Seven-Position Synthesis of a Spatial Eight-Bar Linkage by Constraining a TRS Serial Chain

Author(s):  
Gim Song Soh ◽  
J. Michael McCarthy

In this paper, we use seven-position synthesis to add four TS constraints to a TRS serial chain robot and obtain a two degree-of-freedom spatial eight-bar linkage. The TRS chain is an elbow manipulator, similar to a PUMA robot. We synthesize a TS dyad to connect the base of the robot to its forearm, and then we synthesize three TS dyads that connect the upper arm of the robot to its end-effector. The result is a two degree-of-freedom spatial eight-bar linkage that moves through seven prescribed positions. It consists of a TRST loop supporting a 3TS-RS platform, which we denote as a TS-TRS-3TS spatial linkage. We formulate and solve the design equations for the TS dyads, and analyze the resulting eight-bar linkage. An example demonstrates our results.

Author(s):  
Gim Song Soh ◽  
J. Michael McCarthy

This paper presents a geometric synthesis procedure for spherical (6, 7) linkages, often known as spherical six-bar linkages, based on adding two spherical RR constraints to a spherical 3R serial chain. The design can use the spherical 3R chain to shape the movement of the linkage and identify a set of task positions that shape the trajectory of the end-effector. We use five task positions to completely specify the two RR chains that constrain the system to one degree-of-freedom. This procedure yields spherical versions of the various topologies for the planar Watt and Stephenson six-bar linkages. We find that for any design problem we obtain at a minimum of two design candidates for the Watt-type linkage, and as many as 185 different design for all of the topologies obtained by constraining the spherical 3R chain. Wampler’s method for the analysis of spherical loops is used to analyze these linkages. An example design is presented in detail.


Author(s):  
Meiying Zhang ◽  
Thierry Laliberté ◽  
Clément Gosselin

This paper proposes the use of passive force and torque limiting devices to bound the maximum forces that can be applied at the end-effector or along the links of a robot, thereby ensuring the safety of human-robot interaction. Planar isotropic force limiting modules are proposed and used to analyze the force capabilities of a two-degree-of-freedom planar serial robot. The force capabilities at the end-effector are first analyzed. It is shown that, using isotropic force limiting modules, the performance to safety index remains excellent for all configurations of the robot. The maximum contact forces along the links of the robot are then analyzed. Force and torque limiters are distributed along the structure of the robot in order to ensure that the forces applied at any point of contact along the links are bounded. A power analysis is then presented in order to support the results. Finally, examples of mechanical designs of force/torque limiters are shown to illustrate a possible practical implementation of the concept.


Author(s):  
Alexandre Lecours ◽  
Cle´ment Gosselin

A reactionless mechanism is one which does not exert any reaction force or moment on its base at all times, for any arbitrary trajectory of the mechanism. This paper addresses the static and dynamic balancing of a two-degree-of-freedom parallel planar mechanism (five-bar mechanism). A simple and effective adaptive balancing method is presented that allows the mechanism to maintain the reactionless condition for a range of payloads. Important proofs concerning the balancing of five-bar mechanisms are also presented. The design of a real mechanism where parallelogram linkages are used to produce pure translations at the end-effector is also presented. Finally, using dynamic simulation software, it is shown that the mechanism is reactionless for arbitrarily chosen trajectories and for a variety of payloads.


Author(s):  
Gim Song Soh ◽  
Fangtian Ying

This paper details the dimensional synthesis for the rigid body guidance of planar eight-bar linkages that could be driven by a prismatic joint at its base. We show how two RR cranks can be added to a planar parallel robot formed by a PRR and 3R serial chain to guide its end-effector through a set of five task poses. This procedure is useful for designers who require the choice of ground pivot locations. The results are eight different types of one-degree of freedom planar eight-bar linkages. We demonstrate the design process with the design of a multifunctional wheelchair that could transform its structure between a self-propelled wheelchair and a walking guide.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiying Zhang ◽  
Thierry Laliberté ◽  
Clément Gosselin

This paper proposes the use of passive force and torque limiting devices to bound the maximum forces that can be applied at the end-effector or along the links of a robot, thereby ensuring the safety of human–robot interaction. Planar isotropic force limiting modules are proposed and used to analyze the force capabilities of a two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) planar serial robot. The force capabilities at the end-effector are first analyzed. It is shown that, using isotropic force limiting modules, the performance to safety index remains excellent for all configurations of the robot. The maximum contact forces along the links of the robot are then analyzed. Force and torque limiters are distributed along the structure of the robot in order to ensure that the forces applied at any point of contact along the links are bounded. A power analysis is then presented in order to support the results. Finally, examples of mechanical designs of force/torque limiters are shown to illustrate a possible practical implementation of the concept.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Chen ◽  
Marc Arsenault

