Acute effect of foot strike patterns on in vivo tibiotalar and subtalar joint kinematics during barefoot running

Background:Foot kinematics,such as excessive eversion and malalignment of the hindfoot,are believed to be associated with running-related injuries.The maj ority of studies to date show that different foot strike patterns influence these specific foot and ankle kinematics.However,technical deficiencies in traditional motion capture approaches limit knowledge of in vivo joint kinematics with respect to rearfoot and forefoot strike patterns(RFS and FFS,respectively).This study uses a high-speed dual fluoroscopic imaging system(DFIS)to determine the effects of different foot strike patterns on 3D in vivo tibiotalar and subtalar joints kinematics.Methods:Fifteen healthy male recreational runners underwent foot computed tomography scanning for the construction of 3-dimensional models.A high-speed DFIS(100 Hz)was used to collect 6 degrees of freedom kinematics for participants’tibiotalar and subtalar joints when they adopted RFS and FFS in barefoot condition.Results:Compared with RFS,FFS exhibited greater internal rotation at 0%-20%of the stance phase in the tibiotalar joint.The peak internal rotation angle of the tibiotalar joint under FFS was greater than under RFS(p<0.001,Cohen’s d=0.92).RFS showed more dorsiflexion at 0%-20%of the stance phase in the tibiotalar joint than FFS.RFS also presented a larger anterior translation(p<0.001,Cohen’s d=1.28)in the subtalar joint at i nitial contact than FFS.Conclusion:Running with acute barefoot FFS increases the internal rotation of the tibiotalar joint in the early stance.The use of high-speed DFIS to quantify the movement of the tibiotalar and subtalar joint was critical to revealing the effects of RF S and FFS during running.

Configuration and Kinematics of a 3-DOF Generalized Spherical Parallel Mechanism for Ankle Rehabilitation

The kinematic equivalent model of an existing ankle-rehabilitation robot is inconsistent with the anatomical structure of the human ankle,which influences the rehabilitation effect.Therefore,this study equates the human ankle to the UR model and proposes a novel three degrees of freedom(3-DOF)generalized spherical parallel mechanism for ankle rehabilitation.The parallel mechanism has two spherical centers corresponding to the rotation centers of tibiotalar and subtalar joints.Using screw theory,the mobility of the parallel mechanism,which meets the requirements of the human ankle,is analyzed.The inverse kinematics are presented,and singularities are identified based on the Jacobian matrix.The workspaces of the parallel mechanism are obtained through the search method and compared with the motion range of the human ankle,which shows that the parallel mechanism can meet the motion demand of ankle rehabilitation.Additionally,based on the motion-force transmissibility,the performance atlases are plotted in the parameter optimal design space,and the optimum parameter is obtained according to the demands of practical applications.The results show that the parallel mechanism can meet the motion requirements of ankle rehabilitation and has excellent kinematic performance in its rehabilitation range,which provides a theoretical basis for the prototype design and experimental verification.

Kinematics ofmandibular advancement devices(MADs):Why do some MADs move the lower jaw backward duringmouth opening?

Mandibular advancement devices(MADs)are widely used treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.MADs function by advancing the lower jaw to open the upper airway.To increase patient comfort,most patients allow the mouth to be opened.However,not all systems maintain the lower jaw in a forward position during mouth opening,which results in the production of a retrusion that favors the collapse of the upper airway.Furthermore,the kinematic behavior of the mechanism formed by the mandible-device assembly depends on jaw morphology.This means that,during mouth opening,some devices cause lower jaw protrusion in some patients,but cause its retraction in others.In this study,we report the behavior of well-known devices currently on themarket.To do so,we developed a kinematic model of the lower jawdevice assembly.Thismodelwas validated for all devices analyzed using a high-resolution camera system.Our results show that some of the devices analyzed here did not produce the correct behavior during patient mouth opening.

