Given the advantages of parallel manipulators and lightweight manipulators, a 3-PRR planar parallel manipulator with three lightweight intermediate links has been developed to provide an alternative high-speed pick-and-place positioning mechanism to serial architecture manipulators in electronic manufacturing, such as X-Y tables or gantry robots. Lightweight members are more likely to exhibit structural defection and vibrate due to the inertial forces from high speed motion, and external forces from actuators. Structural flexibility effects are much more pronounced at high operational speeds and accelerations. Therefore, this thesis presents the dynamics and vibration control of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. Firstly, a procedure for the generation of dynamic equations for a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links is presented based on the assumed mode method. The dynamic equations of the parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links are developed using pinned-pinned boundary conditions. Experimental modal tests are performed using an impact hammer and an accelerometer to identify the mode shapes, frequencies, and damping ratios of flexible intermediate links. The mode shapes and frequencies, obtained from experimental modal tests, match very well the assumed mode shapes and frequencies obtained based on pinned-pinned boundary conditions, and therefore the dynamic model developed is validated. Secondly, this thesis presents the investigation on dynamic stiffening and buckling of the flexible links of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator by including the effect of longitudinal forces on the modal characteristics. Natural frequencies of bending vibration of the intermediate links are derived as the functions of axial force and rigid-body motion of the manipulator. Dynamic stiffening and buckling of intermediate links is investigated and configuration-dependant frequencies are analyzed. Furthermore, using Lagrange multipliers, the fully coupled equations of motions of the flexible parallel manipulator are developed by incorporating the rigid body motions with elastic motions. The mutual dependence of elastic deformations and rigid body motions are investigated from the analysis of the derived equations of motion. Open-loop simulation without joint motion controls and closed-loop simulation with joint motion controls are performed to illustrate the effect of elastic motion on rigid body motions and the coupling effect amongst flexible links. These analyses and results provide valuable insight into the design and control of the parallel manipulator with flexible intermediate links. Thirdly, an active vibration control strategy is developed for a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with flexible links, each of which is equipped with multiple PZT control pairs. The active vibration controllers are designed using the modal strain rate feedback (MSRF). The amplification behavior of high modes is addressed, and the control gain selection strategy for high modes is developed through modifying the IMSC method. The filters are developed for the on-line estimation of modal coordinates and modal velocity. The second compensator is used to cut off the amplified noises and unmodeled dynamics due to the differentiation operation in the developed controller. The modal coupling behavior of intermediate links is examined with the modal analysis of vibrations measured by the PZT sensors. The error estimation of the moving platform is examined using the measurement of PZT sensors. Finally, an active vibration control experimental system is built to implement the active vibration control of a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. The smart structures are built through mounting three PZT control pairs to each intermediate flexible link. The active vibration control system is set up using National Instruments LabVIEW Real-Time Module. Active vibration control experiments are conducted for the manipulator moving with high-speed, and experimental results demonstrate that the vibration of each link is significantly reduced.

Given the advantages of parallel manipulators and lightweight manipulators, a 3-PRR planar parallel manipulator with three lightweight intermediate links has been developed to provide an alternative high-speed pick-and-place positioning mechanism to serial architecture manipulators in electronic manufacturing, such as X-Y tables or gantry robots. Lightweight members are more likely to exhibit structural defection and vibrate due to the inertial forces from high speed motion, and external forces from actuators. Structural flexibility effects are much more pronounced at high operational speeds and accelerations. Therefore, this thesis presents the dynamics and vibration control of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. Firstly, a procedure for the generation of dynamic equations for a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links is presented based on the assumed mode method. The dynamic equations of the parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links are developed using pinned-pinned boundary conditions. Experimental modal tests are performed using an impact hammer and an accelerometer to identify the mode shapes, frequencies, and damping ratios of flexible intermediate links. The mode shapes and frequencies, obtained from experimental modal tests, match very well the assumed mode shapes and frequencies obtained based on pinned-pinned boundary conditions, and therefore the dynamic model developed is validated. Secondly, this thesis presents the investigation on dynamic stiffening and buckling of the flexible links of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator by including the effect of longitudinal forces on the modal characteristics. Natural frequencies of bending vibration of the intermediate links are derived as the functions of axial force and rigid-body motion of the manipulator. Dynamic stiffening and buckling of intermediate links is investigated and configuration-dependant frequencies are analyzed. Furthermore, using Lagrange multipliers, the fully coupled equations of motions of the flexible parallel manipulator are developed by incorporating the rigid body motions with elastic motions. The mutual dependence of elastic deformations and rigid body motions are investigated from the analysis of the derived equations of motion. Open-loop simulation without joint motion controls and closed-loop simulation with joint motion controls are performed to illustrate the effect of elastic motion on rigid body motions and the coupling effect amongst flexible links. These analyses and results provide valuable insight into the design and control of the parallel manipulator with flexible intermediate links. Thirdly, an active vibration control strategy is developed for a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with flexible links, each of which is equipped with multiple PZT control pairs. The active vibration controllers are designed using the modal strain rate feedback (MSRF). The amplification behavior of high modes is addressed, and the control gain selection strategy for high modes is developed through modifying the IMSC method. The filters are developed for the on-line estimation of modal coordinates and modal velocity. The second compensator is used to cut off the amplified noises and unmodeled dynamics due to the differentiation operation in the developed controller. The modal coupling behavior of intermediate links is examined with the modal analysis of vibrations measured by the PZT sensors. The error estimation of the moving platform is examined using the measurement of PZT sensors. Finally, an active vibration control experimental system is built to implement the active vibration control of a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. The smart structures are built through mounting three PZT control pairs to each intermediate flexible link. The active vibration control system is set up using National Instruments LabVIEW Real-Time Module. Active vibration control experiments are conducted for the manipulator moving with high-speed, and experimental results demonstrate that the vibration of each link is significantly reduced.

