Design and construction of a portable force-reflecting manual controller for teleoperation systems

A man-machine system called teleoperator system has been developed to work in hazardous environments such as nuclear reactor plants. Force reflection is a type of force feedback in which forces experienced by the remote manipulator are fed back to the manual controller. In a force-reflecting teleoperation system, the operator uses the manual controller to direct the remote manipulator and receives visual information from a video image and/or graphical animation on the computer screen. This thesis presents the design of a portable Force-Reflecting Manual Controller (FRMC) for the teleoperation of tasks such as hazardous material handling, waste cleanup, and space-related operations. The work consists of the design and construction of a prototype 1-Degree-of-Freedom (DOF) FRMC, the development of the Graphical User Interface (GUI), and system integration. Two control strategies - PID and fuzzy logic controllers are developed and experimentally tested. The system response of each is analyzed and evaluated. In addition, the concept of a telesensation system is introduced, and a variety of design alternatives of a 3-DOF FRMC are proposed for future development

An Augmented Interaction Strategy For Designing Human-Machine Interfaces For Hydraulic Excavators

Lack of adequate information feedback and work visibility, and fatigue due to repetition have been identified as the major usability gaps in the human-machine interface (HMI) design of modern hydraulic excavators that subject operators to undue mental and physical workload, resulting in poor performance. To address these gaps, this work proposed an innovative interaction strategy, termed “augmented interaction”, for enhancing the usability of the hydraulic excavator. Augmented interaction involves the embodiment of heads-up display and coordinated control schemes into an efficient, effective and safe HMI. Augmented interaction was demonstrated using a framework consisting of three phases: Design, Implementation/Visualization, and Evaluation (D.IV.E). Guided by this framework, two alternative HMI design concepts (Design A: featuring heads-up display and coordinated control; and Design B: featuring heads-up display and joystick controls) in addition to the existing HMI design (Design C: featuring monitor display and joystick controls) were prototyped. A mixed reality seating buck simulator, named the Hydraulic Excavator Augmented Reality Simulator (H.E.A.R.S), was used to implement the designs and simulate a work environment along with a rock excavation task scenario. A usability evaluation was conducted with twenty participants to characterize the impact of the new HMI types using quantitative (task completion time, TCT; and operating error, OER) and qualitative (subjective workload and user preference) metrics. The results indicated that participants had a shorter TCT with Design A. For OER, there was a lower error probability due to collisions (PER1) with Design A, and lower error probability due to misses (PER2)with Design B. The subjective measures showed a lower overall workload and a high preference for Design B. It was concluded that augmented interaction provides a viable solution for enhancing the usability of the HMI of a hydraulic excavator

