Parallel robot for knee rehabilitation: Reduced order dynamic linear model, mechanical assembly and control system architecture

In this work we present the development of a dynamic linear model of a 3UPS+1RPU parallel robot for knee rehabilitation, which allows the reduction of the error with respect to simulation carried out based on its non-linear model. Furthermore, the design and implementation of a control algorithm in a real robot is detailed, for which a dynamic linear model has been developed based on inertial parameters including a friction model in Coulomb and viscosity parameters. Subsequently, the linear model has reduced applying the numerical method of decomposition into singular values, resulting in a model expressed as function of base parameters. This method uses a base parameter identification path obtained by finite Fourier series. This path is optimized through minimization algorithms restricted by distance, velocity and acceleration of the linear actuators of the robot, as well as the working space of its spherical joints. Then, the compatibility level of the reduced dynamic model is quantified by estimating mean square error determined between the generalized forces of the independent joints obtained from the model and compared with those resulting from simulations performed in Adams/View software for a trajectory obtained by finite Fourier series. Afterwards, mechanical components involved in the implementation of the prototype are selected and the control system of its actuators is designed. Finally, tests are performed in a laboratory through photogrammetry equipment, in order to validate joints mobility in the robot and study its performance, for this task defined trajectories based on criteria of a physiotherapist are used

Metodología para la identificación de parámetros dinámicos en sistemas mecánicos de baja movilidad: Aplicación a una suspensión de vehículo automóvil