Novel heart valve leaflet designs with stiff polymeric materials and biomimetic kinematics

Despite continuous efforts to improve the robustness of cardiac valve implants,neither bioprosthetic nor mechanical valves fulfill both hemodynamic and durability requirements.This study discussed novel flexible leaflet designs,focusing on polymeric materials with proven hemocompatibility,such as polyether ether ketone,of much higher stiffness than native tissue,aiming at optimal valve implants.A biomimetic valve with a single-curvature belly-curve(B-C)was used as a reference for new design variants with a double-curvature B-C with varying radii.Soft(13.2 MPa)and stiff(2.4 GPa)leaflet materials and different thicknesses were studied using lean simulations and in vitro experiments under physiologic hemodynamic conditions.The performance was assessed using opening pressure(OP)and orifice area(OA).The latter was determined by a newly developed automatized image processing tool.Experimental trends are in agreement with simulations and demonstrated that a buckling-inspired double-curvature leaflet design significantly enhances the trileaflet valve opening behavior,which is particularly advantageous for stiffer leaflet materials.Compared to the reference,the best-performing variant showed an OP improvement of 47%and 44%based on simulations and experiments,respectively.In contrast,the achieved mean pressure differential was directly comparable to state-of-the-art bioprosthetic valves.The OA was slightly reduced for new variants but still in the satisfying range.

Novel thick-target inverse kinematics method for the astrophysical ^(12)C+^(12)C fusion reaction

The ^(12)C+^(12)C fusion is one of the most important reactions in modern nuclear astrophysics.The trend and magnitude of the reaction rate within the Gamow window strongly influence various astrophysical processes.However,direct measurement of this reaction is extremely difficult,which makes it necessary to develop indirect methods.In this study,the ^(23)Na+p reaction system was used to study the compound nucleus ^(24)Mg.We employed a thick-target inverse kinematics method combined with theγ-charged-particle coincidence technique to measure the proton andα exit channels of ^(24)Mg.Technical details of the ^(23)Na+p thick-target inverse kinematics experiment and analysis are presented herein.

Kinematics simulation and application for machine tool based on multi-body system theory

Based on the multi-body kinematics principle, the topological structure and restriction relation among parts of machine tool and 3D multi-body model are constructed, the kinematics simulation system of machine tool is developed. The designer can observe the movement and machining course of the whole machine tool and understand accurately the kinematics parameters of components such as position, velocity and acceleration. Also the designer can estimate the pose of components in the virtual circumstance and forecast accurately and correct problems which may appear during the design before the prototype is manufactured to assure the feasibility of design scheme, shorten period of product design and reduce product cost. The simulation system is used during the design of CK1416 high speed and precision numerical control lathe. The curves of ball screw angular velocity and carriage displacement agree well with the results of theoretical calculation and the constructed model is correct.

Three Dimensional Kinematics Analysis of the Independent Suspension Multibody System

Based on the theory of multibody system dynamics, the spatial kinematics analysis of the Mcpherson independent suspension widely used in the car was carried out. A practical and simpler method was provided to reduce the number of the generalized coordinates and constraint functions. By solving the nonlinear equations, the motion of any points in the whole suspension and wheel system can be predicted, including the spatial changes of the wheel alignment parameters which are of great importance to the car performances.

Kinematics and dynamics analysis of a 3-7R parallel decoupling mechanism

One kind of movable-pair analysis method is adopted to analyze the configuration of a 3-7R （revolute-pair） parallel decoupling mechanism, and the mechanism＇s characteristics are summarized. The mechanism has three orthogonal distributional branch-chains, and all movable pairs are rotational joints. The movable platform of the mechanism has x, y, z translational decoupling directions. Furthermore, in order to verify the mechanism＇s decoupling characteristics, the mechanism＇s kinematics analysis is solved, and the mechanism＇s direct/inverse kinematics model, input/output velocities and accelerations are deduced, which confirm its decoupling movement characteristics. Finally, one kind of mechanism link decomposed-integrated approach is adopted, and the mechanism＇s dynamics model is completed with the Lagrange method, which also proves its decoupling force characteristics. All of these works provide significant theory for the further study of the mechanism＇s control strategy, design, path planning etc.

