Latest Papers

ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics

  • Mechanical Characterization of Supernumerary Robotic Tails for Human Balance Augmentation
    on August 31, 2023 at 12:00 am

    AbstractHumans are intrinsically unstable in quiet stance from a rigid body system viewpoint; however, they maintain balance, thanks to neuro-muscular sensory control properties. With increasing levels of balance related incidents in industrial and ageing populations globally each year, the development of assistive mechanisms to augment human balance is paramount. This work investigates the mechanical characteristics of kinematically dissimilar one and two degrees-of-freedom (DoF) supernumerary robotic tails for balance augmentation. Through dynamic simulations and manipulability assessments, the importance of variable coupling inertia in creating a sufficient reaction torque is highlighted. It is shown that two-DoF tails with solely revolute joints are best suited to address the balance augmentation issue. Within the two-DoF options, the characteristics of open versus closed loop tails are investigated, with the ultimate design selection requiring trade-offs between environmental workspace, biomechanical factors, and manufacturing ease to be made.

Modeling Method for Static Large Deflection Problem of Curved Planar Beams in Compliant Mechanisms Based on a Novel Governing Equation

Abstract

Slender beams serve as typical flexible components to transfer motion, force, and energy in compliant mechanisms. Therefore, the accurate and efficient kinetostatic modeling for the slender beams is highly needed in the synthesis and analysis of compliant mechanisms. Several impressive and great modeling methods have been completed by the pioneering researchers based on the governing equation of slender beams, which can solve the deflection of the beam while the beam-tip loads are known. However, parts of the beam-tip loads are unknown in some scenarios and the traditional governing equation becomes inefficient in these scenarios. The aim of this paper is to propose a novel modeling method for the compliant mechanism, which can solve the large deflection problem without iterative algorithm. In this research, a novel governing equation of slender beams has been established based on Castigliano’s principle and simplified by the differential geometry. In the proposed governing equation, the statically force equilibrium equations and geometric constraint equations between different slender beams can be established in the boundary conditions, therefore the model of compliant mechanisms can be solved directly even if parts of the beam’s tip loads and displacements are unknown. The proposed governing equation provides the deformed shapes and cross-sectional loads of the slender beams, which help the designer to check the mechanical interference and strength in the design process. The numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of proposed method.

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