Computer-Based Kinematical Analysis of Spatial Multiloop Mechanisms

Author(s):  
Manfred Hiller ◽  
Manfred Möller

Abstract In this paper a method for the automatical analysis of the kinematics of spatial multiloop mechanisms is presented. The mechanism is regarded as a multibody system. Connecting joints are revolute joints (R), prismatic joints (P), spherical joints (S) and all further joints that can be modelled as combinations of these joints. The concept allows the application for a user without deeper theoretical knowledge of spatial kinematics. Special effort has been taken in the reduction of the number of nonlinear constraint equations that must be solved. This is done by using an approach, yielding a suitable structure of the system of nonlinear constraint equations, where only those with interesting unknown joint coordinates must be solved. An optimized solution of these equations allows in many cases a partly and sometimes even a completely explicit solution of the constraint equations. The described method is also applicable to overconstrained spatial mechanisms.

1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Premkumar ◽  
S. N. Kramer

The inclusion of velocity and acceleration constraints is a crucial step in the coupling of the dynamics with the kinematics of spatial mechanisms. In this paper, an optimum synthesis technique is presented which allows an arbitrary combination of positions, velocities, and accelerations to be specified along with appropriate tolerances at one or more of the prescribed path points. The method of Selective Precision Synthesis is used to formulate nonlinear constraint equations which are then solved by the generalized reduced gradient method of optimization. This is significant since it paves the way for the coupling of mechanism dynamics with the kinematics of spatial mechanisms. The technique developed herein is general to all spatial mechanisms and is exemplified by the RRSS path-generating spatial mechanism.


Author(s):  
Shashank Sharma ◽  
Anurag Purwar

Abstract This paper presents a geometric constraints driven approach to unified kinematic simulation of n-bar planar and spherical linkage mechanisms consisting of both revolute and prismatic joints. Generalized constraint equations using point, line and plane coordinates have been proposed which unify simulation of planar and spherical linkages and are demonstrably scalable to spatial mechanisms. As opposed to some of the existing approaches, which seek to derive loop-closure equations for each type of mechanism separately, we have shown that the simulation can be made simpler and more efficient by using unified version of the geometric constraints on joints and links. This is facilitated using homogeneous coordinates and constraints on geometric primitives, such as point, line, and plane. Furthermore, the approach enables simpler programming, real-time computation, and ability to handle any type of planar and spherical mechanism. This work facilitates creation of practical and intuitive design tools for mechanism designers.


Author(s):  
Shashank Sharma ◽  
Anurag Purwar

Abstract This paper presents a geometric constraints driven approach to unified kinematic simulation of n-bar planar and spherical linkage mechanisms consisting of both revolute and prismatic joints. Generalized constraint equations using point, line, and plane coordinates have been proposed which unify simulation of planar and spherical linkages and are demonstrably scalable to spatial mechanisms. As opposed to some of the existing approaches, which seek to derive loop-closure equations for each type of mechanism separately, we have shown that the simulation can be made simpler and more efficient by using unified version of the geometric constraints on joints and links. This is facilitated using homogeneous coordinates and constraints on geometric primitives, such as point, line, and plane. Furthermore, the approach enables simpler programming, real-time computation, and ability to handle any type of planar and spherical mechanism. This work facilitates creation of practical and intuitive design tools for mechanism designers.


Author(s):  
P. E. Nikravesh ◽  
G. Gim

Abstract This paper presents a systematic method for deriving the minimum number of equations of motion for multibody system containing closed kinematic loops. A set of joint or natural coordinates is used to describe the configuration of the system. The constraint equations associated with the closed kinematic loops are found systematically in terms of the joint coordinates. These constraints and their corresponding elements are constructed from known block matrices representing different kinematic joints. The Jacobian matrix associated with these constraints is further used to find a velocity transformation matrix. The equations of motions are initially written in terms of the dependent joint coordinates using the Lagrange multiplier technique. Then the velocity transformation matrix is used to derive a minimum number of equations of motion in terms of a set of independent joint coordinates. An illustrative example and numerical results are presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.


1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. McCarthy

Given four positions of a rigid body in space, there is a congruence of lines that can be used as the central axes of cylindric cranks to guide the body through the four positions. This “central axis congruence” is a generalization of the center point curve of planar kinematics. It is known that this congruence is identical to the screw congruence which arises in the study of complementary screw quadrilateral. It is less well-known that the screw congruence is the “screw surface” of the 4C linkage formed by the complementary screw quadrilateral, and it is this relationship that we use to obtain a parameterization for the screw congruence and in turn, the central axis congruence. This parameterization should facilitate the use of this congruence in computer based design of spatial mechanisms.