A simplified model for extreme-wave kinematics in deep sea

Based on the fifth-order Stokes regular wave theory, a simplified model for extreme-wave kinematics in deep sea was developed. In this model, from the wave records the average of two neighboring wave periods for the extreme crest or trough was defined as the period of the Stokes wave by the up and down zero-crossing methods. Then the input wave amplitude was deduced by substituting the wave period and extreme crest or trough into the expression for the fifth-order Stokes wave elevation. Thus the corresponding formula for the wave velocity can be used to describe kinematics beneath the extreme wave. By comparison with the published numerical models and experimental data, the proposed model is validated to be able to calculate the extreme wave velocity rather easily and accurately.

Construction and realization of the knowledge base and inference engine of an IDSS model for air-conditioning cooling/heating sources selection

The knowledge representation mode and inference control strategy were analyzed according to the specialties of air-conditioning cooling/heating sources selection. The constructing idea and working procedure for knowledge base and inference engine were proposed while the realization technique of the C language was discussed. An intelligent decision support system (IDSS) model based on such knowledge representation and inference mechanism was developed by domain engineers. The model was verified to have a small kernel and powerful capability in list processing and data driving, which was successfully used in the design of a cooling/heating sources system for a large-sized office building.

Application of water loop variable refrigerant flow air-conditioning system in large-scale buildings in northern China

A water loop variable refrigerant flow（WLVRF）air-conditioning system is designed to be applied in large-scale buildings in northern China.The system is energy saving and it is an integrated system consisting of a variable refrigerant flow（VRF）air-conditioning unit,a water loop and an air source heat pump.The water loop transports energy among different regions in the buildings instead of refrigerant pipes,decreasing the scale of the VRF air-conditioning unit and improving the performance.Previous models for refrigerants and building loads are cited in this investigation.Mathematical models of major equipment and other elements of the system are established using the lumped parameter method based on the DATAFIT software and the MATLAB software.The performance of the WLVRF system is simulated.The initial investments and the running costs are calculated based on the results of market research.Finally,a contrast is carried out between the WLVRF system and the traditional VRF system.The results show that the WLVRF system has a better working condition and lower running costs than the traditional VRF system.

INVERSE KINEMATICS FOR A 6 DOF MANIPULATOR BASED ON NEURAL NETWORK

A methodology is presented whereby a neural network is used to learn the inverse kinematic relationships of the position and orientation of a six joint manipulator. The arm solution for the orientation of a manipulator using a self organizing neural net is studied in this paper. A new training model of the self organizing neural network is proposed by thoroughly studying Martinetz, Ritter and Schulten′s self organizing neural network based on Kohonen′s self organizing mapping algorithm using a Widrow Hoff type error correction rule and closely combining the characters of the inverse kinematic relationship for a robot arm. The computer simulation results for a PUMA 560 robot show that the proposed method has a significant improvement over other methods documented in the references in self organizing capability and precision by training process.

KINEMATICS FEATURE ANALYSIS OF A 3-DOF COMPLIANT MECHANISM FOR MICRO MANIPULATION

Kinematics and its related issues of a 3-DOF in-parallel compliant mechanismare focused on. The micro manipulation application that requires high accuracy is developed. Designof the developed micromanipulator is based on the modified Delta mechanism. The main advantages ofthis manipulator are the use of only revolute flexure hinges and the capability to produce puretranslation theoretically. The aim is to develop an efficient kinematic model used for positioningcontrol. For this purpose, the Jacobian matrix relating the end effector position with the actuatordisplacements is obtained by both theoretical derivation and experiment. Aiming at the abnormalityin the motion capabilities of the micromanipulator found in calibration experiment, the mobility ofthe compliant mechanism on a theoretical level is analyzed by using the matrix method and screwtheory. Both the experimental and theoretical results have verified that the compliant mechanismdoes have rotational motion.

