Human Extenders

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (2B) ◽  
pp. 281-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kazerooni ◽  
Jenhwa Guo
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Mathematical Expression ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control

A human’s ability to perform physical tasks is limited by physical strength, not by intelligence. We coined the word “extenders” as a class of robot manipulators worn by humans to augment human mechanical strength, while the wearer’s intellect remains the central control system for manipulating the extender. Our research objective is to determine the ground rules for the control of robotic systems worn by humans through the design, construction, and control of several prototype experimental direct-drive/non-direct-drive multi-degree-of-freedom hydraulic/electric extenders. The design of extenders is different from the design of conventional robots because the extender interfaces with the human on a physical level. The work discussed in this article involves the dynamics and control of a prototype hydraulic six-degree-of-freedom extender. This extender’s architecture is a direct drive system with all revolue joints. Its linkage consists of two identical subsystems, the arm and the hand, each having three degrees of freedom. Two sets of force sensors measure the forces imposed on the extender by the human and by the environment (i.e., the load). The extender’s compliances in response to such contact forces were designed by selecting appropriate force compensators. The stability of the system of human, extender, and object being manipulated was analyzed. A mathematical expression for the extender performance was determined to quantify the force augmentation. Experimental studies on the control and performance of the experimental extender were conducted to verify the theoretical predictions.

scholarly journals Soft Spherical Tensegrity Robot Design Using Rod-Centered Actuation and Control

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee-Huang Chen ◽  
Kyunam Kim ◽  
Ellande Tang ◽  
Kevin Li ◽  
Richard House ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Robot Design ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Flexible Design ◽  
Spherical Robot ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control

This paper presents the design, analysis and testing of a fully actuated modular spherical tensegrity robot for co-robotic and space exploration applications. Robots built from tensegrity structures (composed of pure tensile and compression elements) have many potential benefits including high robustness through redundancy, many degrees of freedom in movement and flexible design. However to fully take advantage of these properties a significant fraction of the tensile elements should be active, leading to a potential increase in complexity, messy cable and power routing systems and increased design difficulty. Here we describe an elegant solution to a fully actuated tensegrity robot: The TT-3 (version 3) tensegrity robot, developed at UC Berkeley, in collaboration with NASA Ames, is a lightweight, low cost, modular, and rapidly prototyped spherical tensegrity robot. This robot is based on a ball-shaped six-bar tensegrity structure and features a unique modular rod-centered distributed actuation and control architecture. This paper presents the novel mechanism design, architecture and simulations of TT-3, the first untethered, fully actuated cable-driven six-bar tensegrity spherical robot ever built and tested for mobility. Furthermore, this paper discusses the controls and preliminary testing performed to observe the system’s behavior and performance.

DYNAMICS AND CONTROL OF A TWO-DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM VIBRATION-DRIVEN SYSTEM

2007 ◽  
Vol 40 (14) ◽  
pp. 109-114
Author(s):  
Nikolai N. Bolotnik ◽  
Mikhail Pivovarov ◽  
Igor Zeidis ◽  
Klaus Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Driven System ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Two Degree Of Freedom

Dynamics and Control of Robotic Systems Worn by Humans

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kazerooni ◽  
S. L. Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Material Handling ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Load Force ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Direct Drive ◽  
Human Arm ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
Physical Interfaces ◽  
And Control

This article describes the dynamics, control, and stability of extenders, robotic systems worn by humans for material handling tasks. Extenders are defined as robot manipulators which extend (i.e., increase) the strength of the human arm in load maneuvering tasks, while the human maintains control of the task. Part of the extender motion is caused by physical power from the human; the rest of the extender motion results from force signals measured at the physical interfaces between the human and the extender, and the load and the extender. Therefore, the human wearing the extender exchanges both power and information signals with the extender. The control technique described here lets the designer define an arbitrary relationship between the human force and the load force. A set of experiments on a two-dimensional non-direct-drive extender were done to verify the control theory.

