The purpose of this thesis is to develop a position control method for parallel manipulators so that the end effector can follow a desired trajectory specified in the task space where joint flexibility that occurs at the actuated joints is also taken into consideration. At the beginning of the study, a flexible joint is modeled, and the equations of motion of the parallel manipulators are derived for both actuator variables and joint variables by using the Lagrange formulation under three assumptions regarding dynamic coupling between the links and the actuators. These equations of motion are transformed to an input/output relation between the actuator torques and the actuated joint variables to achieve the trajectory tracking control. Moreover, the singular configurations of the parallel manipulators are explained. As a case study, a three degree of freedom, two legged planar parallel manipulator is simulated considering joint flexibility. The structural damping of the active joints, viscous friction at the passive joints and the rotor damping are also considered throughout the study. Matlab&reg / and Simulink&reg / softwares are used for the simulations. The results of the simulations reveal that steady state errors are negligibly small and good tracking performances can be achieved.

In this thesis, a technique for the motion of parallel manipulators through drive singularities is investigated. To remedy the problem of unbounded inverse dynamics solution in the neighborhood of drive singularities, an inverse dynamics controller which uses a conventional inverse dynamics control law outside the neighborhood of singularities and switches to the mode based on the formerly derived modified equations inside the neighborhood of singularities is proposed. As a result, good tracking performance is obtained while the actuator forces remain within the saturation limits of the actuators around singular configurations.

<p>Traditionally, research on cross‐country skiing biomechanics is based mainly on experimental testing alone. Trying a different approach, this thesis explores the possibilities of using computational musculoskeletal biomechanics for cross‐country skiing. As far as the author knows, this has not been done before.</p><p>Cross‐country skiing is both fast and powerful, and the whole body is used to generate movement. Consequently, the computational method used needs to be able to handle a full‐body model with lots of muscles. This thesis presents several simulation models created in the AnyBody Modeling System, which is based on inverse dynamics and static optimization. This method allows for measurementdriven full‐body models with hundreds of muscles and rigid body segments of all major body parts.</p><p>A major result shown in the thesis is that with a good simulation model it is possible to predict muscle activation. Even though there is no claim of full validity of the simulation models, this result opens up a wide range of possibilities for computational musculoskeletal biomechanics in cross‐country skiing. Two example of new possibilities are shown in the thesis, finding antagonistic muscle pairs and muscle load distribution differences in different skiing styles. Being able to perform optimization studies and asking and answering “what if”‐questions really gives computational methods an edge compared to traditional testing.</p><p>To conclude, a combination of computational and experimental methods seems to be the next logical step to increase the understanding of the biomechanics of crosscountry skiing.</p> / <p>Traditionellt har biomekaniska forskningsstudier av längdskidåkning baserats helt och hållet på experimentella metoder. För att prova ett annat angreppssätt undersöks i denna avhandling vilka möjligheter som beräkningsbaserad biomekanik kan ge för längdskidåkning. Så vida författaren vet, har detta inte gjorts tidigare.</p><p>Längdskidåkning innehåller snabba och kraftfulla helkroppsrörelser och därför behövs en beräkningsmetod som kan hantera helkroppsmodeller med många muskler. Avhandlingen presenterar flera simuleringsmodeller skapade i AnyBody Modeling System, som baseras på inversdynamik och statisk optimering. Denna metod tillåter helkroppsmodeller med hundratals muskler och stelkroppssegment av de flesta kroppsdelarna.</p><p>Ett resultat som avhandlingen visar är att med en bra simuleringsmodell är det möjligt att förutsäga muskelaktiviteten för en viss rörelse och belastning på kroppen. Även om ingen validering av simuleringsmodellen ges, så visar ändå resultatet att beräkningsbaserad biomekanik ger många nya möjligheter till forskningsstudier av längdskidåkning. Två exempel visas, hur muskelantagonister kan hittas samt hur lastfördelningen mellan musklerna förändras då skidåkaren förändrar stilen. Att kunna genomföra optimeringsstudier samt fråga och svara på ”vad händer om”‐ frågor ger beräkningsbaserad biomekanik en fördel i jämförelse med traditionell testning.</p><p>Slutsatsen är att en kombination av beräkningsbaserade och experimentella metoder borde vara nästa steg för att addera insikt om längdskidåkningens biomekanik.</p> / Report code: LIU‐TEK‐LIC‐2008:4. On the day of the defence date the status of article V was: Submitted.

