An Integrated Type and Dimensional Synthesis Method to Design One Degree-of-Freedom Planar Linkages With Only Revolute Joints for Exoskeletons

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zefang Shen ◽  
Garry Allison ◽  
Lei Cui

Exoskeletons can assist wearers to relearn natural movements when attached to the human body. However, most current devices are bulky and heavy, which limit their application. In this paper, we integrated type and dimensional synthesis to design one degree-of-freedom (DOF) linkages consisting of only revolute joints with multiple output joints for compact exoskeletons. Type synthesis starts from a four-bar linkage where the output link generates the first angular output. Then, an RRR dyad is connected to the four-bar linkage for the second angular output while ensuring that the overall DOF of the new mechanism is 1. A third output joint is added in a similar manner. During each step, dimensional synthesis is formulated as a constrained optimization problem and solved via genetic algorithms. In the first case study, we developed a finger exoskeleton based on a 10-bar-13-joint linkage for a natural curling motion. The second case study presents a leg exoskeleton based on an 8-bar-10-joint linkage to reproduce a natural walking gait at the hip and knee joints. We manufactured the exoskeletons to validate the proposed approach.

Author(s):  
Jianyou Han ◽  
Guangzhen Cui ◽  
Junjie Hu

This paper presents a systematic approach to perform the dimensional synthesis of spatial 5-SS (spherical-spherical) link-ages for six specified positions of the end-effector. The dimensional synthesis equations for a SS link are formulated and solved. We synthesize five SS links to connect the base and end-effector, and then obtain the one-degree-of-freedom spatial 5-SS linkage, which can move through six specified positions. We use the solution region method to build the planar solution region expressing the linkages, due to there are infinite linkages for six positions synthesis. It is convenient to select the linkages from the solution region for designers. The applicability of the proposed approach is illustrated by the example.


Author(s):  
Gim Song Soh ◽  
Nina Robson

In this paper, we consider the dimensional synthesis of one degree-of-freedom multi-loop planar linkages such that they do not violate normal direction and second order curvature constraints imposed by contact with objects. Our goal is in developing minimally actuated multi-loop mechanical devices for human-robot interaction, that is, devices whose tasks will happen in a human environment. Currently no systematic method exists for the kinematic synthesis of robotic fingers that incorporate multi-loop kinematic structure with second order task constraints, related to curvature. We show how to use these contact and curvature effects to formulate the synthesis equations for the design of a planar one-degree-of-freedom six-bar linkage. An example for the design of a finger that maintains a specified contact with an object, for an anthropomorphic task, is presented at the end of the paper. It is important to note, that the theoretical foundation presented in this paper, assists in solving some of the open problems of this field, providing preliminary results on the synthesis of kinematic chains with multi-loop topology and the use of novel task specifications that incorporate curvature constraints with future applications in grasping and object manipulation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xichun Nie ◽  
Venkat Krovi

Single degree-of-freedom coupled serial chain (SDCSC) mechanisms are a class of mechanisms that can be realized by coupling successive joint rotations of a serial chain linkage, by way of gears or cable-pulley drives. Such mechanisms combine the benefits of single degree-of-freedom design and control with the anthropomorphic workspace of serial chains. Our interest is in creating articulated manipulation-assistive aids based on the SDCSC configuration to work passively in cooperation with the human operator or to serve as a low-cost automation solution. However, as single-degree-of-freedom systems, such SDCSC-configuration manipulators need to be designed specific to a given task. In this paper, we investigate the development of a synthesis scheme, leveraging tools from Fourier analysis and optimization, to permit the end-effectors of such manipulators to closely approximate desired closed planar paths. In particular, we note that the forward kinematics equations take the form of a finite trigonometric series in terms of the input crank rotations. The proposed Fourier-based synthesis method exploits this special structure to achieve the combined number and dimensional synthesis of SDCSC-configuration manipulators for closed-loop planar path-following tasks. Representative examples illustrate the application of this method for tracing candidate square and rectangular paths. Emphasis is also placed on conversion of computational results into physically realizable mechanism designs.


Author(s):  
Marti´n A. Pucheta ◽  
Alberto Cardona

We present an automated method for type and dimensional synthesis of planar linkage mechanisms. In the kinematic problem, a graph representation called initial graph is given to the parts to move. The type synthesis stage consists of an exhaustive subgraph search of the initial graph inside the graphs taken from a previously enumerated atlas of mechanisms. Each alternative resulting from the type synthesis is dimensioned using the Precision Position Method and Genetic Algorithms: the closed-chain topology is decomposed into single-open chains of two and three links programmed as dyad and triad modules; these modules are executed to compute all the significant dimensions of the linkage. Using this type and dimensional synthesis method, a fast generation and evaluation of many mechanisms can be done in few minutes using a desktop personal computer. The enumeration of mechanisms for a path following task, including eight-bar solutions, illustrates the whole design process.


