Systematic Elastostatic Stiffness Model of Over-Constrained Parallel Manipulators Without Additional Constraint Equations

The establishment of an elastostatic stiffness model for over constrained parallel manipulators(PMs),particularly those with over constrained subclosed loops,poses a challenge while ensuring numerical stability.This study addresses this issue by proposing a systematic elastostatic stiffness model based on matrix structural analysis(MSA)and independent displacement coordinates(IDCs)extraction techniques.To begin,the closed-loop PM is transformed into an open-loop PM by eliminating constraints.A subassembly element is then introduced,which considers the flexibility of both rods and joints.This approach helps circumvent the numerical instability typically encountered with traditional constraint equations.The IDCs and analytical constraint equations of nodes constrained by various joints are summarized in the appendix,utilizing multipoint constraint theory and singularity analysis,all unified within a single coordinate frame.Subsequently,the open-loop mechanism is efficiently closed by referencing the constraint equations presented in the appendix,alongside its elastostatic model.The proposed method proves to be both modeling and computationally efficient due to the comprehensive summary of the constraint equations in the Appendix,eliminating the need for additional equations.An example utilizing an over constrained subclosed loops demonstrate the application of the proposed method.In conclusion,the model proposed in this study enriches the theory of elastostatic stiffness modeling of PMs and provides an effective solution for stiffness modeling challenges they present.

A Novel Disturbance Observer Based Fixed-Time Sliding Mode Control for Robotic Manipulators With Global Fast Convergence

This paper proposes a new global fixed-time sliding mode control strategy for the trajectory tracking control of uncertain robotic manipulators.First,a fixed-time disturbance observer(FTDO) is designed to deal with the adverse effects of model uncertainties and external disturbances in the manipulator systems.Then an adaptive scheme is used and the adaptive FTDO(AFTDO) is developed,so that the priori knowledge of the lumped disturbance is not required.Further,a new non-singular fast terminal sliding mode(NFTSM) surface is designed by using an arctan function,which helps to overcome the singularity problem and enhance the robustness of the system.Based on the estimation of the lumped disturbance by the AFTDO,a fixed-time non-singular fast terminal sliding mode controller(FTNFTSMC)is developed to guarantee the trajectory tracking errors converge to zero within a fixed time.The settling time is independent of the initial state of the system.In addition,the stability of the AFTDO and FTNFTSMC is strictly proved by using Lyapunov method.Finally,the fixed-time NFESM(FTNFTSM) algorithm is validated on a 2-link manipulator and comparisons with other existing sliding mode controllers(SMCs) are performed.The comparative results confirm that the FTNFTSMC has superior control performance.

Manipulator tracking technology based on FSRUKF

Aiming at the shortcoming that the traditional industrial manipulator using off-line programming cannot change along with the change of external environment,the key technologies such as machine vision and manipulator control are studied,and a complete manipulator vision tracking system is designed.Firstly,Denavit-Hartenberg(D-H)parameters method is used to construct the model of the manipulator and analyze the forward and inverse kinematics equations of the manipulator.At the same time,a binocular camera is used to obtain the threedimensional position of the target.Secondly,in order to make the manipulator track the target more accurately,the fuzzy adaptive square root unscented Kalman filter(FSRUKF)is proposed to estimate the target state.Finally,the manipulator tracking system is built by using the position-based visual servo.The simulation experiments show that FSRUKF converges faster and with less error than the square root unscented Kalman filter(SRUKF),which meets the application requirements of the manipulator tracking system,and basically meets the application requirements of the manipulator tracking system in the practical experiments.

Neural Dynamics for Cooperative Motion Control of Omnidirectional Mobile Manipulators in the Presence of Noises: A Distributed Approach

This paper presents a distributed scheme with limited communications, aiming to achieve cooperative motion control for multiple omnidirectional mobile manipulators(MOMMs).The proposed scheme extends the existing single-agent motion control to cater to scenarios involving the cooperative operation of MOMMs. Specifically, squeeze-free cooperative load transportation is achieved for the end-effectors of MOMMs by incorporating cooperative repetitive motion planning(CRMP), while guiding each individual to desired poses. Then, the distributed scheme is formulated as a time-varying quadratic programming(QP) and solved online utilizing a noise-tolerant zeroing neural network(NTZNN). Theoretical analysis shows that the NTZNN model converges globally to the optimal solution of QP in the presence of noise. Finally, the effectiveness of the control design is demonstrated by numerical simulations and physical platform experiments.