[EN] Abstract Knowledge of the dynamic parameters of mechanical systems is required in different applications, particularly in the simulation and control problems. The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Valencia has worked for several years in identification of dynamic parameters of serial and parallel robots. With this thesis it is to continue the process of identification of dynamic parameters, now on other mechanical systems. Given that mainly the mechanisms that make the systems and machines are closed kinematic chain, in this work the standard identification methods are discussed and a new methodology for identification of dynamic parameters is raised when the closed chain is low mobility. After obtaining the dynamic model as a linear system with respect to the dynamic parameters, a model based on parameters that can be solved by numerical methods such as least squares. The determination of this model based on parameters depends on the linear dependence relations between the dynamic parameters. These relationships and the base parameters can be obtained by symbolic and numerical methods. In this thesis the standard methodology for the identification from the singular value decomposition, and a symbolic approach based on the concept of transfer of inertial properties is applied for obtaining base parameters. The advantages of applying symbolic methods are corroborated with the application of both methods on a closed chain of low mobility such as the automotive suspension. Because models in base parameters are ill-conditioned, they are unfit for identification of dynamic parameters; it seeks to reduce this feature reducing the model. For this purpose, the system uses the criteria given by the dynamic contribution index of each parameter. This index accounts for the effect of the parameter on the generalized forces of the system. The reduction applied criterion requires an initial approximation of the dynamic parameters. It has been found that the use of this criterion is not significantly affected by the approach used when symbolic expressions of the base parameters are known. Such is the case of models obtained by inertial transfers. The comparison between the different models developed, supports the conclusion that the models obtained through the symbolic methods have lower prediction errors and are insensitive to the initial approach.[ES] Resumen Conocer los parámetros dinámicos de los sistemas mecánicos es indispensable en diferentes aplicaciones, particularmente en las tareas de simulación y control. En el Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica y Materiales de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia se ha trabajado durante varios años en identificación de parámetros dinámicos de robots serie y paralelo. Con la presente tesis se pretende continuar con el proceso de identificación de parámetros dinámicos, ahora sobre otro tipo de sistemas mecánicos. Teniendo en cuenta que la gran mayoría de mecanismos que conforman los sistemas y las máquinas son de cadena cinemática cerrada, en este trabajo se analizan las metodologías de identificación existente y se plantea una nueva metodología de identificación para cuando la cadena cerrada es de baja movilidad. Una vez obtenido el modelo dinámico como sistema lineal respecto a los parámetros dinámicos, se determina un modelo en parámetros base que puede ser resuelto a través de métodos numéricos como mínimos cuadrados. La determinación de este modelo en parámetros base depende de las relaciones de dependencia lineal que se tienen entre los parámetros dinámicos. Estas relaciones, y por tanto, los conjuntos de parámetros base pueden obtenerse a través de metodologías simbólicas y numéricas. En esta tesis se aplica la metodología estándar de identificación a partir de la descomposición en valores singulares, y una metodología simbólica a partir del concepto de trasferencia de propiedades inerciales, para obtener modelos en parámetros base. Las ventajas de aplicar métodos simbólicos sobre los numéricos son evidenciadas y corroboradas con la aplicación de ambas metodologías sobre una cadena cerrada de baja movilidad como lo es la suspensión de un vehículo automóvil. Como los modelos en parámetros base presentan altos condicionamientos numéricos que los hacen impropios para tareas de identificación, se busca disminuir esta característica reduciendo el modelo. Para ello, se aplica como criterio el ordenamiento dado por el índice de contribución dinámica de cada parámetro. Este índice da cuenta del efecto del parámetro sobre las fuerzas generalizadas del sistema. El criterio de reducción aplicado requiere de una aproximación inicial de los parámetros dinámicos. Se ha podido comprobar que la utilización de este criterio no se ve afectada significativamente por la aproximación utilizada cuando se conocen las expresiones simbólicas de los parámetros base. Tal es el caso de los modelos obtenidos por transferencias inerciales. La comparación entre los diferentes modelos elaborados, permiten afirmar que los modelos obtenidos a través de los métodos simbólicos presentan menores errores de predicción y son poco sensibles a la aproximación inicial.[CA] Resum Coneixer els parametros dinamics dels sistemes mecanics es indispensable en diferents aplicacions, particularment en les tasques de simulació i control. En el Departament d'Ingenieria Mecanica i Materials de l'Universitat Politecnica de Valencia s'ha treballat durant varis anys en identificació de paràmetres dinàmics de robots serie i paralel. En el present TESIS es pretén continuar en el proces d'identificació de paràmetres dinámics, ara sobre atre tipo de sistemes mecanics. Tenint en conte que la gran majoria de mecanismes que conformen els sistemes i les maquines son de cadena cinematica tancada, en este treball s'analisen les metodologies d'identificació existent i se planteja una nova metodologia d'identificació per a quan la cadena tancada es de baixa movilitat. Despres d'obtingut el model dinàmic com sistema llinial respecte als paràmetres dinàmics, se determina un model en paràmetres base que pot ser resolt a través de metodos numerics com minims quadrats. La determinació d'este model en paràmetres base depen de les relacions de dependencia llinial que se tenen entre els paràmetros dinàmics. Estes relacions, i per tant, els conjunts de paràmetres base poden obtindre's a través de metodologies simboliques i numeriques. En este treball s'aplica la metodologia estandart d'identificació a partir de la descomposició en valors singulars, i una metodologia simbolica a partir del concepte de transferencia de propietats inerciales, per a obtindre models en paràmetres base. Les ventages d'aplicar metodos simbolics sobre els numerics son evidenciades i corroborades en l'aplicació d'abdos metodologies sobre una cadena tancada de baixa movilitat com ho es la suspensió d'un vehicle automovil. Com els models en paràmetres base presenten alts condicionaments numerics que els fan impropis per a tasques d'identificació, se busca disminuir esta caracteristica reduint el model. Per a aixó, s'aplica com criteri l'ordenament donat per l'index de contribució dinàmica de cada paràmetre. Este index dona conte de l'efecte del paràmetre sobre les forces generalisades del sistema. El criteri de reducció aplicada requerix d'una aproximació inicial dels paràmetros dinàmics. S'ha pogut comprovar que l'utilisació d'este criteri no se veu afectada significativament per l'aproximació utilisada quan se coneixen les expressions simboliques dels paràmetres base. Tal es el cas dels models obtinguts per transferencies inerciales. La comparança entre els diferents models elaborats, permeten afirmar que els models obtinguts a través dels metodos simbòlics presenten menors erros de predicció i son poc sensibles a l'aproximació inicial.Mejía Calderón, LA. (2016). Metodología para la identificación de parámetros dinámicos en sistemas mecánicos de baja movilidad: Aplicación a una suspensión de vehículo automóvil [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/62352TESI

