Driving Torque Reduction in Linkage Mechanisms Using Joint Compliance for Robot Head

The conventional linkage mechanisms with compliant joint have been widely studied and implemented for increasing the adaptability of the mechanism to external contacts. However, the analysis of how compliant joints in linkage mechanism can reduce the energy consumption isn＇t still studied deeply. In a mobile service robot head, the actions of blinking the eyes and moving the eyeballs are realized by the planar linkage mechanism respectively. Therefore, minimizing the driving torques through motion trajectories for the linkage mechanism, which will be beneficial to extend the working time for mobile service robots. The dynamic modeling of the linkage mechanism with springs-loaded compliant joint is established. An optimization procedure for obtaining the optimal parameters of springs is proposed for minimizing the max value of driving torques within a range of desired operating conditions. The Simulations prove that the linkage mechanism with compliant joints can effectively reduce the driving torques, and reduce the energy consumption consequently. The framework can also be applied in other similar applications to reduce the driving torque and save energy. Compared with previous efforts, this is the first attempt that the linkage mechanism with complaint joint is applied in the robot head for reducing the driving torque.

Dynamic modeling and analysis of 3-■RS parallel manipulator with flexible links

The dynamic modeling and solution of the 3-RRS spatial parallel manipulators with flexible links were investigated. Firstly, a new model of spatial flexible beam element was proposed, and the dynamic equations of elements and branches of the parallel manipulator were derived. Secondly, according to the kinematic coupling relationship between the moving platform and flexible links, the kinematic constraints of the flexible parallel manipulator were proposed. Thirdly, using the kinematic constraint equations and dynamic model of the moving platform, the overall system dynamic equations of the parallel manipulator were obtained by assembling the dynamic equations of branches. FtLrthermore, a few commonly used effective solutions of second-order differential equation system with variable coefficients were discussed. Newmark numerical method was used to solve the dynamic equations of the flexible parallel manipulator. Finally, the dynamic responses of the moving platform and driving torques of the 3-RRS parallel mechanism with flexible links were analyzed through numerical simulation. The results provide important information for analysis of dynamic performance, dynamics optimization design, dynamic simulation and control of the 3-RRS flexible parallel manipulator.

DYNAMIC DESIGN OF VARIABLE SPEED PLANAR LINKAGES

A method for improving dynamic characteristics of planar linkages by activelyvarying the speed function of the input link is presented. Design criteria and constraints for thedynamic design of variable speed planar linkages are developed. Both analytical and optimizationapproaches for determining suitable input speed functions to minimize the driving torque, theshaking moment, or both simultaneously of planar linkages, subject to various design requirementsand constraints, are derived. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the design procedureand to verify its feasibility.

Command functions of open loop galvanometer scanners with optimized duty cycles

The paper approaches the problem of the command functions of galvanometer-based scanners （GS） that are necessary to produce the linear plus parabolic scanning function of the GS, which we have proved previously to produce the highest possible duty cycle （i.e., time efficiency） of the device. We have completed this theoretical aspect （which contradicted what has been stated previously in the literature, where it has been considered that the linear plus sinusoidal scanning function was the best） with the experimental study of the most used scanning functions of the GSs （sawtooth, sinusoidal and triangular）, with applications in biomedical imaging, in particular in optical coherence tomography, demonstrating that the triangular function is always the best one to be applied, from both an optical and a mechanical point of view. In the present study the input voltage/command function which should be applied to the GS to produce the desired triangular scanning function （with controlled non-linearity for the fastest possible stop-and-turn portions） was determined analytically, in relationship with the active torque that drives the device. This command function is analyzed with regard to the specific, respectively required parameters of the GS： natural frequency and damping factor, respectively scan speed and amplitude. The modeling in an open loop control structure of the GS is finally discussed as a trade-off between using the highest possible duty cycle and minimizing the maximum peaks of the input voltage.

Hybrid Loader Automatic Shift Strategy Based on Neural Network

Hybrid loader 's comprehensive performance mainly depends on the performance of hydraulic torque converter during its driving and working. Hybrid loader and hydraulic torque converter are taken for the research objects. The primary characteristic curve of hydraulic torque converter and the traction curve of hybrid loader are acquired by analyzing the characteristic parameters of hydraulic torque converter, the characteristic parameters of engine, the characteristic parameters of battery pack and geometric parameters of hybrid loader. The gear shift curves based on the best energy saving performance and the best power performance are acquired respectively with the opening of throttle,the speed of pump wheel and the speed of turbine as parameters. Then the two curves are combined to get the comprehensive gear shift curve. Radical basis function( RBF) neural network is applied to building the gear shift strategy to keep hybrid loader with the best power performance and energy saving performance. The experimental bench is set up for experimental verification. It proves that both of the power performance and energy saving performance of hybrid loader are improved effectively by using the automatic shift strategy.

Modeling, measurement and simulation of the disturbance torque generated via solar array drive assembly

The disturbance torque generated via solar array drive assembly(SADA) can significantly degrade the key performance of satellite.The discussed SADA is composed of a two-phase hybrid stepping motor and a set of two-stage straight gear reducer. Firstly, the vibration equation of the two-phase hybrid stepping motor is established via simplifying and linearizing the electromagnetic torque.Secondly, based on the vibration equation established, the disturbance torque model of SADA is created via force analysis and force system simplification. Thirdly, for precisely ground measuring the disturbance torque aroused by SADA, a measurement system,including a strain micro-vibrations measurement platform(SMMP) and a set of gravity unloading device(GUD), is designed.Fourthly, the proposed disturbance torque model is validated by measuring and simulating the disturbance torque produced via SADA driving rigid load through GUD. The results indicate that, the proposed disturbance torque model holds the ability to describe the disturbance torque caused by SADA with high precision. Finally, the disturbance torque emitted by SADA driving a flexible load, designed to simulate solar array, is modeled and simulated via using fixed-interface mode synthesis method(FIMSM). All the conclusions drawn from this article do have a meaningful help for studying the disturbance torque produced by SADA driving solar array on orbit.