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Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2017-04-17T14:12:44Z No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Thiago Santana Lemes - 2017 - Pt1.pdf: 10405713 bytes, checksum: aa367c643c35e55003006c669c0d140f (MD5) Dissertação - Thiago Santana Lemes - 2017 - Pt2.pdf: 16857396 bytes, checksum: cc1efd8dbb1e9b16c13abe4b9ded8d98 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-04-17T14:32:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Thiago Santana Lemes - 2017 - Pt1.pdf: 10405713 bytes, checksum: aa367c643c35e55003006c669c0d140f (MD5) Dissertação - Thiago Santana Lemes - 2017 - Pt2.pdf: 16857396 bytes, checksum: cc1efd8dbb1e9b16c13abe4b9ded8d98 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-17T14:32:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Thiago Santana Lemes - 2017 - Pt1.pdf: 10405713 bytes, checksum: aa367c643c35e55003006c669c0d140f (MD5) Dissertação - Thiago Santana Lemes - 2017 - Pt2.pdf: 16857396 bytes, checksum: cc1efd8dbb1e9b16c13abe4b9ded8d98 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The analysis of muscle activation and the modeling of the human body as a triple inverted pendulum reveal some interesting quasi-quiet standing posture maintenance mechanisms not observable in simpler models. Studies have shown some patterns of coordination between body segments and muscles when standing under an upright position, but due to the use of simpler models they did not reveal the exact role of the knee in the upright posture. In this study, 25 young people participated in an experiment, in which kinematic data and force platforms were collected. A complex coherence and phase analysis was used between simulation of muscle activity, body segment kinematics and inverse dynamics, in order to verify if there is a difference between the signals before and after an induced disturbance, and how the trunk and knee joint behaves in a triple inverted pendulum model of the body. Complex coherence is an analysis in the frequency domain and reveals how well two signals correspond to one another. The activation of nine muscles was simulated, and the resulting torque using the inverse dynamics at the ankle, knee and hip joints was calculated, both using OpenSim software. The trunk worked in phase with leg and thigh at low frequencies, and switched to anti-phase at high frequencies. However, the trunk does not show significant coherence with any of the muscles analyzed besides moving in delay with respect to the torque in the hip, which suggests that the trunk oscillations occur passively. However, thigh and leg muscles activated in phase with trunk muscles, suggesting a relationship between the movement of these segments. However, it has to be considered that there are limitations in the simulations of muscle activation, so that future experimental studies that confirm the data presented here are necessary. The results show no significant difference between the pre-perturbation and post-perturbation oscillations, but there is a greater variability in the angular oscillations of the segments, indicating the challenge imposed to the postural control system and the work of recovering the disturbance. Patterns of muscular activation in the ankle and pelvis were compatible with previous studies, acting to maintain upright posture. / A análise da ativação muscular e a modelagem do corpo humano como um pêndulo invertido triplo revelam alguns interessantes mecanismos de manutenção da postura ereta quase-quieta não observáveis em modelos mais simples. Estudos já demonstraram alguns padrões de coordenação entre os segmentos e músculos do corpo quando este se encontra sob uma perturbação em posição ereta, mas devido ao uso de modelos mais simples não revelaram o exato papel do joelho na postura ereta. Neste estudo, 25 jovens participaram de um experimento, no qual foram coletados dados cinemáticos e de plataformas de força. Foi utilizada uma análise de coerência complexa e de fase entre a simulação da atividade muscular, a cinemática dos segmentos corporais e a dinâmica inversa, com o objetivo de verificar se existe diferença entre os sinais antes e após uma perturbação induzida, e como se comportam tronco e articulação do joelho em um modelo de pêndulo invertido triplo do corpo. A coerência complexa é uma análise no domínio da frequência e revela o quão bem dois sinais correspondem um ao outro. A ativação de nove músculos foi simulada, e o torque resultante usando a dinâmica inversa nas articulações do tornozelo, joelho e quadril foi calculado, ambos utilizando o software OpenSim. O tronco trabalhou em fase com perna e coxa em baixas frequências, e muda para anti-fase em altas frequências. No entanto, o tronco não apresenta coerência significativa com nenhum dos músculos analisados além de se mover em atraso com relação ao torque no quadril, o que sugere que as oscilações do tronco ocorrem de forma passiva. Entretanto, músculos da coxa e da perna ativaram em fase com músculos do tronco, sugerindo relação entre a movimentação desses segmentos. Porém, há de se considerar que há limitações nas simulações da ativação muscular, de forma que estudos experimentais futuros que confirmem os dados ora apresentados são necessários. Os resultados encontrados não apontam diferença significativa entre as oscilações pré perturbação e pós perturbação, mas existe uma maior variabilidade nas oscilações angulares dos segmentos, indicando o desafio imposto ao sistema de controle postural e o trabalho de recuperação da perturbação. Padrões de ativação muscular no tornozelo e na pelvis foram compatíveis com estudos anteriores, agindo na manutenção da postura ereta.