No description available.

[pt] Simuladores de movimentos são sistemas mecatrônicos que reproduzem as principais atitudes e movimentos de um veículo. Neste estudo serão analisados simuladores baseados em mecanismos com 3 e 6 graus de liberdade. No segundo caso, o mecanismo é capaz de reproduzir todos os ângulos de atitude (rolagem, arfagem e guinada) e todos os deslocamentos lineares (lateral, vertical e longitudinal) com limitações, porém com amplitude suficiente de modo a possibilitar os principais movimentos associados ao veículo. O uso de transdutores de deslocamento linear nestes mecanismos articulados introduzem elevados efeitos de inércia, além de aumentar a massa dos mesmos, diminuindo sua relação carga/peso e sua eficiência. Atualmente, o grande desenvolvimento de sensores do tipo unidade de medição inercial (IMU) aumentou a disponibilidade destes no mercado e reduziu muito seu custo. Como se trata de acelerômetros triaxiais em conjunto com girômetros também triaxiais, sensores como este podem ser usados para determinar a posição e a orientação no espaço de mecanismos com seis graus de liberdade, como a Plataforma Stewart. Neste trabalho será desenvolvida uma metodologia para modelagem da cinemática de mecanismos paralelos baseada nos derivativos de suas matrizes jacobianas. Esta metodologia é avaliada em um mecanismo paralelo plano de três graus de liberdade e em uma Plataforma Stewart. Com a metodologia de modelagem validada, é implementada uma estratégia de controle baseada no uso de um sensor tipo central inercial para o controle de posição, velocidade e aceleração destes mecanismos. Os resultados das simulações indicam a possibilidade do uso destes sensores nestes tipos de equipamentos e apontam para a necessidade de avaliar esta metodologia em testes experimentais. / [en] Movement simulators are mechatronic systems that reproduce the main attitudes and movements of a vehicle. In this study are examined simulators based on 3 and 6 degrees of freedom mechanisms. In the second case, the mechanism is able to reproduce all the attitude angles (roll, pitch and yaw) and all the linear displacements (sway, heave and surge) with limitations, but with sufficient amplitude to enable the main movements associated with the vehicle. The use of linear displacement transducers in these articulated mechanisms introduce high inertia effects and increase the mass, decreasing the load/weight ratio and efficiency. Currently, the great development of the inertial central type sensors (IMU – Inertial measurement unit) increased the availability of these transducers on market and greatly reduced cost. Since this is a conjunct of triaxial accelerometers with triaxial gyrometers, sensors such as these ones can be used to determine the position and orientation in space of mechanisms with six degrees of freedom, such as the Stewart Platform. In this work it will be developed a methodology for modeling the kinematics of parallel mechanisms based on derivatives of their jacobian matrices. This methodology is evaluated in a planar parallel mechanism of three degrees of freedom and on a Stewart Platform. With the modeling methodology validated, a control strategy based on the use of an inertial unit type sensor for controlling the position, velocity and acceleration of these mechanisms is implemented. The simulations results indicate the possibility of using these sensors in these types of equipment and point to the need to evaluate this methodology in experimental tests.

