Quasi-Wireless Capacitive Power Transfer for Wire-Free Robotic Joints

Robotics is a highly active, multidisciplinary research area with a broad list of applications. A large research focus is to enhance modularity in order to expand kinematic capabilities, lower fabrication time, and reduce construction costs. Traditional wiring within a robot presents major challenges with mobility and long-term maintenance. Designing robotics without wires would make a significant functional impact. This work presents a new application of quasi-wireless capacitive power transfer that investigates impedance matching parameters over a highly resonant, coupled transmission line to achieve efficient power transfer over a robotic chassis. A prototype is developed and its operating metrics are analyzed with regard to the matching parameters.