L'analyse biomécanique du geste sportif vise à mieux comprendre les mécanismes de la performance, en vue de l'améliorer tout en limitant le risque de blessures. Dans le sport de haut niveau, les appuis constituent une des clés de la performance. Couramment utilisée pour l'analyse de la marche, la dynamique inverse permet de quantifier les actions inter-segmentaires, potentiellement traumatiques, au cours du mouvement. Cette méthode comporte toutefois certains biais, dont deux peuvent être particulièrement importants au cours de mouvements sportifs à fortes accélérations : l'artefact des tissus mous et la précision du torseur dynamique. Ce travail a pour premier objectif de proposer des adaptations méthodologiques pour l'analyse par dynamique inverse d'appuis sportifs. D'abord, l'intérêt de la méthode des « centres articulaires moyens », basée sur l'utilisation de clusters rigides, est montré pour l'acquisition de la cinématique segmentaire. Ensuite, l'influence de la fréquence d'échantillonnage et de la méthode de dérivation discrète sur le calcul des accélérations est évaluée. Enfin, la validation d'un modèle volumique personnalisé permettant une meilleure estimation des paramètres inertiels que les modèles proportionnels couramment utilisés est présentée. Le second objectif de ce travail consiste en l'application des méthodes ainsi développées à l'analyse du comportement mécanique de la cheville au cours de sauts de type pliométrique et à l'évaluation personnalisée du risque de blessures du membre inférieur chez des athlètes d'élite en kungfu wushu. Ces analyses seront faites en parallèle de la mesure de caractéristiques spécifiques de l'athlète, telles que l'amplitude articulaire de la cheville et les modules d'élasticité de différentes structures du triceps sural obtenus par élastographie. Les perspectives pour l'application à l'entraînement seront abordées, en termes d'évolution des pratiques et de prévention personnalisée des blessures. / Sports biomechanics aims at better understanding performance mechanisms, to improve them while limiting injury risk. At elite level, stances are a key aspect of performance. Often used in gait analysis, inverse dynamics enables quantification of mechanical actions during motion. However, there are some limits to this method, two of which can become important when studying sports stances: soft tissue artifact and accuracy of dynamic wrenches. The first objective of this work is to propose methodological adaptations for inverse dynamics analysis of sports stances. Firstly, the benefit of the “mean joint centers” method, based on the use of rigid clusters, is shown for segment kinematics acquisition. Secondly, the influences of the sampling frequency and the differentiation method on the calculation of accelerations are evaluated. Thirdly, the validation of a personalized volumetric model enabling better estimation of segment inertial parameters than common proportional models is presented. The second objective of this work is the application of the methods proposed to the analysis of the ankle joint mechanical behavior during plyometric jumps, and to personalized evaluation of the lower limb injury risk in elite wushu athletes. These analyses have been performed in parallel to specific measures of athletes' characteristics, such as the ankle range of motion and the shear modulii of different structures of the triceps surae, using shear wave elastography. Perspectives for training application will be discussed, to address the evolution of training habits and personalized injury prevention.