스티어 바이 와이어 시스템의 목표 조향감 재현을 위한 조향 반력 제어

학위논문(박사)--서울대학교 대학원 :공과대학 기계공학부,2020. 2. 이경수.This dissertation focused on the development of and steering assist torque control algorithm of Electric-Power-Steering (EPS) system from the conventional steering system perspective and Steer-by-Wire (SBW) system. The steering assist torque control algorithm has been developed to overcome the major disadvantage of the conventional method of time-consuming tuning to achieve the desired steering feel. A reference steering wheel torque map was designed by post-processing data obtained from target performance vehicle tests with a highly-rated steering feel for both sinusoidal and transition steering inputs. Adaptive sliding-mode control was adopted to ensure robustness against uncertainty in the steering system, and the equivalent moment of inertia damping coefficient and effective compliance were adapted to improve tracking performance. Effective compliance played a role in compensating the error between the nominal rack force and the actual rack force. For the SBW system, the previously proposed EPS assist torque algorithm has been also enhanced using impedance model and applied to steering feedback system. Stable execution and how to give the person the proper steering feedback torque of contact tasks by steering wheel system interaction with human has been identified as one of the major challenges in SBW system. Thus, the problem was solved by utilizing the target steering torque map proposed above. The impedance control consists of impedance model (Reference model with the target steering wheel torque map) and controller (Adaptive sliding mode control). The performance of the proposed controller was evaluated by conducting computer simulations and a hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HILS) under various steering conditions. Optimal steering wheel torque tracking performances were successfully achieved by the proposed EPS and SBW control algorithm.본 논문은 종래의 조향 시스템 관점에서 전동식 동력 조향 (EPS) 시스템과 스티어 바이 와이어 (SBW) 조향 보조 토크 제어 알고리즘의 개발을 중점으로 하였습니다. 기존 조향 보조 토크 제어 알고리즘은 원하는 조향감을 구현하기 위해 종래의 시간 소모적 인 튜닝 방법을 사용합니다. 이러한 주요 단점을 극복하기 위해 새로운 조향 보조 제어 알고리즘을 개발하였습니다. 목표 스티어링 휠 토크 맵은 정현파(Weave test) 및 등속도 스티어링 입력 (Transition test) 모두에 대해 높은 등급의 조향감을 차량 테스트에서 얻은 후 데이터 처리를 하여 설계되었습니다. 스티어링 시스템의 불확실성에 대한 강건성을 보장하기 위해 적응 형 슬라이딩 모드 제어가 채택되었으며, 관성 모멘트 감쇠 계수와 컴플라이언스 계수(Effective compliance)가 제어기 성능을 개선하도록 적응형 파라미터로 선정되었습니다. 컴플라이언스 계수는 계산된 랙 힘과 실제 랙 힘 사이의 차이를 보상하는 역할을 했습니다. SBW 시스템의 경우, 이전에 제안 된 EPS 지원 토크 알고리즘을 개선하고 향상시키기 위해 임피던스 모델을 사용하였으며 스티어링 피드백 시스템에 적용되었습니다. SBW 시스템의 주요 과제 중 하나는 사람과 스티어링 휠 시스템 상호 작용에 의해 안정적인 작동과 사람에게 적절한 스티어링 피드백 토크를 제공하는 방법입니다. 임피던스 제어는 임피던스 모델 (타겟 스티어링 휠 토크 맵)과 컨트롤러 (적응 슬라이딩 모드 제어)로 구성됩니다. 따라서, 상기 제안 된 목표 조향 토크 맵을 이용함으로써 스티어 바이 와이어에서 스티어링 피드백 토크를 절절히 적용 됨을 확인 하였습니다. 제안 된 컨트롤러의 성능은 다양한 조향 조건에서 컴퓨터 시뮬레이션 및 HILS (Hardware-in-the-loop) 시뮬레이션을 수행하여 평가되었습니다. 제안 된 EPS 및 SBW 제어 알고리즘을 통해 최적의 스티어링 휠 토크 추적 성능을 달성했습니다.Chapter 1 Introduction 1 1.1. Background and Motivation 1 1.2. Previous Researches 4 1.3. Thesis Objectives 9 1.4. Thesis Outline 10 Chapter 2 Dynamic Model of Steering Systems 11 2.1. Dynamic model of Hydraulic/Electrohydraulic Power-Assisted Steering Model 11 2.2. Dynamic model of Electric-Power-Assisted-Steering Model 17 2.3. Dynamic model of Steer-by-Wire Model 21 2.4. Rack force characteristic of steering system 23 Chapter 3 Target steering wheel torque tracking control 28 3.1. Target steering torque map generation 28 3.2. Adaptive sliding mode control design for target steering wheel torque tracking with EPS 30 3.2.1. Steering states estimation with a kalman filter 38 3.3. Impedance Control Design for Target Steering Wheel Torque Tracking with SBW 43 Chapter 4 Validation with Simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loops Simulation 49 4.1. Computer Simulation Results for EPS system 49 4.2. Hardware-in-the-Loops Simulation Results for EPS system 61 4.3. Computer Simulation Results for SBW system 77 4.4. Hardware-in-the-Loops Simulation Results for SBW system 82 Chapter 5 Conclusion and Future works 89 Bibliography 91 Abstract in Korean 97Docto

3D printed pneumatic soft actuators and sensors: their modeling, performance quantification, control and applications in soft robotic systems

