Development and Calibration of a Hyperstatic Six-component Force/Torque Sensor

The six-component force/torque sensor has become one kind of the most important sensors with the ability of measuring all the external forces and torques. A novel hyperstatic six-component force/torque sensor based on the Stewart platform structure, which can be used for the force measurement of the robot wrist, is proposed, and its structural optimal design, finite element analysis and calibration experimentation is presented. The characteristic of the sensor structure is analyzed in comparison with the traditional Stewart platform-based sensor. The mathematical expression of the sensor＇s force mapping matrix is introduced. The condition number and generalized amplifying coefficient defined by singular values of force Jacobian matrix are used to evaluate the performances of isotropy and sensitivity of the sensor respectively. The optimal design of the sensor structure is performed with the objective of achieving high measurement sensitivity and good isotropy. The sensor prototype is fabricated, and the static and dynamic characteristics of the sensor are analyzed with finite element analysis software package ANSYS. The calibration device is manufactured, and the data acquisition and processing system is developed. The theoretical and experimental study of the static calibration of the sensor prototype is carried out. The results of simulation analysis and calibration experimentation prove the feasibility of the hyperstatic sensor structure, and the contents of this paper possess theoretical significance and engineering value for the further research and practical application of the six-component force sensor.

Miniature 6-axis force/torque sensor for force feedback in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery

In order to restore force sensation to robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery(RMIS),design and performance evaluation of a miniature 6-axis force/torque sensor for force feedback is presented.Based on the resistive sensing method,a flexural-hinged Stewart platform is designed as the flexible structure,and a straightforward optimization method considering the force and sensitivity isotropy of the sensor is proposed to determine geometric parameters which are best suited for the given external loads.The accuracy of this method is preliminarily discussed by finite element methods(FEMs).The sensor prototype is fabricated with the development of the electronic system.Calibration and dynamic loading tests for this sensor prototype are carried out.The working ranges of this sensor prototype are 30 N and 300 N·mm,and resolutions are 0.08 N in radial directions,0.25 N in axial direction,and 2.4 N·mm in rotational directions.It also exhibits a good capability for a typical dynamic force sensing at a frequency close to the normal heart rate of an adult.The sensor is compatible with surgical instruments for force feedback in RMIS.

Design and calibration of spoke piezoelectric six-dimensional force/torque sensor for space manipulator

The large manipulator outside the space cabin is a multi-degree of freedom actuator for space operations.In order to realize the automatic control and flexible operation of the space manipulator,a novel spoke structure piezoelectric six-dimensional force/torque sensor with redundancy ability,high stiffness and good decoupling performance is innovatively proposed.Based on the deformation coordination relationship,the redundancy measurement mechanism is revealed.The mathematical models of the sensor with and without branch fault are established respectively.The finite element model is established to verify the feasibility of structure and redundancy measuring principle of the sensor.Depending on the theoretical analysis and simulation analysis,the prototype of the sensor is developed.Static and dynamic calibration experiments are carried out.The actual output voltage signal of the six-dimensional force/torque sensor is collected to establish the equation between the standard input applied load and the actual output voltage signal.Based on ant colony optimized BP algorithm,performance indexes of the sensor with and without branch fault are analyzed respectively.The experimental results show that the spoke piezoelectric sixdimensional force/torque sensor with the eight-point support structure has good accuracy and reliability.Meanwhile,it has strong decoupling characteristic that can effectively shield the coupling between dimensions.The nonlinear errors and maximum interference errors of decoupled data with and without branch faults are less than 1% and 2%,respectively.The natural frequency of the sixdimensional force sensor can reach 2856.45 Hz and has good dynamic characteristics.The research content lays a theoretical and experimental foundation for the design,development and application of the new six-dimensional force/torque sensors with redundancy.Meanwhile,it will significantly improve the research level in this field,and provide a strong guarantee for the smooth implementation of force feedback control of the space station manipulator project.