authors
  1. Junfeng Hu
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  2. Ning Zhang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Junfeng Hu.

Additional information

Junfeng Hu is a Professor at the School of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, China. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from South Chin-a University of Technology. His research interests include Origami robot, compliant mechanism and soft robot.

Ning Zhang is currently a M.E. candidate at the School of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, China. His research interests include origami robots.

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Hu, J., Zhang, N. Design and performance analysis of a novel swimming robot with waterbomb origami wheel. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 4837–4846 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0836-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0836-4

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