FUZZY ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF FLEXIBLE-LINK ROBOT MANIPULATOR

A fuzzy adaptive control method is proposed for a flexible robot manipulator. Due to the structure characteristics of the flexible manipulator, the vibration modes must be controlled to realize the high-precision tip position. The Lagrangian principle is utilized to model the dynamic function of the single-degree flexible manipulator incorporating the assumed modes method. Simulation results of the fuzzy adaptive control method in the location control and the trajectory tracking with different tip disturbances are presented and compared with the results of the classic PD control. It shows that the controller can obtain the stable and robust performance.

Vibration Reduction of Open-chain Flexible Manipulators by Optimizing Independent Motions of Branch Links

In order to suppress vibration in flexible manipulators, a new type of manipulator mechanism with controllable local degrees of freedom is proposed. This mechanism consists of a main chain and some branch links. The main chain is of a flexible open-chain configuration with an end-effector installed at its tip, and the rigid branch links are able to perform active movements. It is proved by kinematics and dynamic analysis that, the branch links bear no direct kinematic relation to the main chain, but their independent motions can strongly affect the dynamic behavior and performance of the flexible manipulator. Then comes a new idea of suppressing vibration, in which independent motions of the branch links are used to suppress the undesired vibration of the flexible main chain through dynamic coupling. On this basis, an optimal method for reducing vibration of flexible manipulators is proposed. Finally, the effectiveness of this method is verified by numerical simulations.

Trajectory Tracking of a Planer Parallel Manipulator by Using Computed Force Control Method

Despite small workspace, parallel manipulators have some advantages over their serial counterparts in terms of higher speed, acceleration, rigidity, accuracy, manufacturing cost and payload. Accordingly, this type of manipulators can be used in many applications such as in high-speed machine tools, tuning machine for feeding, sensitive cutting, assembly and packaging. This paper presents a special type of planar parallel manipulator with three degrees of freedom. It is constructed as a variable geometry truss generally known planar Stewart platform. The reachable and orientation workspaces are obtained for this manipulator. The inverse kinematic analysis is solved for the trajectory tracking according to the redundancy and joint limit avoidance. Then, the dynamics model of the manipulator is established by using Virtual Work method. The simulations are performed to follow the given planar trajectories by using the dynamic equations of the variable geometry truss manipulator and computed force control method. In computed force control method, the feedback gain matrices for PD control are tuned with fixed matrices by trail end error and variable ones by means of optimization with genetic algorithm.

Collision Avoidance of Cooperative Dual Redundant Manipulators

Dual redundant manipulators are extremely useful for tasks in dangerous or space environments, but efficient and real time coordinated control is hard to achieve. Collision avoidance between two cooperative manipulators is vital to the successful applications of dual redundant manipulators. Although methods based on the distance function have been demonstrated simple and efficient, different collision avoidance points can usually produce completely different results and even failure. The paper discussed the choices of collision avoidance points and proposed a novel method for the choosing of those points. The method is testified by simulation results of two redundant planar manipulators.

On Frequency Sensitivity and Mode Orthogonality of Flexible Robotic Manipulators

This paper presents sensitivity analysis of vibration frequencies of flexible manipulators with respect to variations of systems parameters such as rotational inertia of hub, and mass, moment, and side of tip load. Both Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko dynamical models of flexible manipulators are discussed. By using variational method, sensitivity indices are obtained with explicit expressions for measuring the sensitivity of frequencies. Based on variational formulations, a novel method for deriving the orthogonal relations among vibration modal shape functions of flexible manipulators is introduced. With this method, the orthogonal relations can be derived easily without invoking the tedious process of differentiation and integration by part, as commonly used in their derivation. © 2014 Chinese Association of Automation.

