Two-dimensional PSD based automatic docking of self-reconfiguration modular exploration robot system

Based on the design of a docking mechanism,this paper thoroughly investigates the space automatic doc- king of self-reconfiguration modular exploration robot system(RMERS).The method that leads robot to achieve space docking by using two-dimensional PSD is put forward innovatively for the median size robot system.At the same time,in order to enlarge the detecting extension and the precision of PSD and reduce its dependence on light- ing signal,the PSD was remade by increasing the optical device over its light-sensitive surface.The emission board and LED light scheduling were designed according to docking arithmetic,and the operating principle of docking process was analyzed based on these.The simulation experiments were carried out and their results are presented.

A creative design of robotic visual tracking system in tailed welded blanks based on TRIZ

According to the main tools of TRIZ, the theory of inventive problem solving, a new flowchart of the product conceptual design process to solve contradiction in TRIZ is proposed. In order to realize autonomous moving and automatic weld seam tracking for welding robot in Tailed Welded Blanks, a creative design of robotic visual tracking system bused on CMOS has been developed by using the flowchart. The new system is not only used to inspect the workpiece ahead of a welding torch and measure the joint orientation and lateral deviation caused by curvature or discontinuity in the joint part, but also to record and measure the image size of the weld pool. Moreover, the hardware and software components are discussed in brief.

STATICS ANALYSIS AND OPENGL BASED 3D SIMULATION OF COLLABORATIVE RECONFIGURABLE PLANETARY ROBOTS

Objective To study mechanics characteristics of two cooperative reconfigurable planetary robots when they get across an obstacle, and to find out the relationship between the maximum height of a stair with the configuration of the two-robot, and to find some restrictions of kinematics for the cooperation. Methods Multirobot cooperation theory is used in the whole study process. Inverse kinematics of the robot is used to form a desired configuration in the cooperation process. Static equations are established to analyze the relations between the friction factor, the configuration of robots and the maximum height of a stair. Kinematics analysis is used to find the restrictions of the two collaborative robots in position, velocity and acceleration. Results 3D simulation shows that the two cooperative robots can climb up a stair under the condition of a certain height and a certain friction factor between robot wheel and the surface of the stair. Following the restrictions of kinematics, the climbing mission is fulfilled successfully and smoothly. Conclusion The maximum height of a stair, which the two cooperative robots can climb up, is involved in the configuration of robots, friction factor between the stair and the robots. The most strict restriction of the friction factor does not appear in the horizontal position. In any case, the maximum height is smaller than half of the distance between the centroid of robot1 with the centroid of robot2. However, the height can be higher than the radius of one robot wheel, which profit from the collaboration.

Kinematics analysis of a robotic rock grinder

With the aim to discover water, life and resources in other planets, robotic sampling instrument is a crucial part of the space exploration robot. To remove dusty and weathered surfaces and expose the fresh rock underneath the planetary surface, a robotic rock grinder is considered to replace the geolo- gist’s rock hammer to carry out the geological investigation. A primary prototype of the robotic rock grinder with three degrees of freedom has been developed in this paper. Planetary transmission system is used in the grinding driving system with two inputs (rotation motor and revolution motor) and two outputs (grinding wheel and cutting brush). The grinding wheel with two teeth has been used to abrade the rock. The cutting brush is used to sweep the debris. The third actuator is to feed the grinding sys- tem. Kinematics of the grinding system has been analyzed. To get a continuous and smooth fresh face over the rock, grinding trajectory of the grinding wheel has been discussed and planned. Lastly, abra- sion experiments have been made to testify the feasibility and the basic function of this system.

Center-configuration selection technique for the reconfigurable modular robot

The reconfigurable modular robot has an enormous amount of configurations to adapt to various environments and tasks. It greatly increases the complexity of configuration research in that the possible configuration number of the reconfigurable modular robot grows exponentially with the increase of module number. Being the initial configuration or the basic configuration of the reconfigurable robot, the center-configuration plays a crucial role in system＇s actual applications. In this paper, a novel center-configuration selection technique has been proposed for re- configurable modular robots. Based on the similarities between configurations＇ transformation and graph theory, configuration network has been applied in the modeling and analyzing of these configurations. Configuration adjacency matrix, reconfirmation cost matrix, and center-configuration coefficient have been defined for the configuration network correspondingly. Being similar to the center-location problem, the center configuration has been selected according to the largest center-configuraUon coefficient. As an example of the reconfigurable robotic system, AMOEBA-I, a three-module reconfigurable robot with nine configurations which was developed in Shenyang Institute of Automation （SIA）, Chinese Academy of Sciences （CAS）, has been introduced briefly. According to the numerical simulation result, the center-configuration coefficients for these nine configurations have been calculated and compared to validate this technique. Lastly, a center-configuration selection example is provided with consideration of the adjacent configurations. The center-configuration selection technique proposed in this paper is also available to other reconfigurable modular robots.