Author(s):  
M Topalbekiroğlu

The weaving process in a handmade carpet contains independent knots, which have a complex structure. A new production method, mechanism, or machine for producing knots in handmade carpets has not been developed since thousands of years. They are still woven by human hand. Two different types of knots are used to form handmade carpets, which are called as the Turkish (Gördes knot) and the Persian (Sehna knot) knots. In this article, the conceptual design and dimensional synthesis for mechanisms used to produce these knots are studied. To generate all-acceptable one-degree of freedom (DOF) and two-DOF planar knotting mechanism, a systematic methodology is presented. First, the functional requirements of the knotting mechanism are established according to the problem statement. Some of the functional requirements of the knotting mechanism are then translated into the structural characteristics of mechanism. On the basis of the requirements and the structural considerations, the unwanted mechanism is screened out. Finally, two different mechanisms are developed for the knotting mechanism and their dimensions are determined by dimensional synthesis method.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Kwun-Lon Ting ◽  
Daxing Zhao

This paper proposes a simple and general approach for the identification of the dead center positions of single-degree-of-freedom (DOF) complex planar linkages. This approach is implemented through the first order equivalent four-bar linkages. The first order kinematic properties of a complex planar linkage can be represented by their instant centers. The condition for the occurrence of a dead center position of a single-DOF planar linkage can be designated as when the three passive instantaneous joints of any equivalent four-bar linkage become collinear. By this way, the condition for the complex linkage at the dead center positions can be easily obtained. The proposed method is a general concept and can be systematically applied to analyze the dead center positions for more complex single-DOF planar linkages regardless of the number of kinematic loops or the type of the kinematic pairs involved. The velocity method for the dead center analysis is also used to verify the results. The proposed method extends the application of equivalent linkage and is presented for the first time. It paves a novel and straightforward way to analyze the dead center positions for single-DOF complex planar linkages. Examples of some complex planar linkages are employed to illustrate this method in this paper.


Author(s):  
Alba Perez ◽  
J. M. McCarthy

This paper presents the kinematic synthesis of a CRR serial chain. This is a four-degree-of-freedom chain constructed from a cylindric joint and two revolute joints in series. The design equations for this chain are obtained from the dual quaternion kinematics equations evaluated at a specified set of task positions. In this case, we find that the chain is completely defined by seven task positions. Furthermore, our solution of these equations has yielded 52 candidate designs, so far; there may be more. This synthesis methodology shows promise for the design of constrained serial chains.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianmin Li ◽  
Guokai Zhang ◽  
Yuan Xing ◽  
Hongbin Liu ◽  
Shuxin Wang

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has shown tremendous advances over the traditional technique. The remote center-of-motion (RCM) mechanism is one of the main components of a MIS robot. However, the widely used planar RCM mechanism, with double parallelogram structure, requires an active prismatic joint to drive the surgical tool move in–out of the patient’s body cavity, which restricts the dexterity and the back-drivability of the robot to some extent. To solve this problem, a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) planar RCM mechanism type synthesis method is proposed. The basic principle is to construct virtual double parallelogram structure at any instant during the mechanism movements. Different with the existing ones, both of the actuated joints of the obtained RCM mechanism are revolute joints. Combining the proposed mechanism with a revolute joint whose axis passes through the RCM point to drive the whole mechanism out of the plane, the spatial RCM mechanisms to manipulate surgical tool in three-dimension (3D) space can be obtained; and the 3D RCM mechanism can be used for manipulating multi-DOF instruments in a robot-assisted MIS or can be used as an external positioner in robotic single-port surgeries.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh M. Almestiri ◽  
Andrew P. Murray ◽  
David H. Myszka ◽  
Charles W. Wampler

This paper extends the general method to construct a singularity trace for single degree-of-freedom (DOF), closed-loop linkages to include prismatic along with revolute joints. The singularity trace has been introduced in the literature as a plot that reveals the gross motion characteristics of a linkage relative to a designated input joint and a design parameter. The motion characteristics identified on the plot include a number of possible geometric inversions (GIs), circuits, and singularities at any given value for the input link and the design parameter. An inverted slider–crank and an Assur IV/3 linkage are utilized to illustrate the adaptation of the general method to include prismatic joints.


Author(s):  
Kathryn M. de Luna

This chapter uses two case studies to explore how historians study language movement and change through comparative historical linguistics. The first case study stands as a short chapter in the larger history of the expansion of Bantu languages across eastern, central, and southern Africa. It focuses on the expansion of proto-Kafue, ca. 950–1250, from a linguistic homeland in the middle Kafue River region to lands beyond the Lukanga swamps to the north and the Zambezi River to the south. This expansion was made possible by a dramatic reconfiguration of ties of kinship. The second case study explores linguistic evidence for ridicule along the Lozi-Botatwe frontier in the mid- to late 19th century. Significantly, the units and scales of language movement and change in precolonial periods rendered visible through comparative historical linguistics bring to our attention alternative approaches to language change and movement in contemporary Africa.


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