scholarly journals On the Influence of the Shoulder Kinematic Chain on Joint Kinematics and Musculotendon Lengths During Wheelchair Propulsion Estimated From Multibody Kinematics Optimization

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Puchaud ◽  
Samuel Hybois ◽  
Antoine Lombart ◽  
Joseph Bascou ◽  
Hélène Pillet ◽  
...  

Multibody kinematic optimization is frequently used to assess shoulder kinematics during manual wheelchair (MWC) propulsion, but multiple kinematics chains are available. It is hypothesized that these different kinematic chains affect marker tracking, shoulder kinematics, and resulting musculotendon (MT) lengths. In this study, shoulder kinematics and MT lengths obtained from four shoulder kinematic chains (open-loop thorax-clavicle-scapula-humerus (M1), closed-loop with contact ellipsoid (M2), scapula rhythm from regression equations (M3), and a single ball-and- socket joint between the thorax and the humerus (M4) were compared. Right-side shoulder kinematics from seven subjects were obtained with 34 reflective markers and a scapula locator using an optoelectronic motion capture system while propelling on a MWC simulator. Data were processed based on the four models. The results showed the impact of shoulder kinematic chains on all studied variables. Marker reconstruction errors were found to be similar between M1 and M2 and lower than for M3 and M4. Few degrees-of-freedom (DoF) were noticeably different between M1 and M2, but all shoulder DoFs were significantly affected between M1 and M4. As a consequence of differences in joint kinematics, MT lengths were affected by the kinematic chain definition. The contact ellipsoid (M2) was found as a good trade-off between marker tracking and penetration avoidance of the scapula. The regression-based model (M3) was less efficient due to limited humerus elevation during MWC propulsion, as well as the ball-and-socket model (M4) which appeared not suitable for upper limbs activities, including MWC propulsion.

Author(s):  
S. Shubhashis ◽  
M. Choubey ◽  
A.C. Rao

There is no dearth of methods to test isomorphism amongst kinematic chains. Search for a computationally easier, logically simple and unique method is still on. Present work is in quest of a reliable test to detect isomorphism among kinematic chains. Work presented here is more versatile as it incorporates more features of the kinematic chain which were not included earlier such as number and type of links, their relative dispositions in the kinematic chain, nature of adjacent links etc. The method proposed is based on the concept of pseudo-probability (pseudo means it appears to be, but not exactly. The approach does not follow in-toto the principles of probability and considerable liberty has been taken in interpreting the word probability hence the word pseudo is used along with the probability schemes). Using the resemblance of different coloured balls in an urn for the number and type of links in a kinematic chain, a matrix (named P-Matrix) representing the kinematic chain in totality is generated. For the sake of comparison a numerical scheme named, pseudo probability scheme, P-Scheme, is developed from the above P-Matrix and is used for testing isomorphism. In fact the method is more powerful in the sense that each row of the proposed P-Matrix is capable of representing the respective kinematic chain distinctly and can be used to compare the kinematic chains with same link assortments, uniquely. The proposed method, besides possessing the potential of testing the isomorphism among simple-joint, single degree of freedom kinematic chains is also capable of multi degrees of freedom and multiple-joint kinematic chains.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 428-436
Author(s):  
A. K. Tolstosheev ◽  
V. A. Tatarintsev

The work is devoted to improving the reliability and manufacturability of mechatronic machine designs with parallel kinematics by replacing statically indeterminable manipulators with statically determinable mechanisms. A technique is proposed in which the design of statically determinable manipulators of technological mechatronic machines with parallel kinematics is performed by modifying the structure of prototypes and includes three steps: identifying and analyzing redundant links, eliminating redundant links, checking the correctness of eliminating redundant links. To determine the number of degrees of freedom of the mechanism, identify redundant links, and verify the solution, the authors use the proposed methodology for structural analysis of parallel structure mechanisms. In structural analysis, a manipulator is represented by a hierarchical structure and is considered as a parallel connection of elementary mechanisms with an open kinematic chain; as a kinematic chain consisting of leading and driven parts; as a set of links and kinematic pairs; as a kinematic connection of the output link and the rack. The article implements the following techniques for eliminating redundant links: mobility increase in kinematic pairs; introduction of unloading links and passive kinematic pairs to the kinematic chain; exclusion of extra links and pairs from the kinematic chain; increase in mobility in some kinematic pairs simultaneously with the exclusion of other kinematic pairs that have become superfluous. The authors developed several variants of structural schemes of self-aligning manipulators based on the Orthoglide mechanism, which retain the basic functional proper ties of the prototype. To increase the number of self-aligning mechanism diagrams, the redistribution of mobilities and links within the connecting kinematic chain and between connecting kinematic chains is used. The proposed methodics allow to determine the number of degrees of freedom of the mechanism, the number and type of redundant links, eliminate redundant links and, on an alternative basis, build structural diagrams of statically determinable mechanisms of technological mechatronic machines with parallel kinematics.


