Abstract
Resonance is known to reduce the input energy requirements of various actuator systems. The favorable effects of resonance, however, are limited to a narrow frequency range. To overcome this limitation, we describe a general framework for using discrete units of inertia that can be activated in a binary sense to move a resonant frequency across a desired frequency range. We also enumerate the generalized physical cases in which actuators can energetically benefit from resonance. We develop closed-form optimal results for the idealized case of two binary additive inertial units and extend this to a general optimization scheme for higher numbers of units that introduce parasitic friction and added stiffness. We illustrate the concept of binary tuning with a representative linear translational system powered by a voice coil motor (VCM). The experimental results show good agreement with the intended theoretical design and show the general utility of the binary additive inertia approach.