Locomotion and manipulation optimization is essential for the performance of tetrahedron-based mobile mechanism. Most of current optimization methods are constrained to the continuous actuated system with limited degr...Locomotion and manipulation optimization is essential for the performance of tetrahedron-based mobile mechanism. Most of current optimization methods are constrained to the continuous actuated system with limited degree of freedom(DOF), which is infeasible to the optimization of binary control multi-DOF system. A novel optimization method using for the locomotion and manipulation of an 18 DOFs tetrahedron-based mechanism called 5-TET is proposed. The optimization objective is to realize the required locomotion by executing the least number of struts.Binary control strategy is adopted, and forward kinematic and tipping dynamic analyses are performed, respectively.Based on a developed genetic algorithm(GA), the optimal number of alternative struts between two adjacent steps is obtained as 5. Finally, a potential manipulation function is proposed, and the energy consumption comparison between optimal 5-TET and the traditional wheeled robot is carried out. The presented locomotion optimization and manipulation planning enrich the research of tetrahedron-based mechanisms and provide the instruction to the successive locomotion and operation planning of multi-DOF mechanisms.展开更多
This paper presents an environmental-friendly robotic system mimicking the undulating fins of a fish.To mimic the actual flexible fin of real fish,a fin-like mechanism with a series of connecting linkages is modeled a...This paper presents an environmental-friendly robotic system mimicking the undulating fins of a fish.To mimic the actual flexible fin of real fish,a fin-like mechanism with a series of connecting linkages is modeled and attached to the robotic fish,by virtue of a specially designed strip.Each link is able to turn and slide with respect to the adjacent link.These driving linkages are then used to form a mechanical fin consisting of several fin segments,which are able to produce undulations,similar to those produced by the actual fish fins.Owing to the modular and re-configurable design of the mechanical fin,we are able to construct biomimetic robotic fish with various swimming modes by fin undulations.Some qualitative and workspace observations by experiments of the robotic fish are shown and discussed.展开更多
An optimal trajectory planning method has been proposed for the walking locomotion of a biped mechanical system with thighs, shanks and small feet, which is modelled as a 3 DOF link system consisting of an inverted pe...An optimal trajectory planning method has been proposed for the walking locomotion of a biped mechanical system with thighs, shanks and small feet, which is modelled as a 3 DOF link system consisting of an inverted pendulum and a 2 DOF swing leg. The locomotion of swing and supporting legs is solved by the optimal trajectory planning based on function approximation. The optimal trajectory planning based on function approximation. The optimal walking locomotion solution with minimum square of input torque exhibits a natural walking gait with one step period of 0.64 s similar to the human walking gait by using the link parameters of an adult’s leg. It is concluded from the computation results that the method proposed in this paper has been proved to be an effective tool for solving the optimal walking locomotion and joint control torque problems for a 3 DOF biped mechanism; when the ankle joint of the supporting leg is a passive joint, a nearly, optimal walking solution can be obtained at t 1=0.49 s and t 2=10 s, and however, when the knee is a passive joint, it is impossible to obtain a solution which satisfies the constraint condition; for the link parameters used in this paper, the length of an optimal stride is 0.3 m.展开更多
Soft in-pipe robot has good adaptability in tubular circumstances,while its rigidity is insufficient,which affects the traction performance.This paper proposes a novel worm-like in-pipe robot with a rigid and soft str...Soft in-pipe robot has good adaptability in tubular circumstances,while its rigidity is insufficient,which affects the traction performance.This paper proposes a novel worm-like in-pipe robot with a rigid and soft structure,which not only has strong traction ability but also flexible mobility in the shaped pipes.Imitating the structure features of the earthworm,the bionic in-pipe robot structure is designed including two soft anchor parts and one rigid telescopic part.The soft-supporting mechanism is the key factor for the in-pipe robot excellent performance,whose mathematical model is established and the mechanical characteristics are analyzed,which is used to optimize the structural parameters.The prototype is developed and the motion control strategy is planned.Various performances of the in-pipe robot are tested,such as the traction ability,moving velocity and adaptability.For comparative analysis,different operating scenarios are built including the horizontal pipe,the inclined pipe,the vertical pipe and other unstructured pipes.The experiment results show that the in-pipe robot is suitable for many kinds of pipe applications,the average traction is about 6.8N,the moving velocity is in the range of 9.5 to 12.7 mm/s.展开更多
Animals＇ free movement in natural environments has attracted many researchers to explore control methods for bio-inspired robots. This paper presents a novel reflex mechanism based on a Central Pattern Generator （CP...Animals＇ free movement in natural environments has attracted many researchers to explore control methods for bio-inspired robots. This paper presents a novel reflex mechanism based on a Central Pattern Generator （CPG） for adaptive locomotion of limbless robots. First, inspired by the concept of reflex arc, the reflex mechanism is designed on a connectionist CPG model. Since the CPG model inspired by the spinal cord of lampreys is developed at the neuron level, it provides a possible natural solution for sensory reflex integration. Therefore, sensory neurons that bridge the external stimuli and the CPG model, together with the concept of reflex arc, are utilized for designing the sensory reflex mechanism. Then, a border reflex and a body reflex are further developed and applied on the ends and the middle part of a limbless robot, respectively. Finally, a ball hitting scenario and a corridor passing scenario are designed to verify the proposed method. Results of simulations and on-site experiments show the feasibility and effectiveness of the reflex mechanism in realizing fast response and adaptive limbless locomotion.展开更多
基金Supported by National Science-Technology Support Plan Projects of China (Grant No.2015BAK04B00)2015 Sino-German Postdoc Scholarship Program (Grant No.57165010)
文摘Locomotion and manipulation optimization is essential for the performance of tetrahedron-based mobile mechanism. Most of current optimization methods are constrained to the continuous actuated system with limited degree of freedom(DOF), which is infeasible to the optimization of binary control multi-DOF system. A novel optimization method using for the locomotion and manipulation of an 18 DOFs tetrahedron-based mechanism called 5-TET is proposed. The optimization objective is to realize the required locomotion by executing the least number of struts.Binary control strategy is adopted, and forward kinematic and tipping dynamic analyses are performed, respectively.Based on a developed genetic algorithm(GA), the optimal number of alternative struts between two adjacent steps is obtained as 5. Finally, a potential manipulation function is proposed, and the energy consumption comparison between optimal 5-TET and the traditional wheeled robot is carried out. The presented locomotion optimization and manipulation planning enrich the research of tetrahedron-based mechanisms and provide the instruction to the successive locomotion and operation planning of multi-DOF mechanisms.
