The figure schematically illustrates three manipulator mechanisms for positioning an end effector (a robot hand or other object) in a plane (which would ordinarily be horizontal). One of these is a newer, improved mechanism that includes two coaxial, base-mounted rotary actuators incorporated into a linkage that is classified as "P4R" in the discipline of kinematics of mechanisms because it includes one prismatic (P) joint and four revolute (R) joints. The improved mechanism combines the advantages of coaxial base mounting (as opposed to noncoaxial and/or nonbase mounting) of actuators, plus the advantages of closed-loop (as opposed to open-loop) linkages in such a way as to afford a simplification (in comparison with other linkages) of inverse kinematics. Simplification of the kinematics reduces the computational burden incurred in controlling the manipulator.

The Improved Mechanism affords a simplification of kinematics: Whereas the coordination of actuator motions necessary to obtain specified end-effector motions in the older mechanisms is a complex task, it is a relatively simple task in the improved mechanism.

In the general case of a two-degree-of-freedom manipulator with two rotary actuators, the inverse kinematic problem is to find the rotary-actuator angles needed to place the end effector at a specified location, velocity, and acceleration in the plane of motion. In the case of a typical older manipulator mechanism of this type, the solution of the inverse kinematic problem involves much computation because what one seeks is the coordinated positions, velocities, and accelerations of the two manipulators, and these coordinates are kinematically related to each other and to the required motion in a complex way.

In the improved mechanism, the task of coordination is greatly simplified by simplification of the inverse kinematics; the motion of the end effector is easily resolved into a component that is radial and a component that is tangential to a circle that runs through the end effector and is concentric with the rotary actuators.

If rotary actuator 2 is held stationary, while rotary actuator 1 is turned, then link D slides radially in the prismatic joint, causing the end effector to move radially. If both rotary actuators are turned together, then there is no radial motion; instead, the entire linkage simply rotates as a rigid body about the actuator axis, so that the end effector moves tangentially. Thus, the task of coordination is reduced to a simple decision to (a) rotate actuator 1 only to obtain radial motion, (b) rotate both actuators together to obtain tangential motion, or (c) rotate the actuators differentially according to a straightforward kinematic relationship to obtain a combination of radial and axial motion.

This work was done by Farhad Tahmasebi of Goddard Space Flight Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp  under the Mechanics category.

This invention is owned by NASA, and a patent application has been filed. Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license for its commercial development should be addressed to

the Patent Counsel
Goddard Space Flight Center; (301) 286-7351.

Refer to GSC-13655.