Tensegrity mechanisms are interesting candidates for high-acceleration robotic applications since their use of cables allows for a reduction in the weight and inertia of their mobile parts. In this work, a planar two-degree-of-freedom translational tensegrity mechanism that could be used for pick and place applications is introduced. The mechanism uses a strategic actuation scheme to generate the translational motion as well as to ensure that the cables remain taut at all times. Analytical solutions to the direct and inverse kinematic problems are developed, and the mechanism’s workspace boundaries are computed in both the actuator and Cartesian spaces. The influence of the mechanism’s geometry on the size and shape of the Cartesian workspace are then studied. Based on workspace size only, it is found that the optimal mechanism geometry corresponds to a relatively large ratio between the length of the struts and the width of the base and end-effector.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ben Haughey

<p>Development in pick-and-place robotic manipulators continues to grow as factory processes are streamlined. One configuration of these manipulators is the two degree of freedom, planar, parallel manipulator (2DOFPPM). A machine building company, RML Engineering Ltd., wishes to develop custom robotic manipulators that are optimised for individual pick-and-place applications. This thesis develops several tools to assist in the design process. The 2DOFPPM’s structure lends itself to fast and accurate translations in a single plane. However, the performance of the 2DOFPPM is highly dependent on its dimensions. The kinematics of the 2DOFPPM are explored and used to examine the reachable workspace of the manipulator. This method of analysis also gives insight into the relative speed and accuracy of the manipulator’s end-effector in the workspace. A simulation model of the 2DOFPPM has been developed in Matlab’s® SimMechanics®. This allows the detailed analysis of the manipulator’s dynamics. In order to provide meaningful input into the simulation model, a cubic spline trajectory planner is created. The algorithm uses an iterative approach of minimising the time between knots along the path, while ensuring the kinematic and dynamic limits of the motors and end-effector are abided by. The resulting trajectory can be considered near-minimum in terms of its cycle-time. The dimensions of the 2DOFPPM have a large effect on the performance of the manipulator. Four major dimensions are analysed to see the effect each has on the cycle-time over a standardised path. The dimensions are the proximal and distal arms, spacing of the motors and the height of the manipulator above the workspace. The solution space of all feasible combinations of these dimensions is produced revealing cycle-times with a large degree of variation over the same path. Several optimisation algorithms are applied to finding the manipulator configuration with the fastest cycle-time. A random restart hill-climber, stochastic hill-climber, simulated annealing and a genetic algorithm are developed. After each algorithm’s parameters are tuned, the genetic algorithm is shown to outperform the other techniques.</p>


Author(s):  
Ahmad A. Smaili

Abstract A robomech is a crossbreed of a mechanism and a robot arm. It has a parallel architecture equipped with more than one end effector to accomplish tasks that require the coordination of many functions. Robomechs with multi degrees of freedom that are based on the 4R and 5R chains have found their way into the literature. This article presents a new, two-degree of freedom robomech whose architecture is based on the 7R chain. The robomech is capable of performing two-function tasks. The features, kinematic constraints, and synthesis procedure of the robomech are outlined and an application example is given.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkat Krovi ◽  
G. K. Ananthasuresh ◽  
Vijay Kumar

Single Degree-of-freedom Coupled Serial Chain (SDCSC) mechanisms form a novel class of modular and compact mechanisms with a single degree-of-freedom, suitable for a number of manipulation tasks. Such SDCSC mechanisms take advantage of the hardware constraints between the articulations of a serial-chain linkage, created using gear-trains or belt/pulley drives, to guide the end-effector motions and forces. In this paper, we examine the dimensional synthesis of such SDCSC mechanisms to perform desired planar manipulation tasks, taking into account task specifications on both end-effector motions and forces. Our solution approach combines precision point synthesis with optimization to realize optimal mechanisms, which satisfy the design specifications exactly at the selected precision points and approximate them in the least-squares sense elsewhere along a specified trajectory. The designed mechanisms can guide a rigid body through several positions while supporting arbitrarily specified external loads. Furthermore, torsional springs are added at the joints to reduce the overall actuation requirements and to enhance the task performance. Examples from the kinematic and the kinetostatic synthesis of planar SDCSC mechanisms are presented to highlight the benefits.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanwei Liu ◽  
Clément Gosselin ◽  
Thierry Laliberté

A novel two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) cable-loop slider-driven parallel mechanism is introduced in this paper. The novelty of the mechanism lies in the fact that no passive rigid-link mechanism or springs are needed to support the end-effector (only cables are connected to the end-effector) while at the same time there is no actuation redundancy in the mechanism. Sliders located on the edges of the workspace are used and actuation redundancy is eliminated while providing force closure everywhere in the workspace. It is shown that the two degrees of freedom of the mechanism are decoupled and only two actuators are needed to control the motion. There are two cable loops for each direction of motion: one acts as the actuating loop while the other is the constraint loop. Due to the simple geometric design, the kinematic and static equations of the mechanism are very compact. The stiffness of the mechanism is also analyzed in the paper. It can be observed that the mechanism's stiffness is much higher than the stiffness of the cables. The proposed mechanism's workspace is essentially equal to its footprint and there are no singularities.


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