Bézier Curves on Riemannian Manifolds and Lie Groups With Kinematics Applications

In this article we generalize the concept of Bézier curves to curved spaces, and illustrate this generalization with an application in kinematics. We show how De Casteljau’s algorithm for constructing Bézier curves can be extended in a natural way to Riemannian manifolds. We then consider a special class of Riemannian manifold, the Lie groups. Because of their algebraic group structure Lie groups admit an elegant, efficient recursive algorithm for constructing Bézier curves. Spatial displacements of a rigid body also form a Lie group, and can therefore be interpolated (in the Bezier sense) using this recursive algorithm. We apply this algorithm to the kinematic problem of trajectory generation or motion interpolation for a moving rigid body.

A Method for Type Synthesis of Mechanisms Using Phase Diagrams

A method for synthesizing the types of spatial as well as planar mechanisms is expressed in this paper by using the concept of phase diagram in metallurgy. The concept represented as a type synthesis technique is applied to (a) planar mechanisms with n degrees of freedom and simple loop, (b) spatial mechanisms with single degree of freedom and simple loop, to enumerate all the possible mechanisms with physically realizable kinematic pairs. Based on the technique described, a set of new reciprocating mechanisms is generated as a practical application.

Performance Quality, Sensitivity, and Tolerance Specification of Mechanisms

By employing Taguchi’s concept to mechanism synthesis, this paper presents the theory and technique to identify a robust design, which is the least sensitive to the tolerances, for mechanisms and to determine the tolerance specification for the best performance and manufacturability. The method is demonstrated in finite and infinitesimal position synthesis. The sensitivity Jacobian is first introduced to relate the performance tolerances and the dimensional tolerances. The Rayleigh quotient of the sensitivity Jacobian, which is equivalent to Taguchi’s signal to noise ratio, is then used to define the performance quality and a sensitivity index is introduced to measure the sensitivity of the performance quality to the dimensional tolerances for the whole system. The ideal tolerance specification is obtained in closed form. It shows how the tolerance specification affects the performance quality and that the performance quality can be significantly improved by tightening a key tolerance while loosening the others. The theory is general and the technique is readily adaptable to almost any form and type of mechanical system, including multiple-loop linkages and mechanical assemblies or even structures.

A Direct Rotatability Criterion for Spherical Four-Bar Linkages

The necessary and sufficient conditions for the full input rotatability in a spherical four bar linkage are proved. The direct criterion is: for all twist angles α in the range [0, π], the excess (deficit) of the sum of the frame and input twist angles over (from) π should, in absolute value, be greater than that for the coupler and follower twist angles; the difference between the follower and input twist angles, in absolute value, should be greater than that for the coupler and follower twist angles. Application of the direct criterion to full rotatability of other links are discussed and some variations in the form of the criterion are developed.

A More Effective Formulation of the Path Generation Mechanism Synthesis Problem

Use of mathematical optimization methods for synthesis of path-generating mechanisms has had only limited success due to the very complex nature of the commonly used Structural Error objective function. The complexity arises, in part, because the objective function represents not only the error in the shape of the coupler curve, but also the error in location, orientation and size of the curve. Furthermore, the common introduction of timing (or crank angle), done generally to facilitate selection of corresponding points on the curve for calculating structural error, has little practical value and unnecessarily limits possible solutions. This paper proposes a new objective function, based on Fourier Descriptors, which allows search for coupler curve of the desired shape without reference to location, orientation, or size. The proposed objective function compares overall shape properties of curves rather than making point-by-point comparison and therefore does not requires prescription of timing. Experimental evidence is provided to show that it is much easier to search the space of the proposed objective function compared to the structural error function.

An Inverse Force Analysis of a Planar Two-Spring System

A closed-form inverse force analysis was performed on a planar two-spring system. The two springs were grounded to pivots at one end and attached to a common pivot at the other. A known force was applied to the common pivot of the system, and it was required to determine all of the assembly configurations. By variable elimination, a sixth degree polynomial in the resultant length of one spring was derived, and from this, six real solutions of the point of application of force were obtained. Following this, the applied force was incremented along a line and the six paths of the moving pivot were tracked starting from the zero-load configurations. An analysis of these results showed stability phenomena indicating the workspace of this system contained regions of negative spring stiffness and points of catastrophe.

Evaluation of Equivalent Spring Stiffness for Use in a Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model of Large-Deflection Compliant Mechanisms

Compliant mechanisms gain some or all of their mobility from the flexibility of their members rather than from rigid-body joints only. More efficient and usable analysis and design techniques are needed before the advantages of compliant mechanisms can be fully utilized. In an earlier work, a pseudo-rigid-body model concept, corresponding to an end-loaded geometrically nonlinear, large-deflection beam, was developed to help fulfill this need. In this paper, the pseudo-rigid-body equivalent spring stiffness is investigated and new modeling equations are proposed. The result is a simplified method of modeling the force/deflection relationships of large-deflection members in compliant mechanisms. Flexible segments which maintain a constant end angle are discussed, and an example mechanism is analyzed. The resulting models are valuable in the visualization of the motion of large-deflection systems, as well as the quick and efficient evaluation and optimization of compliant mechanism designs.

Notes on Screw Product Operations in the Formulations of Successive Finite Displacements

Geometrical interpretations of two line-based formulations of successive finite displacements in terms of screw product operations is discussed. The pitch of the screw product of two unit line vectors is shown to be the ratio of the distance to the tangent of the projected angle between the two lines. Finite twists in Dimentberg’s formulation are interpreted as the screw product of unit line vectors divided by the scalar product of the same unit line vectors. Finite twists in the linear representation are the screw product of unit line vectors divided by the scalar product of the direction-cosine vectors of the same lines.

Type Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms Employing a Simplified Approach to Segment Type

The formulation of design procedures for rigid-body mechanisms has benefited from the application of type-synthesis techniques. Therefore, with modifications to allow for inclusions of compliance, type synthesis is seen as a useful tool in the design of compliant mechanisms. Previous efforts have developed methods that result in a large number of possible design solutions to a given problem. This paper deals primarily with the development of a simplified compliant-mechanism type-synthesis methodology that limits the number of design solutions considered. The techniques are derived by modifying existing compliant mechanism type-synthesis techniques to yield a simpler model with greater pragmatic value.

Generating Swept Volumes With Instantaneous Screw Axes

The instantaneous screw axis is used in the generation of the swept volume of a moving object. The envelope theory is used to determine the boundary surfaces of the swept volume. Specifically, the envelope surfaces generated by a plane polygon, cylindrical and spherical surfaces are presented. Furthermore, the ruled surfaces generated by edges of the moving object are discussed.