Influences of Arm Proprioception and Degrees of Freedom on Postural Control With Light Touch Feedback

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ely Rabin ◽  
Paul DiZio ◽  
Joel Ventura ◽  
James R. Lackner
Keyword(s):  
Postural Control ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Tactile Feedback ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Light Touch ◽  
Postural Stabilization ◽  
And Control

Lightly touching a stable surface with one fingertip strongly stabilizes standing posture. The three main features of this phenomenon are fingertip contact forces maintained at levels too low to provide mechanical support, attenuation of postural sway relative to conditions without fingertip touch, and center of pressure (CP) lags changes in fingertip shear forces by ∼250 ms. In the experiments presented here, we tested whether accurate arm proprioception and also whether the precision fingertip contact afforded by the arm's many degrees of freedom are necessary for postural stabilization by finger contact. In our first experiment, we perturbed arm proprioception and control with biceps brachii vibration (120-Hz, 2-mm amplitude). This degraded postural control, resulting in greater postural sway amplitudes. In a second study, we immobilized the touching arm with a splint. This prevented precision fingertip contact but had no effect on postural sway amplitude. In both experiments, the correlation and latency of fingertip contact forces to postural sway were unaffected. We conclude that postural control is executed based on information about arm orientation as well as tactile feedback from light touch, although precision fingertip contact is not essential. The consistent correlation and timing of CP movement and fingertip forces across conditions in which postural sway amplitude and fingertip contact are differentially disrupted suggests posture and the fingertip are controlled in parallel with feedback from the fingertip in this task.

Multivariable Control Design for a Bilateral Telemanipulator

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin B. Fite ◽  
Michael Goldfarb
Keyword(s):  
Impedance Control ◽  
Singular Values ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Stability Robustness ◽  
Remote Environment ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Three Degree Of Freedom ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Methodology

This paper presents an architecture and control methodology for a multi-degree-of-freedom teleoperator system. The approach incorporates impedance control of the telemanipulator pair and formulates the system as a single feedback loop encompassing the human operator, telemanipulator, and remote environment. In so doing, multivariable Nyquist-like techniques are used to design compensation for enhanced stability robustness and performance. A measure of the transparency exhibited by the multivariable teleoperator system is attained using matrix singular values. The approach is experimentally demonstrated on a three degree-of-freedom scaled telemanipulator pair with a highly coupled environment. Using direct measurement of the power delivered to the operator to assess the system’s stability robustness, along with the proposed measure of multivariable transparency, the loop-shaping compensation is shown to improve the stability robustness by a factor of almost two and the transparency by more than a factor of five.

2 DOF Compliant 3D-PLE System Demonstrating Fundamentals of Vibrations and Passive Vibration Isolation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niko Giannakakos ◽  
Ayse Tekes ◽  
Tris Utschig
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Vibration Isolation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Educational Systems ◽  
Primary System ◽  
Laboratory Equipment ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
And Control

Abstract Mechanical engineering students often learn the fundamentals of vibrations along with the time response of underdamped, critically damped, and overdamped systems in machine dynamics and vibrations courses without any validation or visualization through hands-on experimental learning activities. As these courses are highly theoretical, students find it difficult to connect theory to practical fundamentals such as modeling of a mechanical system, finding components of the system using experimental data, designing a system to achieve a desired response, or designing a passive vibration isolator to reduce transmitted vibrations on a primary system. Further, available educational laboratory equipment demonstrating vibrations, dynamics and control is expensive, bulky, and not portable. To address these issues, we developed a low-cost, 3D printed, portable laboratory equipment (3D-PLE) system consisting of primary and secondary carts, rail, linear actuator, Arduino, and compliant flexures connecting the carts. Most of the educational systems consist of a mass limited to 1DOF motion and multi-degrees of freedom systems can be created using mechanical springs. However, in real-world applications oscillations in a system are not necessarily due to mechanical springs. Anything flexible, or thin and long, can be represented by a spring as seen in torsional systems. We incorporated 3D printed and two monolithically designed rigid arms connected with a flexure hinge of various stiffness. The carts are designed in a way such that two flexible links can be attached from both sides and allow more loads to be added on each cart. The system can be utilized to demonstrate fundamentals of vibrations and test designs of passive isolators to dampen the oscillations of the primary cart.

