Design of Variable Stiffness Actuator Based on Modified Gear–Rack Mechanism

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Xiaoyue Fu ◽  
Yangmin Li ◽  
Chao Yun
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Elastic Beam ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Uncertain Environments ◽  
Mechanics Model ◽  
Speed Reducer ◽  
Stiffness Profile ◽  
Gear Rack ◽  
Rack Mechanism

Variable stiffness actuators (VSAs) can improve the robot's performance during interactions with human and uncertain environments. Based on the modified gear–rack mechanism, a VSA with a third-power stiffness profile is designed. The proposed mechanism, used to vary the joint stiffness, is placed between the output end and the joint speed reducer. Both the elastic element and the regulating mechanism are combined into the modified gear–rack (MGR), which is modeled as an elastic beam clamped at the middle position. Two pairs of spur gears are engaged with the rack and considered as the variable acting positions of supporting forces. The joint stiffness is inversely proportional to the third power of the gear displacement, independent from the joint position and the joint deflection angle. The gear displacement is perpendicular to the loading torque, so the power consumed by the stiffness-regulating action is low (14.4 W). The working principle and the mechanics model are illustrated, and then, the mechanical design is presented. The validity of the VSA is proved by simulations and experiments.

Design and implementation of a variable stiffness actuator based on flexible gear rack mechanism

Robotica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Xiaoyue Fu ◽  
Yangmin Li ◽  
Chao Yun
Keyword(s):  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Power Cost ◽  
Linear Elastic ◽  
Mechanics Model ◽  
Angular Deflection ◽  
Rotational Joint ◽  
Gear Rack ◽  
Rack Mechanism ◽  
Flexible Gear

SUMMARYVariable stiffness can improve the capability of human–robot interacting. Based on the mechanism of a flexible rack and gear, a rotational joint actuator named vsaFGR is proposed to regulate the joint stiffness. The flexible gear rack can be regarded as a combination of a non-linear elastic element and a linear adjusting mechanism, providing benefits of compactness. The joint stiffness is in the range of 217–3527 N.m/rad, and it is inversely proportional to the 4th-order of the gear displacement, and nearly independent from the joint angular deflection, providing benefits of quick stiffness regulation in a short displacement of 20 mm. The gear displacement with respect to the flexible gear rack is perpendicular to the joint loading force, so the power required for stiffness regulating is as low as 14.4 W, providing benefits of energy saving. The working principles of vsaFGR are elaborated, followed by presentation on the mechanics model and the prototype. The high compactness, great stiffness range and low power cost of vsaFGR are proved by simulations and experiments.

scholarly journals Development of an Exoskeleton-Type Assist Suit Utilizing Variable Stiffness Control Devices Based on Human Joint Characteristics

Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Seigo Kimura ◽  
Ryuji Suzuki ◽  
Katsuki Machida ◽  
Masashi Kashima ◽  
Manabu Okui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Artificial Muscle ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Joint Characteristics ◽  
Standing Up ◽  
Maximum Decrease ◽  
Control Devices ◽  
The Relationship

In this paper, the prototype of the assistive suit for lower limbs was developed. The prototype was based on an assist method with joint stiffness and antagonized angle control. The assist method comprises a system consisting of a pneumatic artificial muscle and a pull spring, which changes the joint stiffness and the antagonized angle to correspond to the movement phase and aims at coordinated motion assistance with the wearer. First, the characteristics of the developed prototype were tested. It was confirmed that the measured value of the prototype followed the target value in the relationship between torque and angle. In addition, there was hysteresis in the measured value, but it did not affect the assist. Next, the evaluation of standing-up and gait assist by measuring electromyography (EMG) of the knee extensor muscle was conducted using the prototype. In all subjects, a decrease in EMG due to the assist was confirmed. In one subject, the maximum decrease rate at the peak of the EMG was about 50% for standing-up motion and about 75% for gait motion. From the results of these assist evaluations, the effectiveness of the assist method based on the joint stiffness and antagonistic angle control using the prototype was confirmed.

scholarly journals Design and Analysis of a Novel Variable Stiffness Joint for Robot

2018 ◽  
Vol 249 ◽  
pp. 03005
Author(s):  
Xiang Zhang ◽  
Twan Capehart ◽  
Carl A. Moore
Keyword(s):  
High Frequency ◽  
Joint Stiffness ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Robotic Systems ◽  
Compliant Joint ◽  
Variable Transmission ◽  
Application Requirements ◽  
Base Application ◽  
Robotic Applications ◽  
Human Robotic Interaction