Joint Trajectory Generation and High-level Control for Patient-tailored Robotic Gait Rehabilitation

This dissertation presents a group of novel methods for robot-based gait rehabilitation which were developed aiming to offer more individualized therapies based on the specific condition of each patient, as well as to improve the overall rehabilitation experience for both patient and therapist. A novel methodology for gait pattern generation is proposed, which offers estimated hip and knee joint trajectories corresponding to healthy walking, and allows the therapist to graphically adapt the reference trajectories in order to fit better the patient's needs and disabilities. Additionally, the motion controllers for the hip and knee joints, mobile platform, and pelvic mechanism of an over-ground gait rehabilitation robotic system are also presented, as well as some proposed methods for assist as needed therapy. Two robot-patient synchronization approaches are also included in this work, together with a novel algorithm for online hip trajectory adaptation developed to reduce obstructive forces applied to the patient during therapy with compliant robotic systems. Finally, a prototype graphical user interface for the therapist is also presented

Parallel Manipulators

In recent years, parallel kinematics mechanisms have attracted a lot of attention from the academic and industrial communities due to potential applications not only as robot manipulators but also as machine tools. Generally, the criteria used to compare the performance of traditional serial robots and parallel robots are the workspace, the ratio between the payload and the robot mass, accuracy, and dynamic behaviour. In addition to the reduced coupling effect between joints, parallel robots bring the benefits of much higher payload-robot mass ratios, superior accuracy and greater stiffness; qualities which lead to better dynamic performance. The main drawback with parallel robots is the relatively small workspace. A great deal of research on parallel robots has been carried out worldwide, and a large number of parallel mechanism systems have been built for various applications, such as remote handling, machine tools, medical robots, simulators, micro-robots, and humanoid robots. This book opens a window to exceptional research and development work on parallel mechanisms contributed by authors from around the world. Through this window the reader can get a good view of current parallel robot research and applications

Multibody dynamics 2015

This volume contains the full papers accepted for presentation at the ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Multibody Dynamics 2015 held in the Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, on June 29 - July 2, 2015. The ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Multibody Dynamics is an international meeting held once every two years in a European country. Continuing the very successful series of past conferences that have been organized in Lisbon (2003), Madrid (2005), Milan (2007), Warsaw (2009), Brussels (2011) and Zagreb (2013); this edition will once again serve as a meeting point for the international researchers, scientists and experts from academia, research laboratories and industry working in the area of multibody dynamics. Applications are related to many fields of contemporary engineering, such as vehicle and railway systems, aeronautical and space vehicles, robotic manipulators, mechatronic and autonomous systems, smart structures, biomechanical systems and nanotechnologies. The topics of the conference include, but are not restricted to: Formulations and Numerical Methods, Efficient Methods and Real-Time Applications, Flexible Multibody Dynamics, Contact Dynamics and Constraints, Multiphysics and Coupled Problems, Control and Optimization, Software Development and Computer Technology, Aerospace and Maritime Applications, Biomechanics, Railroad Vehicle Dynamics, Road Vehicle Dynamics, Robotics, Benchmark Problems. The conference is organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona. The organizers would like to thank the authors for submitting their contributions, the keynote lecturers for accepting the invitation and for the quality of their talks, the awards and scientific committees for their support to the organization of the conference, and finally the topic organizers for reviewing all extended abstracts and selecting the awards nominees.Postprint (published version