Author(s):  
R. A. Wehage ◽  
A. A. Shabana

Abstract A general symbolic-based method is presented for solving equations of motion for open-loop kinematic chains consisting of interconnected rigid and deformable bodies. The method utilizes matrix partitioning, recursive projection based on optimal block U-L factorization and generalized Newton-Euler equations to obtain an order n solution for the constrained equations of motion. Kinematic relationships between the absolute reference, joint and elastic coordinates are used with the generalized Newton-Euler equations for deformable bodies to obtain a large, loosely coupled system of equations. Taking advantage of the inertia matrix structure associated with elastic coordinates yields a recursive solution algorithm whose dimension is independent of the elastic degrees of freedom. The above solution techniques applied to this system of equations yield a much smaller operations count and can more effectively exploit vectorization and parallel processing. The algorithms presented in this paper are illustrated with the aid of cylindrical joints which are easily extended to revolute, prismatic, rigid and other joint types.


Author(s):  
G S Bedi ◽  
S Sanyal

In a kinematic chain, the links are connected to each other through joints. The connectivity of a joint indicates the number of joints to which it is connected. The connectivity level of a joint indicates the distance by which it is separated from the adjacent joints. The concept of joint connectivity and its application to detect isomorphism among kinematic chains and their inversions has been already reported by authors. The method utilizes the connectivity of joints at different levels to detect isomorphism and inversions among planar kinematic chains. The method is applied to eight-, nine-, and ten-link planar kinematic chains. The results so obtained are in agreement with those available in the literature. In this study, the method is further improved by incorporating the type of joint to make it more effective for the detection of isomorphism and distinct inversions. A joint connectivity table completely representing the kinematic chain is proposed. The application of the method is extended for the determination of additional topological characteristics of chains such as categorization of kinematic chains and selection of preferred frame, input and output links for function and path generation. The concept of ‘Motion Transfer Ability’ is introduced and utilized to develop numerical measures for comparing and categorizing the chains at the synthesis stage of mechanism design for a specific application. The method was successfully tested on planar kinematic chains with single and multiple degrees of freedom and the results for eight- and nine-link kinematic chains are appended.


1995 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 725-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Marghitu ◽  
Y. Hurmuzlu

This article deals with three-dimensional collisions of rigid, kinematic chains with an external surface while in contact with other surfaces. We concentrate on a special class of kinematic chain problems where there are multiple contact points during the impact process. A differential formulation based algorithm is used to obtain solutions that utilize the kinematic, kinetic, and the energetic definitions of the coefficient of restitution. Planar and spatial collisions of a three-link chain with two contact points are numerically studied to compare the outcomes predicted by each approach. Particular emphasis is placed on the relation between the post and pre-impact energies, slippage and rebounds at the contact points, and differences among planar and nearly planar three-dimensional solutions.