A unique Unmanned Aerial Manipulator (UAM), also termed an aerial robot, is the subject of this thesis. A UAM is composed of a floating base attached to a manipulator that enables it to interact physically with the environment. The floating base is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the manipulator is defined as a two-cable underactuated Cable Driven Parallel Robot (CDPR). This specific design of a UAM is, to the author’s best knowledge, a novel concept. The thesis is done in collaboration with Airforestry, a company currently developing a solution for aerial forest thinning aiming to provide a more sustainable and efficient way to thin forests. Forest thinning today involves using heavy ground equipment that can cause damage to the surrounding environment and climate. The solution includes a UAV hovering over a chosen tree and attaching a tool (the manipulator) to it, cutting it, lifting it, and then transporting it. The thesis presents a planar model, control method, and simulation of the UAM system. The kinematic and dynamic models of the UAM are derived. A Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller is implemented for flying the UAV and another for controlling the cables. The model is simulated and examined by commanding the UAM to specific set-points under different circumstances such as comparing the UAV flying with and without the tool, changing the length of the cables, and changing the placement of the manipulators Center of Mass (CoM). Overall, the degree project provides a solid model foundation for the specific UAM which can be built upon and further improved. / En specifik Obemannad Flygande Manipulator (UAM), även kallad en flygande robot, är ämnet för denna avhandling. En UAM består av en flytande bas som är fäst vid en manipulator, vilket gör det möjligt för den att interagera med omgivningen. Den flytande basen är ett Obemannat Flygfordon (UAV) och manipulatorn definieras som en tvåkabel-aktuerad kabeldriven parallellrobot (CDPR). Denna specifika design av en UAM är, enligt författarens bästa kunskap, ett nytt koncept. Avhandlingen utförs i samarbete med Airforestry, ett företag som för närvarande utvecklar en lösning för skogsavverkning från luften i syfte att erbjuda ett mer hållbart och effektivt sätt att tunna ut skogar. Skogsavverkning idag innebär användning av tunga markmaskiner som kan skada den omgivande miljön och klimatet. Lösningen inkluderar en UAV som svävar över ett valt träd och fäster ett verktyg (manipulatorn) på det, skär det, lyfter det och transporterar det sedan bort. Avhandlingen presenterar en planarmodell, kontrollmetod och simulering av UAM-systemet. De kinematiska och dynamiska modellerna för UAM härleds. En proportionell-derivativ (PD) kontroller implementeras för att styra UAV:n och en annan för att kontrollera kablarna. Modellen simuleras och undersöks genom att styra UAM:n till specifika målpunkter under olika omständigheter, såsom att jämföra UAV-flygning med och utan verktyget, ändra längden på kablarna och ändra placeringen av manipulatorns masscentrum (CoM).svis ger examensarbetet en stabil modellgrund för den specifika UAM:n, som kan byggas vidare och förbättras.

Researchers have offered a variety of solutions for overcoming the old and challenging problem of undesired vibrations. The optimum vibration-control solution that can be a passive, semi-active or active solution, is chosen based on the desired level of vibration-control, the budget and the nature of the vibration source. Mechanical vibration-control systems, which work based on variable stiffness control, are categorized as semi-active solutions. They are advantageous for applications with multiple excitation frequencies, such as seismic applications. The available mechanical variable stiffness systems that are used for vibration-control, however, are slow and usually big, and their slowness and size have limited their application. A new semi-active variable stiffness solution is introduced and developed in this thesis to address these challenges by providing a faster vibration-control system with a feasible size. The new solution proposed in this thesis is a semi-active variable stiffness mount/isolator called the antagonistic Variable Stiffness Mount (VSM), which uses a variable stiffness spring called the Antagonistic Variable stiffness Spring (AVS). The AVS is a kinematically singular prestressable mechanism. Its stiffness can be changed by controlling the prestress of the mechanisms links. The AVS provides additional stiffness for a VSM when such stiffness is needed and remains inactive when it is not needed. The damping of the VSM is constant and an additional constant stiffness in the VSM supports the deadweight. Two cable-mechanisms - kinematically singular cable-driven mechanisms and Prism Tensegrities - are developed as AVSs in this thesis. Their optimal configurations are identified and a general formulation for their prestress stiffness is provided by using the notion of infinitesimal mechanism. The feasibility and practicality of the AVS and VSM are demonstrated through a case study of a typical engine mount by simulation of the mathematical models and by extensive experimental analysis. A VSM with an adjustable design, a piezo-actuation mechanism and a simple on-off controller is fabricated and tested for performance evaluation. The performance is measured based on four criteria: (1) how much the VSM controls the displacement near the resonance, (2) how well the VSM isolates the vibration at high frequencies, (3) how well the VSM controls the motion caused by shock, and (4) how fast the VSM reacts to control the vibration. For this evaluation, first the stiffness of the VSM was characterized through static and dynamic tests. Then performance of the VSM was evaluated and compared with an equivalent passive mount in two main areas of transmissibility and shock absorption. The response time of the VSM is also measured in a realistic scenario.

