Linear springs with variable stiffnesses find some key roles in robotic applications. They are implemented into robotic devices for two main reasons, to increase energy efficiency of walking-running robots and prosthesis, and to get safe human-robot interaction at industrial robots. Being inspired from the human actuation system, a mathematical method to get mechanically adjustable linear springs is noted in the literature / antagonistically working two quadratic springs method. But the proposed solution requires two non-linear springs with quadratic spring characteristics and they are not readily available. Several solutions have been noted in the literature for the acquisition of such non-linear springs. At this thesis work, the solution is realized with a string wrapping around cam mechanism. Two different prototypes were designed and constructed and the second one was physically tested to validate the linear spring behavior. The results displayed good linear spring characteristics with different levels of adjustable spring stiffness. Beside the antagonistically working two quadratic springs method, three novel methods to get mechanically adjustable linear springs are introduced at this thesis. They are based on using hanging weights, an exponential characteristic spring and a linear translation spring respectively. The real prototypes were not manufactured but sample designs using string wrapping around cam mechanisms are made.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/3/12610960/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 September 2009 |
| Creators | Kilic, Mehmet |
| Contributors | Yazicioglu, Yigit |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | Access forbidden for 1 year |
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