Connectors Based on 2-Way SMA Actuator for Self-reconfigurable Chain Robots

Self-reconfigurable modular robots have shown great potential in carrying out multiple tasks in different conditions. A connection of both flexibility and reliability is critical for realizing the docking and transformation of the modular robots. We propose a new design of connectors based on SMA which has the advantages of high autonomy, small size and high speed. The couples of connectors consist of active and passive connector. In the active connector, a two-way rotary SMA actuator is used as the actuation mechanism. The double-layer cam and claws are used as an executive mechanism. The passive connector can be securely docked in five different facets for 3D reconfigurations. The multisensory system and hardware architecture provide the foundation for control strategies. The design and the prototype of the connector are described in this paper. Finally, experimental results to evaluate the performance of docking are presented.