Paleozoic Accretion-Collision Events and Kinematics of Ductile Deformation in the Eastern Part of the Southern-Central Tianshan Belt, China

The Tianshan range could have been built by both late Early Paleozoicaccretion and Late Paleozoic collision events. The late Early Paleozoic Aqqikkudug-Weiya suture ismarked by Ordovician ophiolitic melange and a Silurian flysch sequence, high-pressure metamorphicrelics, and mylonitized rocks. The Central Tianshan belt could principally be an Ordovician volcanicarc; whereas the South Tianshan belt, a back-arc basin. Macro- and microstructures, along withunconformities, provide some kinematic and chronological constraints on 2-phase ductile deformation.The earlier ductile deformation occurring at ca. 400 Ma was marked by north-verging ductileshearing, yielding granulite-bearing ophiolitic melange blocks and garnet-pyroxene-facies ductiledeformation, and the later deformation, a dextral strike-slip tectonic process, occurred during theLate Carboniferous-Early Permian. Early Carboniferous molasses were deposited unconformably onpre-Carboniferous metamorphic and ductilely sheared rocks, implying the end of the early orogeny.The large-scale ductile strike-slip along the Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone was possibly caused by thesecond tectonic event, the Hercynian collision between the northern Tarim block and the southernSiberian block. Late Paleozoic granitic magmatism and superimposed structures overprinted this EarlyPaleozoic deformation belt. Results of geometric and kinematic studies suggest that the primaryframework of the Southern-Central Tianshan belt, at least the eastern part of the Tianshan belt, wasbuilt by these two phases of accretion events.

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.

Bionic Mechanism and Kinematics Analysis of Hopping Robot Inspired by Locust Jumping

A flexible-rigid hopping mechanism which is inspired by the locust jumping was proposed, and its kinematic characteris- tics were analyzed. A series of experiments were conducted to observe locust morphology and jumping process. According to classic mechanics, the jumping process analysis was conducted to build the relationship of the locust jumping parameters. The take-offphase was divided into four stages in detail. Based on the biological observation and kinematics analysis, a mechanical model was proposed to simulate locust jumping. The forces of the flexible-rigid hopping mechanism at each stage were ana- lyzed. The kinematic analysis using pseudo-rigid-body model was described by D-H method. It is confirmed that the proposed bionic mechanism has the similar performance as the locust hind leg in hopping. Moreover, the jumping angle which decides the jumping process was discussed, and its relation with other parameters was established. A calculation case analysis corroborated the method. The results of this paper show that the proposed bionic mechanism which is inspired by the locust hind limb has an excellent kinematics performance, which can provide a foundation for design and motion planning of the hopping robot.

Kinematics and Dynamics of Deployable Structures with Scissor-Like-Elements Based on Screw Theory

Because the deployable structures are complex multi-loop structures and methods of derivation which lead to simpler kinematic and dynamic equations of motion are the subject of research effort, the kinematics and dynamics of deployable structures with scissor-like-elements are presented based on screw theory and the principle of virtual work respectively. According to the geometric characteristic of the deployable structure examined, the basic structural unit is the common scissor-like-element（SLE）. First, a spatial deployable structure, comprised of three SLEs, is defined, and the constraint topology graph is obtained. The equations of motion are then derived based on screw theory and the geometric nature of scissor elements. Second, to develop the dynamics of the whole deployable structure, the local coordinates of the SLEs and the Jacobian matrices of the center of mass of the deployable structure are derived. Then, the equivalent forces are assembled and added in the equations of motion based on the principle of virtual work. Finally, dynamic behavior and unfolded process of the deployable structure are simulated. Its figures of velocity, acceleration and input torque are obtained based on the simulate results. Screw theory not only provides an efficient solution formulation and theory guidance for complex multi-closed loop deployable structures, but also extends the method to solve dynamics of deployable structures. As an efficient mathematical tool, the simper equations of motion are derived based on screw theory.

