Finite element analysis of piezoelectric strips for modifying ankle torques in active prosthetic feet - A pilot study

Thomas Powelson, Jingzhou Yang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the last fifty years there has been a steady advance in prosthetic foot technologies. These advances have primarily focused on more accurately mimicking the biologic foot for amputees. One field of research currently being explored is active/ powered prosthetic feet in which the movement of the foot is actively controlled through the use of electric motors. Some of these feet also seek to reproduce the ankle torques seen in the biologic foot. This paper proposes a novel method for more accurately reproducing these ankle torques through the use of piezoelectrics in conjunction with the electric motors. FEA software is used to simulate the modification of ankle torques through the use of piezoelectric bending actuators in a general case. A number of different configurations for the piezoelectric strips are examined to test the versatility of the piezoelectrics in this application. The general trends of the ankle torque vs gait cycle found in the literature have been reproduced in the simulations.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012
Pages133-141
Number of pages9
EditionPARTS A AND B
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012 - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Aug 12 2012Aug 12 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
NumberPARTS A AND B
Volume4

Conference

ConferenceASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period08/12/1208/12/12

Keywords

  • ABAQUS
  • Ankle angle
  • Ankle torque
  • Finite element analysis
  • Piezoelectrics
  • Prosthetic feet

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