As people pay more attention to the safety of human-robotic interaction, the flexibility of machine joints is becoming more and more important. To address the needs of future robotic applications, many kinds of variable stiffness mechanisms have been designed by scientists. But most of the structures are complex. By studying and comparing many different mechanism designs of variable stiffness joint, we recognize the need to miniaturization and reduce weight of variable stiffness joints with high frequency operation. To address this, need a continuously Variable Compliant Joint (CVCJ) was designed. The core of the joint is based on the structure of the spherical continuously variable transmission (SCVT) which is the catalyst to change the stiffness continuously and smoothly. In this paper, we present a compact variable stiffness joint structure to meet the volume and weight requirements of the future robotic systems. We show the connection between the joint stiffness coefficient and the structure parameters by making mathematical analysis, modelling and simulation for the system to verify the ability to satisfy the base application requirements of the compliant joint.

scholarly journals Equivalent Electronic Circuit of a System of Oscillators Connected With Periodically Variable Stiffness

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumyajit Seth ◽  
Grzegorz Kudra ◽  
Krzysztof Witkowski ◽  
Jan Awrejcewicz
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical System ◽  
Electronic Circuit ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Fixed Point Attractor ◽  
Point Attractor ◽  
Magnetic Resistance ◽  
Nonlinear Behaviors ◽  
Resistance Forces

In this paper, we have shown the electronic circuit equivalence of a mechanical system consists of two oscillators coupled with each other. The mechanical design has the effects of the magnetic, resistance forces and the spring constant of the system is periodically varying. We have shown that the system’s state variables, such as the displacements and the velocities, under the effects of different forces, lead to some nonlinear behaviors, like a transition from the fixed point attractor to the chaotic attractor through the periodic and quasi-periodic attractors. We have constructed the equivalent electronic circuit of this mechanical system and have verified the numerically obtained behaviors using the electronic circuit.

Design of a Variable Stiffness Actuator Based on Flexures

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Palli ◽  
Giovanni Berselli ◽  
Claudio Melchiorri ◽  
Gabriele Vassura
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Robot Interaction ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Variable Stiffness Actuator ◽  
Robotic Devices ◽  
Stiffness Profile ◽  
Variable Stiffness Actuators

Variable stiffness actuators can be used in order to achieve a suitable trade-off between performance and safety in robotic devices for physical human–robot interaction. With the aim of improving the compactness and the flexibility of existing mechanical solutions, a variable stiffness actuator based on the use of flexures is investigated. The proposed concept allows the implementation of a desired stiffness profile and range. In particular, this paper reports a procedure for the synthesis of a fully compliant mechanism used as a nonlinear transmission element, together with its experimental characterization. Finally, a preliminary prototype of the overall joint is depicted.

scholarly journals Design, Dynamics Analysis, and Real-Time Stiffness Control of a Variable Stiffness Joint

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Yang Yu ◽  
Shimin Wei ◽  
Qiunan Ji ◽  
Zheng Yang
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Elastic Deformation ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Dynamical Model ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
Stiffness Control ◽  
Stiffness Adjustment

This paper proposes a variable stiffness joint based on a symmetrical crank slider mechanism (SCM-VSJ). Firstly, the mechanical design and the working principle of the variable stiffness joint is described, and its stiffness regulation characteristics are studied. Secondly, the dynamical model of variable stiffness joint including joint motor, harmonic reducer and stiffness adjustment motor is established, in addition, the transmission mechanism of the crank slider mechanism and the elastic deformation of the spring bar are considered in the dynamic modeling. Finally, in order to control the dynamic stiffness of the variable stiffness joint in real time, a kind of improved PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control algorithm based on feed-forward and feedback closed-loop is proposed on the basis of the existing dynamical model, and the simulation analysis of real-time tracking control of dynamic stiffness for sinusoidal wave expected stiffness signal and random expected stiffness signal is carried out respectively. The research shows that the real-time stiffness control of SCM-VSJ can be realized effectively, and during the stiffness adjustment process, the output torque of the stiffness adjustment motor will be affected by the elastic deformation of the spring bar.

Application of a Biphasic Actuator in the Design of a Robot Gripper for Garment Handling

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loan Le ◽  
Matteo Zoppi ◽  
Michal Jilich ◽  
Han Bo ◽  
Dimiter Zlatanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic System ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Variable Stiffness ◽  
Robot System ◽  
Robot Gripper ◽  
Task Requirements ◽  
Grasping And Manipulation ◽  
Variable Stiffness Actuator

The paper describes a novel robot gripper for garment handling. The device has been designed, developed, prototyped, and tested within the CloPeMa European Project creating a robot system for automated manipulation of clothing and other textile items. The gripper has two degrees of freedom and includes both rigid and flexible elements. A variable-stiffness actuator has been implemented to add controlled compliance in the gripper’s operation allowing the combining of various grasping and manipulation tasks. First, we analyze the specific application-determined task requirements, focusing on the need for adaptive flexibility and the role of compliant elements in the design. The chosen solution is a simple planar mechanism, equipped with one standard and one variable-stiffness actuator. The mechanical design of the gripper, including the hydraulic system used in the biphasic actuator, is outlined, and the control architecture, using sensor feedback, is described.

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