Author(s):  
Finlay N. McPherson ◽  
Jonathan R. Corney ◽  
Raymond C. W. Sung

This paper describes the analysis work underlying the path-planning algorithm for a robotic painting system. The system requires no bespoke production tooling and fills an automation gap in rapid prototyping and manufacturing technology that is currently occupied by hand painting. The system creates images by exposing individual pixels of a photographic coating with a robot-mounted laser. The painting process requires no physical contact so potentially images could be developed on any shape regardless of its complexity: As objects can only be “painted” when their surface can be “hit” (i.e. exposed) by the light beam the system requires six degrees of freedom to ensure all overhanging or reentrant areas can be exposed. The accuracy of serial robots degrades with the length of the kinematic chain (in other words six axis robots cannot position themselves with the same accuracy as four axis ones). Consequently to ensure high precision in the location and orientation of the light source, the object being exposed is mounted on a rotary tilt table within the workspace of a four-axis robot. This gives a six-degree of freedom positioning system composed of two separate kinematic chains. Although the resulting system is accurate the problems of constructing a coordinated path that allows the light beam to efficiently sweep (i.e. cover) the surface regardless of its geometry are challenging. This paper describes the difficulties and, after reviewing existing path planning algorithms, a new algorithm is introduced firstly by describing the nature of the system’s configuration space and then further developing this concept as an alternative to a previously described planning algorithm. Having outlined the approach the paper presents a kinematic model for the system and compares the configuration space approach to a purely Cartesian planning approach.


Author(s):  
Matteo Russo ◽  
Marco Ceccarelli ◽  
Yukio Takeda

This paper presents an analysis of a novel 3-SPR parallel manipulator with 3 degrees-of-freedom that is characterized by a mobile platform consisting of a single point where all the three open-loop kinematic chains converge. The constraint singularity problem of the mechanism is solved in closed form by computing the Jacobian of the manipulator. Then, the expression of the transmission index is obtained for the 3-SPR manipulator by using the pressure angle definition. In order to evaluate the influence of secondary parameters, an equivalent 6-SPS mechanism is analyzed and its transmission index is computed in the parameter space. Finally, the proposed manipulator is compared to a standard 3-SPR parallel mechanism to investigate the influence of the mobile platform radius over transmission index and workspace volume. The results are discussed in order to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed structure of parallel manipulator.


2008 ◽  
Vol 05 (02) ◽  
pp. 329-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALI HASAN ◽  
R. A. KHAN

This paper presents a new method for identifying the distinct mechanisms (DMs) from a given kinematic chain (KC). The KCs are represented in the form of the weighted physical connectivity matrix (WPCM). Two structural invariants derived from the characteristic polynomials of the WPCM of the KC are the sum of absolute characteristic polynomial coefficients (∑WPCM) and the maximum absolute value of the characteristic polynomial coefficient (MWPCM). They have been used as the composite identification number of a KC and mechanism. This is capable of detecting DMs in all types of simple jointed planar KCs up to ten links having the same or different kinematic pairs (KPs). The proposed method has been tested successfully in identifying all the DMs derived from the family of single degree of freedom (dof) KCs up to ten links. Also, it does not require any test for isomorphism separately. This study will help the designer to select the best KC and mechanisms to perform the specified task at the conceptual stage of design.


Author(s):  
Cheng-Ho Hsu

Abstract This paper presents a systematic approach, which is based on the concept of generalization for the structural synthesis of geared kinematic chains for epicyclic gear trains with any number of degrees of freedom. First, the fundamental rules of generalized kinematic chains for nonfractionated epicyclic gear trains are investigated. Next, according to the numbers of gear pairs and degrees of freedom, acceptable kinematic chains for nonfractionated epicyclic gear trains are identified from an atlas of basic kinematic chains. Then, each acceptable kinematic chain is specialized to be epicyclic gear trains. Finally, geared kinematic chains for nonfractionated epicyclic gear trains with up to three degrees of freedom and four gear pairs have been susscessfully constructed.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Camarasa-Gómez ◽  
Daniel Hernangómez-Pérez ◽  
Michael S. Inkpen ◽  
Giacomo Lovat ◽  
E-Dean Fung ◽  
...  

Ferrocenes are ubiquitous organometallic building blocks that comprise a Fe atom sandwiched between two cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings that rotate freely at room temperature. Of widespread interest in fundamental studies and real-world applications, they have also attracted<br>some interest as functional elements of molecular-scale devices. Here we investigate the impact of<br>the configurational degrees of freedom of a ferrocene derivative on its single-molecule junction<br>conductance. Measurements indicate that the conductance of the ferrocene derivative, which is<br>suppressed by two orders of magnitude as compared to a fully conjugated analog, can be modulated<br>by altering the junction configuration. Ab initio transport calculations show that the low conductance is a consequence of destructive quantum interference effects that arise from the hybridization of metal-based d-orbitals and the ligand-based π-system. By rotating the Cp rings, the hybridization, and thus the quantum interference, can be mechanically controlled, resulting in a conductance modulation that is seen experimentally.<br>


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