Preliminary Study of a Centrifugal Compressor With Counter-Rotating Impellers: Design and Performances Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abed Cheikh Brahim ◽  
Khelladi Sofiane ◽  
Deligant Michael ◽  
El Marjani Abdel ◽  
Farid Bakir
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Through Flow ◽  
Aerodynamic Performances ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Turbomachinery with double counter-rotating impellers offer more degrees of freedom in the choice of design and control parameters compared to conventional machines. For these innovative machines, the literature review shows that more published works are available concerning axial type turbomachines than centrifugal ones. This work deals with a preliminary design and performance analysis applied to two counter-rotating impellers of a centrifugal compressor. We present here the design practice developed based on 0D/1D models, also coupled with optimization and stream-curvature through-flow methods to satisfy the selected design-criteria. An analyze of aerodynamic performances results are made and compared to those available experimental and numerical data of a baseline configuration, composed of one centrifugal-impeller and a volute. The compressor studied here includes a first conventional impeller with an axial inlet and a mixed or centrifugal outlet. The second impeller is designed parametrically and can be considered as a rotating-diffuser with a radial or mixed inlet and outlet. Ultimately, the numerical simulation results of a selection of candidate solutions are discussed.

Advanced Hydraulically Actuated Patient Transfer Assist Device

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather C. Humphreys ◽  
Wayne J. Book
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Force Feedback ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Static Friction ◽  
Contact Forces ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Patient Transfer ◽  
Level Control ◽  
Hydraulically Actuated ◽  
Transfer Device

A new, advanced patient transfer device is being developed for moving mobility limited patients, for example, from a wheelchair to a bed or a floor into a chair. Current market patient lift devices are antiquated and insufficient for customer needs, with only one actuated degree of freedom. The high power to size ratio of hydraulic actuation makes it suitable for moving larger, heavier patients. We have developed a prototype pump-controlled hydraulically actuated patient transfer device that is more maneuverable and agile, using multiple actuated degrees of freedom. We are also working toward developing a more intuitive and safe caretaker interface and control strategy. We have performed an extensive needs assessment; these are a few associated key design requirements relevant to this presented work. A compact package is needed for ease of maneuvering the patient around obstacles in an uncertain environment. The device is capable of producing large forces, so it is desirable for the controller to minimize any unintentional large external contact forces, or provide force feedback. In this system, the caretaker and device work together to maneuver a complex payload, a human body; the operator’s mental workload must be minimized. With humans in the device workspace, safety and stability are necessary, including environment interactions. This new application presents several challenges related to the hydraulic control. First, we are using a separate bidirectional fixed displacement pump with a reversible brushed DC motor for each degree of freedom. The low level control involves obtaining desirable response from each motor-pump-actuator system, while compensating for significant static friction. At a higher level, we are testing several approaches to attain the desired intuitive control and desired dynamics, and minimize the operator workload. First, we are developing a coordinated control using a force input, such that the operator simply pushes on the device in the desired direction of motion. We are testing several different controllers to attain the desired dynamics. This paper presents the design of the machine, the proposed control structures as applied to this application, operator interface options, some preliminary results, and future work.

Six Degree of Freedom Active Isolation in Flexible Supporting Structures: Numerical Simulation and Experiment

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Cheng ◽  
Qian Zhou ◽  
Ge-Xue Ren ◽  
Hui Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Stewart Platform ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Active Isolation ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
Six Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Multi Body ◽  
And Control ◽  
Flexible Cables ◽  
Base Platform ◽  
Supporting Structures

This paper studies the six degree-of-freedom active isolation of flexible supporting structures using Gough-Stewart platform. The problem arises from a large radio telescope in which the astronomical equipment is mounted on a platform to be stabilized, while the base platform of the mechanism itself is carried by a cable car moving along flexible cables. In this paper, the stabilization problem is equivalent to a dynamics and control problem of multi-body system. A control law of the prediction of the base platform and PD feedback is proposed for the six actuators of the Gough-Stewart platform. Based on numerical results, a model experimental setup has been built up. The control effects are measured with LTD 500 Laser Tracker.

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