No description available.

At the beginning of this master’s thesis the definition of types of robots using parallel kinematics are presented, its possibilities of usage and current prototypes are described. The second chapter focuses on the proposal of robot construction and sizing electric and non-electric components of robot hardware. Derivation of direct and inverse transform mechanisms with creating flowcharts of their algorithms are stated in the two following chapters. The state machine controlled from user interface is then programmed based on these flowcharts. At the end of the work, cable-driven robot positioning accuracy is evaluated and platform workspace, together with motion and electric parameters, are measured.

Chaque année, plus de 5 millions de personne à travers le monde deviennent hémiplégiques suite à un accident vasculaire cérébral. Ce soudain déficit neurologique conduit bien souvent à une perte partielle ou totale de la station debout et/ou à la perte de la capacité de déambulation. Dans l’optique de proposer de nouvelles solutions d’assistance situées entre le fauteuil roulant et le déambulateur, cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet ANR TECSAN VHIPOD « véhicule individuel de transport en station debout auto-équilibrée pour personnes handicapées avec aide à la verticalisation ». Dans ce contexte, ces travaux de recherche apportent des éléments de réponse à deux problématiques fondamentales du projet : l’assistance au passage assis-debout (PAD) des personnes hémiplégiques et le déplacement à l’aide d’un véhicule auto-équilibré à deux roues. Ces problématiques sont abordées du point de vue de la robotique avec comme question centrale : peut-on utiliser l’approche Takagi-Sugeno (TS) pour la synthèse d’une commande ? Dans un premier temps, la problématique de mobilité des personnes handicapées a été traitée sur la base d’une solution de type gyropode. Des lois de commande basées sur les approches TS standard et descripteur ont été proposées afin d’étudier la stabilisation des gyropodes dans des situations particulières telles que le déplacement sur un terrain en pente ou le franchissement de petites marches. Les résultats obtenus ont non seulement permis d’aboutir à un concept potentiellement capable de franchir des obstacles, mais ils ont également permis de souligner la principale difficulté liée à l’applicabilité de l’approche TS en raison du conservatisme des conditions LMIs (inégalités matricielles linéaires). Dans un second temps, un banc d’assistance au PAD à architecture parallèle a été conçu. Ce type de manipulateur constitué de multiples boucles cinématiques présente un modèle dynamique très complexe (habituellement donné sous forme d’équations différentielles ordinaires). L’application de lois de commande basées sur l’approche TS est souvent vouée à l’échec compte tenu du grand nombre de non-linéarités dans le modèle. Afin de remédier à ce problème, une nouvelle approche de modélisation a été proposée. À partir d’un jeu de coordonnées bien particulier, le principe des puissances virtuelles est utilisé pour générer un modèle dynamique sous forme d’équations algébro-différentielles (DAEs). Cette approche permet d’aboutir à un modèle quasi-LPV où les seuls paramètres variants représentent les multiplicateurs de Lagrange issus de la modélisation DAE. Les résultats obtenus ont été validés en simulation sur un robot parallèle à 2 degrés de liberté (ddl) puis sur un robot parallèle à 3 ddl développé pour l’assistance au PAD. / Every year more than 5 million people worldwide become hemiplegic as a direct consequence of stroke. This neurological deficiency, often leads to a partial or a total loss of standing up abilities and /or ambulation skills. In order to propose new supporting solutions lying between the wheelchair and the walker, this thesis comes within the ANR TECSAN project named VHIPOD “self-balanced transporter for disabled persons with sit-to-stand function”. In this context, this research provides some answers for two key issues of the project : the sit-to-stand assistance (STS) of hemiplegic people and their mobility through a two wheeled self-balanced solution. These issues are addressed from a robotic point of view while focusing on a key question : are we able to extend the use of Takagi-Sugeno approach (TS) to the control of complex systems ? Firstly, the issue of mobility of disabled persons was treated on the basis of a self-balanced solution. Control laws based on the standard and descriptor TS approaches have been proposed for the stabilization of gyropod in particular situations such as moving along a slope or crossing small steps. The results have led to the design a two-wheeled transporter which is potentially able to deal with the steps. On the other hand, these results have also highlighted the main challenge related to the use of TS approach such as the conservatisms of the LMIs constraints (Linear Matrix Inequalities). In a second time, a test bench for the STS assistance based on parallel kinematic manipulator (PKM) was designed. This kind of manipulator characterized by several closed kinematic chains often presents a complex dynamical model (given as a set of ordinary differential equations, ODEs). The application of control laws based on the TS approach is often doomed to failure given the large number of non-linear terms in the model. To overcome this problem, a new modeling approach was proposed. From a particular set of coordinates, the principle of virtual power was used to generate a dynamical model based on the differential algebraic equations (DAEs). This approach leads to a quasi-LPV model where the only varying parameters are the Lagrange multipliers derived from the constraint equations of the DAE model. The results were validated on simulation through a 2-DOF (degrees of freedom) parallel robot (Biglide) and a 3-DOF manipulator (Triglide) designed for the STS assistance.