Implementation and Kinematic Control of a Hyper-redundant Mobile Manipulator System

Redundant or hyper-redundant mobile manipulator can give lots of assistance to astronauts in space station. The design and implementation of a hyper-redundant mobile manipulator system are described, which is composed of an 8 DOF module robot and a 1 DOF motorized rail. Inverse kinematic resolution of the system is discussed and one simplified control method based on joint limit avoidance and configuration optimization is proposed. Simulation and experimental results are presented.

NOVEL 6-SPS PARALLEL 3-DIMENSIONAL PLATFORM MANIPULATOR AND ITS FORCE/MOTION TRANSMISSION ANALYSIS

The unique design for a novel 6-SPS parallel 3-dimensional platformmanipulator with an orthogonal configuration is investigated. The layout feature of the parallelmanipulator is described. Its force/motion transmission capability, evaluation criteria arepresented. At the orthogonal configuration, the criteria and the relationships between the criteriaand the link lengths are analyzed, which is important since it can provide designer a piece ofvaluable information about how to choose the linear actuators. From the analysis of the results itis shown that the force/motion transmission capabilities of the parallel manipulator arecharacterized by isotropy at the orthogonal configuration. The manipulator is particularly suitablefor certain applications in 6-DOF micromanipulators and 6-axis force/moment transducers.

Dynamics and control of variable geometry truss manipulator

Variable geometry truss manipulator （VGTM） has potential to work in the future space applications, of which a dynamic model is important to dynamic analysis and control of the system. In this paper, an approach is presented to model the dynamic equations of a VGTM by independent variables, which consists of two double-octahedral truss units and a 3-revolute-prismatic-spherical （3-RPS） parallel manipulator. In this ap- proach, the kinematic recursive relations of two adjacent bodies and geometric constrains are used to deduce the kinematic equations of the VGTM, and Jourdain＇s velocity varia- tion principle is adopted to establish the dynamic equations of the system. The validity of the proposed dynamic model is verified by comparison of numerical simulations with the software ADAMS. Besides, an active controller for trajectory tracking of the system is designed by the computed torque method. The effectiveness of the controller is numer- ically proved.

FUZZY COORDINATION AND FORCE/POSITION CONTROL OF ROBOTIC MANIPULATOR

It is crucial for implementing force/position control of robotic manipulator under the constraint of unknown environment to determine the force control and the position control directions. This paper presents an on line algorithm to real timely estimate the tangent and the normal vectors of the constraint surface based on the measured contact force under the consideration of frictional force. A fuzzy synthesis policy is proposed to coordinate the conflict between the compliant force control and the stiff position control. An experimental study on an AdeptThree, a SCARA type robotic manipulator, is conducted. The experimental results show that the policy presented in the paper is effective.

A Decentralized Autonomous Control on Highly Redundant Robot Manipulators

The control method of highly redundant robot manipulators is introduced. A decentralized autonomous control scheme is used to guide the movement of robot manipulators so that the work done by manipulators is minimized. The method of computing pseudoinverse which needs too many complicated calculation can be avoided. Then the calculation and control of robots are simplified. At the same time system robustness/fault tolerance is achieved.

ON HYBRID POSITION/FORCE COORDINATED LEARNING CONTROL OF MULTIPLE MANIPULATORS

In this paper, coordinated control of multiple robot manipulators holding a rigid object is discussed. In consideration of inaccuracy of the dynamic model of a multiple manipulator system, the error equations on object position and internal force are derived. Then a hybrid position/force coordinated learning control scheme is presented and its convergence is proved. The scheme can improve the system performance by modifying the control input of the system after each iterative learning. Simulation results of two planar robot manipulators holding an object show the effectiveness of this control scheme.