文摘This paper presents an environmental-friendly robotic system mimicking the undulating fins of a fish.To mimic the actual flexible fin of real fish,a fin-like mechanism with a series of connecting linkages is modeled and attached to the robotic fish,by virtue of a specially designed strip.Each link is able to turn and slide with respect to the adjacent link.These driving linkages are then used to form a mechanical fin consisting of several fin segments,which are able to produce undulations,similar to those produced by the actual fish fins.Owing to the modular and re-configurable design of the mechanical fin,we are able to construct biomimetic robotic fish with various swimming modes by fin undulations.Some qualitative and workspace observations by experiments of the robotic fish are shown and discussed.
文摘An optimal trajectory planning method has been proposed for the walking locomotion of a biped mechanical system with thighs, shanks and small feet, which is modelled as a 3 DOF link system consisting of an inverted pendulum and a 2 DOF swing leg. The locomotion of swing and supporting legs is solved by the optimal trajectory planning based on function approximation. The optimal trajectory planning based on function approximation. The optimal walking locomotion solution with minimum square of input torque exhibits a natural walking gait with one step period of 0.64 s similar to the human walking gait by using the link parameters of an adult’s leg. It is concluded from the computation results that the method proposed in this paper has been proved to be an effective tool for solving the optimal walking locomotion and joint control torque problems for a 3 DOF biped mechanism; when the ankle joint of the supporting leg is a passive joint, a nearly, optimal walking solution can be obtained at t 1=0.49 s and t 2=10 s, and however, when the knee is a passive joint, it is impossible to obtain a solution which satisfies the constraint condition; for the link parameters used in this paper, the length of an optimal stride is 0.3 m.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,52005369Open Project Fund of Tianjin Key Laboratory of Integrated Design and Online Monitoring of Light Industry and Food Engineering Machinery and Equipment,2020LIMFE05.
文摘Soft in-pipe robot has good adaptability in tubular circumstances,while its rigidity is insufficient,which affects the traction performance.This paper proposes a novel worm-like in-pipe robot with a rigid and soft structure,which not only has strong traction ability but also flexible mobility in the shaped pipes.Imitating the structure features of the earthworm,the bionic in-pipe robot structure is designed including two soft anchor parts and one rigid telescopic part.The soft-supporting mechanism is the key factor for the in-pipe robot excellent performance,whose mathematical model is established and the mechanical characteristics are analyzed,which is used to optimize the structural parameters.The prototype is developed and the motion control strategy is planned.Various performances of the in-pipe robot are tested,such as the traction ability,moving velocity and adaptability.For comparative analysis,different operating scenarios are built including the horizontal pipe,the inclined pipe,the vertical pipe and other unstructured pipes.The experiment results show that the in-pipe robot is suitable for many kinds of pipe applications,the average traction is about 6.8N,the moving velocity is in the range of 9.5 to 12.7 mm/s.
文摘Animals＇ free movement in natural environments has attracted many researchers to explore control methods for bio-inspired robots. This paper presents a novel reflex mechanism based on a Central Pattern Generator （CPG） for adaptive locomotion of limbless robots. First, inspired by the concept of reflex arc, the reflex mechanism is designed on a connectionist CPG model. Since the CPG model inspired by the spinal cord of lampreys is developed at the neuron level, it provides a possible natural solution for sensory reflex integration. Therefore, sensory neurons that bridge the external stimuli and the CPG model, together with the concept of reflex arc, are utilized for designing the sensory reflex mechanism. Then, a border reflex and a body reflex are further developed and applied on the ends and the middle part of a limbless robot, respectively. Finally, a ball hitting scenario and a corridor passing scenario are designed to verify the proposed method. Results of simulations and on-site experiments show the feasibility and effectiveness of the reflex mechanism in realizing fast response and adaptive limbless locomotion.