Tourner le volant d’une automobile peut s’avérer difficile pour les conducteurs ayant des déficiences motrices des membres supérieurs. En effet, ce mouvement demande une grande mobilité et une force musculaire non négligeable. A ce jour, les directions assistées automobiles sont réglées uniquement sur le ressenti des conducteurs sans déficiences motrices. Le projet ANR VTT VolHand, dans lequel ce travail de recherche s’inscrit, ambitionne d’apporter une réponse à cette problématique. L’objectif de cette thèse est de renseigner la biomécanique du geste déjà chez le conducteur sans déficiences motrices (sain). Pour cela, l’interaction main/volant, ainsi que la cinématique (ex. angles articulaires) et la dynamique (ex. efforts sur volant, efforts articulaires) du geste de tourner le volant sont étudiés au travers de plusieurs analyses multidimensionnelles multivariables (atemporelle et temporelle). La méthode originale proposée s’appuie sur un découpage flou du volant et des variables cinématiques et dynamiques. La population expérimentée compte une centaine de sujets, dont 23 sujets sans déficience motrice. La plateforme expérimentale regroupe principalement un simulateur automobile compact permettant le recueil des efforts développés par chaque main, une consigne de suivi de trajectoire incitant le conducteur à reproduire un angle désiré et un système optoélectronique mesurant le geste de tourner le volant.Les résultats de l’analyse de l’interaction main/volant mettent en évidence 3 profils de conducteurs : les conducteurs croiseurs, les conducteurs croiseurs asymétriques et les conducteurs non croiseurs. L’analyse des variables cinématiques et dynamiques montrent que les variables dynamiques résultant du tirer/pousser le volant sont discriminantes. Deux nouveaux profils sont alors identifiés : les pousseurs moyens et les tireurs. En majorité, les conducteurs sains tendent à croiser les mains et à pousser sur le volant lors de la réalisation d’un geste de tourner le volant à basse vitesse.Plusieurs perspectives sont proposées à court terme, à moyen terme et à long terme. L’une d’entre elles concerne l’adaptation de l’assistance aux caractéristiques motrices des conducteurs avec déficience motrice. / Steering wheel can be difficult for divers with disabilities on upper limb. Indeed, the steering action might require a large range of motion of upper limb and some muscular strength. Power steering systems that are currently proposed in car were implemented to match non disabled driver feelings and needs. ANR VTT VolHand project wants to enlarge the field of power steering system to drivers with disabilities on upper limbs. The present work is a part of this project. As a preliminary approach, the objective was to analyze the upper limb motion of healthy drivers during a steering exercise. Different multivariable analyses (low level of time summarizing and high level of time summarizing) were done to study hand/wheel interactions, kinematics variables (e.g. joint angles) and dynamics variables (e.g. joint torques). An original fuzzy windowing was proposed to describe hand position on steering wheel, kinematic and dynamics variables. One hundred subjects participated to experiment, included 23 healthy subjects, which consisted on a low speed steering task. The experimental platform was composed of a compact driving simulator, that allow the measurement of each hand effort on the steering wheel, a steering exercise based on a line following protocol, and a motion capture system.Analysis of hand/wheel interaction showed the existence of three driver profiles: hand crossing, asymmetric hand crossing and non hand crossing. Analysis of kinematics and dynamics variables showed that pulling/pushing forces were also discriminating. As a consequence, two additional profiles were identified: mean pushing drivers and pulling drivers. Overall, healthy drivers were « hand crossing » and « mean pushing drivers » during a low speed steering task.Short, middle and long prospects are proposed. One of them concerns automotive power steering system adaptation for disabled drivers.

The problem addressed in this research is the in-flight generation of trajectories for autonomous unmanned aircraft, which requires a method of generating pseudo-optimal trajectories in near-real-time, on-board the aircraft, and without external intervention. The focus of this research is the enhancement of a particular inverse dynamics direct method that is a candidate solution to the problem. This research introduces the following contributions to the method. A quaternion-based inverse dynamics model is introduced that represents all orientations without singularities, permits smooth interpolation of orientations, and generates more accurate controls than the previous Euler-angle model. Algorithmic modifications are introduced that: overcome singularities arising from parameterization and discretization; combine analytic and finite difference expressions to improve the accuracy of controls and constraints; remove roll ill-conditioning when the normal load factor is near zero, and extend the method to handle negative-g orientations. It is also shown in this research that quadratic interpolation improves the accuracy and speed of constraint evaluation. The method is known to lead to a multimodal constrained nonlinear optimization problem. The performance of the method with four nonlinear programming algorithms was investigated: a differential evolution algorithm was found to be capable of over 99% successful convergence, to generate solutions with better optimality than the quasi- Newton and derivative-free algorithms against which it was tested, but to be up to an order of magnitude slower than those algorithms. The effects of the degree and form of polynomial airspeed parameterization on optimization performance were investigated, and results were obtained that quantify the achievable optimality as a function of the parameterization degree. Overall, it was found that the method is a potentially viable method of on-board near- real-time trajectory generation for unmanned aircraft but for this potential to be realized in practice further improvements in computational speed are desirable. Candidate optimization strategies are identified for future research.

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In this thesis, dynamic modeling and nonlinear control of autonomous underwater vehicle manipulator systems are presented. Mainly, two types of systems consisting of a 6-DOF AUV equipped with a 6-DOF manipulator subsystem (UVMS) and with an 8-DOF redundant manipulator subsystem (UVRMS) are modeled considering hydrostatic forces and hydrodynamic effects such as added mass, lift, drag and side forces. The shadowing effects of the bodies on each other are introduced when computing the hydrodynamic forces. The system equations of motion are derived recursively using Newton&ndash / Euler formulation. The inverse dynamics control algorithms are formulated and trajectory tracking control of the systems is achieved by assigning separate tasks for the end effector of the manipulator and for the underwater vehicle. The proposed inverse dynamics controller utilizes the full nonlinear model of the system and consists of a linearizing control law that uses the feedback of positions and velocities of the joints and the underwater vehicle in order to cancel off the nonlinearities of the system. The PD control is applied after this complicated feedback linearization process yielding second order error dynamics. The thruster dynamics is also incorporated into the control system design. The stability analysis is performed in the presence of parametric uncertainty and disturbing ocean current. The effectiveness of the control methods are demonstrated by simulations for typical underwater missions.