Robotica ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 889-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Hsing Kuo ◽  
Jian S. Dai ◽  
Giovanni Legnani

SUMMARYA non-overconstrained three-DOF parallel orientation mechanism that is kinematically equivalent to the Agile Eye is presented in this paper. The output link (end-effector) of the mechanism is connected to the base by one spherical joint and by another three identical legs. Each leg comprises of, in turns from base, a revolute joint, a universal joint, and three prismatic joints. The three lower revolute joints are active joints, while all other joints are passive ones. Based on a special configuration, some three projective angles of the end-effector coordinates are fully decoupled with respect to the input actuated joints, that is, by actuating any revolute joint the end-effector rotates in such a way that the corresponding projective angle changes with the same angular displacement. The fully decoupled motion is analyzed geometrically and proved theoretically. Besides, the inverse and direct kinematics solutions of the mechanism are provided based on the geometric reasoning and theoretical proof.


Author(s):  
Hong-Liu Zou ◽  
Karim Abdel-Malek ◽  
Jia-Yi Wang

Abstract A broadly applicable formulation for investigating design propagations in mechanisms is developed and illustrated. Analytical criteria in terms of the variations of joint position vectors and orientation matrices for planar and spatial mechanisms are presented. Mechanisms are represented using graph theory and closed loops are converted to a tree-like structure by cutting joints and introducing new constraints. The Jacobian matrix in Cartesian space is then transformed to Joint coordinates space. Two cases are considered: a pair of bodies remain connected by one joint after cutting additional joints and a pair of bodies are disconnected after cutting joints. Using this method, a designer has the ability to study the propagated effect of changing a design variable on the design. The presented formulation is validated through a numerical example of a McPherson strut suspension system. The system is analyzed and an assembled configuration is computed after a change in design.


Author(s):  
J. Rastegar

Abstract Derivation of Grashof-type conditions for spatial mechanisms that may include transmission angle limitations are discussed. It is shown that in general, different conditions need to be derived for each one of the existing configurations of the mechanism. In the absence of any transmission angle control, the conditions would be identical for pairs of configurations. As an example, for RRRSR mechanisms, Grashof-type conditions that ensure crank rotatability, the existence of a drag link type of mechanism, single or multiple changeover points, the possibility of full rotation at intermediate revolute joints, etc., are determined. A general discussion of the problems involved in such derivations, the use of approximation techniques to overcome some of the problems, and several other related subjects are presented.


Author(s):  
Kwun-Lon Ting ◽  
Kuan-Lun Hsu

This paper addresses the assembly strategy capable of deriving a family of over-constrained mechanisms systematically. The modular approach is proposed. It treats the topological synthesis of over-constrained mechanisms as a systematical derivation rather than a random search. The result indicates that a family of over-constrained mechanisms can be constructed by combining legitimate modules. A spatial four-bar linkage containing two revolute joints (R) and two prismatic joints (P) is selected as the source-module for the purpose of demonstration. All mechanisms discovered in this paper were modeled and animated with computer aided design (CAD) software and their mobility were validated with input-output equations as well as computer simulations. The assembly strategy can serve as a self-contained library of over-constrained mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Ali Moghadasi ◽  
Alexander Held ◽  
Robert Seifried

In recent years, topology optimization has been used for optimizing members of flexible multibody systems to enhance their performance. Here, an extension to existing topology optimization schemes for flexible multibody systems is presented in which a more accurate model of revolute joints and bearing domains is included. This extension is of special interest since a connection between flexible members in a multibody system using revolute joints is seen in many applications. Moreover, the modeling accuracy of the bearing area is shown to be influential on the shape of the optimized structure. In this work, the flexible bodies are incorporated in the multibody simulation using the floating frame of reference formulation, and their elastic deformation is approximated using global shape functions calculated in the model order reduction analysis. The modeling of revolute joints using Hertzian contact law is incorporated in this framework by introducing a corrector load in the bearing model. Furthermore, an application example of a flexible multibody system with revolute joints is optimized for minimum value of compliance, and a comparative study of the optimization result is performed with an equivalent system which is modeled with nonlinear finite elements.


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