Kinematic synthesis of fiber reinforced soft actuators in parallel combinations

Joshua Bishop-Moser, Girish Krishnan, Charles Kim, Sridhar Kota

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Complex controlled motions, flexible surfaces, and minimal moving mass all drive the need for soft robots using fiber reinforced elastomer enclosures (FREEs) in a parallel configuration. This paper addresses the challenge of synthesizing a design with desired kinematics, as only small portions of the entire design space have been previously investigated. A systematic characterization of the kinematic freedom, constraint, and actuation directions of all circumferentially and longitudinally repeating fiber topologies is determined. The parallel kinematics is mapped for the combinations of actuators by determining the sets of mobilities necessary in the constituent members for all possible output motions. The kinematics of all possible parallel combinations for pairs and triangular triplets of FREEs are mapped. A graphical user interface (GUI) is presented, which allows a user to input a kinematic specification and generate all feasible FREE sets and their respective kinematics. With the entire design space mapped and easily accessible, a range of possible applications across a span of kinematic requirements becomes readily attainable. A case study is performed to verify the ability of the GUI to determine feasible FREE sets for a pick-And-place manipulator task.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication36th Mechanisms and Robotics Conference
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Pages1079-1087
Number of pages9
EditionPARTS A AND B
ISBN (Print)9780791845035
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
EventASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012 - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Aug 12 2012Aug 12 2012

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
NumberPARTS A AND B
Volume4

Conference

ConferenceASME 2012 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2012
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period8/12/128/12/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design

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