Haptic feedback is a growing phenomenon that incorporates the sense of touch through tactile sensations such as vibrations, electrical signals, air pressure, and sound waves or through force feedback, which employs torques and/or forces to replicate the pressure and weight of a simulated object. Utilizing haptic technology establishes a communication bridge between the user and the technical component, enhancing the user's understanding of the technical component's surroundings. This thesis focuses on designing a force feedback haptic device with an impedance control strategy, enabling the imposition of dynamic behavior during simulated robot interactions. Impedance control is a commonly employed approach in haptic devices, utilizing a mass-spring-damper model to vary stiffness, damping, and inertia levels, thereby simulating realistic forces and torques in master-slave interactions.  Initially, a haptic device resembling the shape of a Delta robot was designed using Solidworks, with size and weight distribution serving as the primary design considerations. Subsequently, the device was further represented using a generic robot description format, incorporating the design's joints and links. This representation was then paired with kinematic connections delineating the robot's motion and dynamic matrices to simulate the robot's movement. Alongside the integration of an impedance control strategy, simulations were conducted to emulate robot interactions. These simulations tested the system under various conditions, including scenarios with and without introduced torque disturbances. Including torque disturbances was intended to enhance the simulation's realism and assess the impact of impedance control parameter choices on the system's behavior. In summary, the research concludes how a closed-chain robot, the Delta robot, can be modeled as a haptic device with an impedance control strategy, offering valuable guidance for future research. / Haptisk återkoppling är ett växande fenomen som integreras i allt fler användningsområden. Genom att återskapa känslan av att röra vid eller interagera med föremål, antingen genom att simulera taktila sensationer som vibrationer, elektriska signaler, lufttryck och ljudvågor eller genom att återge kraftåterkoppling till användaren, kan användarens förståelse för tekniska komponenter och deras omgivning öka. Kraftåterkoppling möjliggör imitation av tryck och vikt hos simulaterade objekt, vilket förbättrar realismen i användarupplevelsen. Detta examensarbete har inriktat sig på att designa en haptisk pryl med kraftåterkoppling och en styrmekanism baserad på impedanskontroll. Genom att implementera impedanskontroll kan dynamiska beteenden inkorporeras i systemet genom varierande styrka, dämpning och tröghet. Dessa impedansparametrar möjliggör realistiska simuleringar av kraft och vridmoment i samband med virtuella robotinteraktioner. Först utformades en haptisk pryl som efterliknar formen av en Delta-robot med hjälp av CAD-programmet Solidworks. Här var storlek och viktfördelning primära överväganden i designprocessen. Därefter representerades enheten genom en generisk robotbeskrivning som inkluderade dess leder och länkar. Denna representation kopplades sedan ihop med kinematiska samband som reglerade enhetens rörelse. Tillsammans med integreringen av impedanskontrollstrategin genomfördes simuleringar som efterliknade robotinteraktioner. Dessa simuleringar omfattade olika scenarier, inklusive de med vridmomentsstörningar och de utan. Syftet med att inkludera vridmomentsstörningar var att öka realismen i simuleringen och utvärdera påverkan av valda parametrar för impedanskontrollen på systemets beteende. Sammanfattningsvis har detta arbete resulterat i utformningen av en haptisk pryl med kraftåterkoppling, som efterliknar en Delta-robot. Prylen har modellerats som en trädstruktur, med kinematiska samband som sammanfogar dess ändnoder. Det här arbetet har bidragit till kunskapen om hur realistiska haptiska interaktioner kan skapas och öppnat möjligheter för framtida forskning och utveckling inom detta område.