Impedance force control for position controlled robotic manipulators under the constraint of unknown environments

A force control strategy for position controlled robotic manipulators is presented. On line force feedback data are employed to estimate the local shape of the unknown constraint. The estimated vectors are used to generate the virtual reference trajectory for the target impedance model that is driven by the force error to produce command position. By following the command position trajectory the robotic manipulator can follow the unknown constraint surface while keeping an acceptable force error in a manner depicted by the target impedance model. Computer simulation on a 3 linked planar manipulator and experimental studies on an Adept 3, an SCARA type robotic manipulator, are conducted to verify the force tracking capability of the proposed control strategy.

Motion planning for redundant prismatic-jointed manipulators in the free-floating mode

This paper investigates the motion planning of redundant free-floating manipulators with seven prismatic joints. On the earth, prismatic-jointed manipulators could only position their end-effectors in a desired way. However, in space, the end-effectors of free-floating manipulators can achieve both the desired orientation and desired position due to the dynamical coupling between manipulator and satellite movement, which is formally expressed by linear and angular momentum conservation laws. In this study, a tractable algorithm particle swarm optimization combined with differential evolution （PSODE） is provided to deal with the motion planning of redundant free-floating prismatic-jointed manipulators, which could avoid the pseudo inverse of the Jacobian matrix. The polynomial functions, as argument in sine functions are used to specify the joint paths. The co- efficients of the polynomials are optimized to achieve the desired end-effector orientation and position, and simulta- neously minimize the unit-mass-kinetic energy using the redundancy. Relevant simulations prove that this method pro- vides satisfactory smooth paths for redundant free-floating prismatic-jointed manipulators. This study could help to recognize the advantages of redundant prismatic-jointed space manipulators.

Novel Hyper-Redundant Manipulator-. Design, Study and Experiment

A novel hyper-redundant manipulator named RT1 is designed and studied. The unique feature of RT1 is all degrees of freedom (DOF) are actuated with only one motor via special designed hinge bar universal joints. The mechanisms of RT1 are introduced in detail. Some experiments are carried out in order to test the movability and adaptability of the manipulator. RT1 is actuated by pulse string and acts discretely. The discrete working space of RT1 is described and the parameter optimization for kinematical redundancy resolution is studied also. The optimization criterion is altering the design parameter as little as possible during manipulator's motion from the initial position to the expected position. An optimization example is given that is realized with Matlab optimize tool-box.

ADAPTIVE FUZZY CONTROL FOR ROBOT ARM MANIPULATOR WITH 5-DOF

To control the robot and track the designed trajectory with uncertain disturbances in a specified precision range, an adaptive fuzzy control scheme for the robot arm manipulator is discussed. The controller output error method （COEM） is used to design the adaptive fuzzy controller. A few or all of the parameters of the controller are adjusted by using the gradient descent algorithm to minimize the output error. COEM is adopted in the adaptive control system for the robot arm manipulator with 5-DOF. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the method and the real time adjustment of the parameters.

Kinematics and Dynamics Hessian Matrices of Manipulators Based on Screw Theory

The complexity of the kinematics and dynamics of a manipulator makes it necessary to simplify the modeling process.However,the traditional representations cannot achieve this because of the absence of coordinate invariance.Therefore,the coordinate invariant method is an important research issue.First,the rigid-body acceleration,the time derivative of the twist,is proved to be a screw,and its physical meaning is explained.Based on the twist and the rigid-body acceleration,the acceleration of the end-effector is expressed as a linear-bilinear form,and the kinematics Hessian matrix of the manipulator（represented by Lie bracket）is deduced.Further,Newton-Euler＇s equation is rewritten as a linear-bilinear form,from which the dynamics Hessian matrix of a rigid body is obtained.The formulae and the dynamics Hessian matrix are proved to be coordinate invariant.Referring to the principle of virtual work,the dynamics Hessian matrix of the parallel manipulator is gotten and the detailed dynamic model is derived.An index of dynamical coupling based on dynamics Hessian matrix is presented.In the end,a foldable parallel manipulator is taken as an example to validate the deduced kinematics and dynamics formulae.The screw theory based method can simplify the kinematics and dynamics of a manipulator,also the corresponding dynamics Hessian matrix can be used to evaluate the dynamical coupling of a manipulator.