Continued technological progress in robotic systems has led to more applications where robots and humans operate in close proximity and even physical contact in some cases. Soft robots, which are primarily made of highly compliant and deformable materials, provide inherently safe features, unlike conventional robots that are made of stiff and rigid components. These robots are ideal for interacting safely with humans and operating in highly dynamic environments. Soft robotics is a rapidly developing field exploiting biomimetic design principles, novel sensor and actuation concepts, and advanced manufacturing techniques. This work presents novel soft pneumatic actuators and sensors that are directly 3D printed in one manufacturing step without requiring postprocessing and support materials using low-cost and open-source fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers that employ an off-the-shelf commercially available soft thermoplastic poly(urethane) (TPU). The performance of the soft actuators and sensors developed is optimized and predicted using finite element modeling (FEM) analytical models in some cases. A hyperelastic material model is developed for the TPU based on its experimental stress-strain data for use in FEM analysis. The novel soft vacuum bending (SOVA) and linear (LSOVA) actuators reported can be used in diverse robotic applications including locomotion robots, adaptive grippers, parallel manipulators, artificial muscles, modular robots, prosthetic hands, and prosthetic fingers. Also, the novel soft pneumatic sensing chambers (SPSC) developed can be used in diverse interactive human-machine interfaces including wearable gloves for virtual reality applications and controllers for soft adaptive grippers, soft push buttons for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education platforms, haptic feedback devices for rehabilitation, game controllers and throttle controllers for gaming and bending sensors for soft prosthetic hands. These SPSCs are directly 3D printed and embedded in a monolithic soft robotic finger as position and touch sensors for real-time position and force control. One of the aims of soft robotics is to design and fabricate robotic systems with a monolithic topology embedded with its actuators and sensors such that they can safely interact with their immediate physical environment. The results and conclusions of this thesis have significantly contributed to the realization of this aim

Engineering assessment of current and future vehicle technologies: FMVSS no. 105 hydraulic and electric brake systems, FMVSS no. 135 passenger car brake systems; final report

This report provides a technical assessment of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 105, Hydraulic and electric brake systems, and FMVSS 135, Passenger car brake systems. The review of these standards is part of a NHTSA’s Regulatory Review Plan to systematically examine all of the FMVSS. The primary thrust of the document is to address two questions: Do the current standards impede emerging technologies in passenger car and light/medium truck braking systems? Do the current standards require modification to adequately regulate emerging technologies? Emerging technologies are reviewed. Estimates of the extent and timing of their influence are made. It is concluded that the standards will not impede emerging technologies in the foreseeable future but could do so in the long term. The view is expressed that the approach of the current standards to ensuring adequate performance under partial-failure conditions may become ineffective as more, and more complex, automatic functions are added to automotive brake systems. A new approach may be required. Seventy-eight references are included in an annotated bibliography.National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/55414/1/99826.pd

Volume 3 – Conference

We are pleased to present the conference proceedings for the 12th edition of the International Fluid Power Conference (IFK). The IFK is one of the world’s most significant scientific conferences on fluid power control technology and systems. It offers a common platform for the presentation and discussion of trends and innovations to manufacturers, users and scientists. The Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems at the TU Dresden is organizing and hosting the IFK for the sixth time. Supporting hosts are the Fluid Power Association of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), Dresdner Verein zur Förderung der Fluidtechnik e. V. (DVF) and GWT-TUD GmbH. The organization and the conference location alternates every two years between the Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems in Dresden and the Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Systems in Aachen. The symposium on the first day is dedicated to presentations focused on methodology and fundamental research. The two following conference days offer a wide variety of application and technology orientated papers about the latest state of the art in fluid power. It is this combination that makes the IFK a unique and excellent forum for the exchange of academic research and industrial application experience. A simultaneously ongoing exhibition offers the possibility to get product information and to have individual talks with manufacturers. The theme of the 12th IFK is “Fluid Power – Future Technology”, covering topics that enable the development of 5G-ready, cost-efficient and demand-driven structures, as well as individual decentralized drives. Another topic is the real-time data exchange that allows the application of numerous predictive maintenance strategies, which will significantly increase the availability of fluid power systems and their elements and ensure their improved lifetime performance. We create an atmosphere for casual exchange by offering a vast frame and cultural program. This includes a get-together, a conference banquet, laboratory festivities and some physical activities such as jogging in Dresden’s old town.:Group 8: Pneumatics Group 9 | 11: Mobile applications Group 10: Special domains Group 12: Novel system architectures Group 13 | 15: Actuators & sensors Group 14: Safety & reliabilit

Seventh Annual Workshop on Space Operations Applications and Research (SOAR 1993), volume 2

This document contains papers presented at the Space Operations, Applications and Research Symposium (SOAR) Symposium hosted by NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC) and cosponsored by NASA/JSC and U.S. Air Force Materiel Command. SOAR included NASA and USAF programmatic overviews, plenary session, panel discussions, panel sessions, and exhibits. It invited technical papers in support of U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Department of Energy, NASA, and USAF programs in the following areas: robotics and telepresence, automation and intelligent systems, human factors, life support, and space maintenance and servicing. SOAR was concerned with Government-sponsored research and development relevant to aerospace operations