To maneuver in unstructured terrains where the ground might be soft, hard, flat or rough, a transformable wheel-track robot (NEZA-I) with a self-adaptive mobile mechanism is proposed and developed. The robot consists ...To maneuver in unstructured terrains where the ground might be soft, hard, flat or rough, a transformable wheel-track robot (NEZA-I) with a self-adaptive mobile mechanism is proposed and developed. The robot consists of a control system unit, two symmetric transformable wheel-track (TWT) units, and a rear-wheel unit. The TWT unit is the main mobile mechanism for the NEZA-I robot, with the rear-wheel unit acting as an assistant mechanism. Driven only by one servomotor, each TWT unit can efficiently select between track mode and wheel mode for optimal locomotion, autonomously switching locomotion mode and track configuration with changes in the terrain. In this paper, the mechanism structure, the self-adaptive drive system, the locomotion mode and posture of the NEZA-I robot are presented, the kinematic relation of the inside parts of the TWT unit is analysed, and the mathematic model of the constraint relation between the mobile mechanism and the ground, abbreviated to "MGCR model" is set up for the NEZA-I robot to go through some typical unstructured environments. The mechanism parameters, which influence the self-adaptability of the NEZA-I robot, are found and optimized. Basic experiments show that the mobile mechanism has the self-adaptability to navigate in unstructured terrains and has superior obstacle-negotiating performance, and that the MGCR model and the analysis method of mechanism parameters are reasonable. From a mechanism point of view, it can provide an idea for research on the adaptive control of the robot.展开更多
In order to improve the robot's obstacle-climbing capability,a new bionic deformable planetary-wheeled robot based on the modular design was proposed. It mainly consisted of planetary wheels to surmount obstacles,...In order to improve the robot's obstacle-climbing capability,a new bionic deformable planetary-wheeled robot based on the modular design was proposed. It mainly consisted of planetary wheels to surmount obstacles,a transformable chassis and an averagely segmentation body. The mobile system of the robot was mainly designed while considering the chassis transformability; a deformable four-bar linkage was adopted,which could realize the robot's wheelbase conversion from storing to driving. To improve the wheels' capability of obstacle-climbing,planetary wheels were adopted. At the same time,passive adaptation to various terrains was considered in the body design and an averaging system was included,which ensured that the planetary wheels could land simultaneously in rugged grounds. The robot's steering mode was analyzed and its kinematics model was built,which provided the theoretical evidence for studying the robot motion control.展开更多
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China ("863" Program) (Grant No. 2007AA041502-5)the Technology and Innovation Fund of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘To maneuver in unstructured terrains where the ground might be soft, hard, flat or rough, a transformable wheel-track robot (NEZA-I) with a self-adaptive mobile mechanism is proposed and developed. The robot consists of a control system unit, two symmetric transformable wheel-track (TWT) units, and a rear-wheel unit. The TWT unit is the main mobile mechanism for the NEZA-I robot, with the rear-wheel unit acting as an assistant mechanism. Driven only by one servomotor, each TWT unit can efficiently select between track mode and wheel mode for optimal locomotion, autonomously switching locomotion mode and track configuration with changes in the terrain. In this paper, the mechanism structure, the self-adaptive drive system, the locomotion mode and posture of the NEZA-I robot are presented, the kinematic relation of the inside parts of the TWT unit is analysed, and the mathematic model of the constraint relation between the mobile mechanism and the ground, abbreviated to "MGCR model" is set up for the NEZA-I robot to go through some typical unstructured environments. The mechanism parameters, which influence the self-adaptability of the NEZA-I robot, are found and optimized. Basic experiments show that the mobile mechanism has the self-adaptability to navigate in unstructured terrains and has superior obstacle-negotiating performance, and that the MGCR model and the analysis method of mechanism parameters are reasonable. From a mechanism point of view, it can provide an idea for research on the adaptive control of the robot.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51305254)the Shanghai University of Engineering Science High Level Project to Cultivate Special,China(No.2012gp05)the 2012 National College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program,China(No.201210856001)
文摘In order to improve the robot's obstacle-climbing capability,a new bionic deformable planetary-wheeled robot based on the modular design was proposed. It mainly consisted of planetary wheels to surmount obstacles,a transformable chassis and an averagely segmentation body. The mobile system of the robot was mainly designed while considering the chassis transformability; a deformable four-bar linkage was adopted,which could realize the robot's wheelbase conversion from storing to driving. To improve the wheels' capability of obstacle-climbing,planetary wheels were adopted. At the same time,passive adaptation to various terrains was considered in the body design and an averaging system was included,which ensured that the planetary wheels could land simultaneously in rugged grounds. The robot's steering mode was analyzed and its kinematics model was built,which provided the theoretical evidence for studying the robot motion control.