Forward kinematics analysis of parallel manipulator using modified global Newton-Raphson method

In order to obtain direct solutions of parallel manipulator without divergence in real time,a modified global Newton-Raphson(MGNR) algorithm was proposed for forward kinematics analysis of six-degree-of-freedom(DOF) parallel manipulator.Based on geometrical frame of parallel manipulator,the highly nonlinear equations of kinematics were derived using analytical approach.The MGNR algorithm was developed for the nonlinear equations based on Tailor expansion and Newton-Raphson iteration.The procedure of MGNR algorithm was programmed in Matlab/Simulink and compiled to a real-time computer with Microsoft visual studio.NET for implementation.The performance of the MGNR algorithms for 6-DOF parallel manipulator was analyzed and confirmed.Applying the MGNR algorithm,the real generalized pose of moving platform is solved by using the set of given positions of actuators.The theoretical analysis and numerical results indicate that the presented method can achieve the numerical convergent solution in less than 1 ms with high accuracy(1×10-9 m in linear motion and 1×10-9 rad in angular motion),even the initial guess value is far from the root.

Kinematics and Dynamics Analysis of a Quadruped Walking Robot with Parallel Leg Mechanism

It is desired to require a walking robot for the elderly and the disabled to have large capacity,high stiffness,stability,etc.However,the existing walking robots cannot achieve these requirements because of the weight-payload ratio and simple function.Therefore,Improvement of enhancing capacity and functions of the walking robot is an important research issue.According to walking requirements and combining modularization and reconfigurable ideas,a quadruped/biped reconfigurable walking robot with parallel leg mechanism is proposed.The proposed robot can be used for both a biped and a quadruped walking robot.The kinematics and performance analysis of a 3-UPU parallel mechanism which is the basic leg mechanism of a quadruped walking robot are conducted and the structural parameters are optimized.The results show that performance of the walking robot is optimal when the circumradius R,r of the upper and lower platform of leg mechanism are 161.7 mm,57.7 mm,respectively.Based on the optimal results,the kinematics and dynamics of the quadruped walking robot in the static walking mode are derived with the application of parallel mechanism and influence coefficient theory,and the optimal coordination distribution of the dynamic load for the quadruped walking robot with over-determinate inputs is analyzed,which solves dynamic load coupling caused by the branches’ constraint of the robot in the walk process.Besides laying a theoretical foundation for development of the prototype,the kinematics and dynamics studies on the quadruped walking robot also boost the theoretical research of the quadruped walking and the practical applications of parallel mechanism.

Kinematics Analysis of Mechanisms Based on Virtual Assembly

Currently, virtual assembly technology has attracted increasing attention due to considerations of solving assembly problems in virtual environment before actual assembly in manufactory. Previous studies on kinematic analysis of mechanism only aim at analyzing motion law of single mechanism, but can not simulate the multi-mechanisms motion process at the same time, let alone simulating the automatic assembly process of products in a whole assembly workshop. In order to simulate the assembly process of products in an assembly workshop and provide effective data for analyzing mechanical performance after finishing assembly simulation in virtual environment, this study investigates the kinematics analysis of mechanisms based on virtual assembly. Firstly, in view of the same function of the kinematic pairs and the assembly constraints on restricting the motion of components （subassembly or part）, the method of identifying kinematic pairs automatically based on assembly constraints is presented. The information of kinematic pairs can be obtained through calculating the constraint degree of the assembly constraints. Secondly, the incidence matrix eliminating element method is proposed in order to search the information and establish the models of mechanisms automatically after finishing assembly simulation in virtual environment. Both methods have important significance for reducing the workload of pretreatment and promoting the level of automation of kinematics analysis. Finally, the method of kinematics analysis of mechanisms is presented. Based on Descartes coordinates, three types of kinematics equations are formed. The parameters, like displacement, velocity, and acceleration, can be obtained by solving these equations. All these data are important to analyze mechanical performance. All the methods are implemented and validated in the prototype system virtual assembly process planning（VAPP）. The mechanism models are established and simulated in the VAPP system, and the result curves are shown accurately. The proposed kinematics analysis of mechanisms based on virtual assembly provides an effective method for simulating product assembly process automatically and analyzing mechanical performance after finishing assembly simulation.