Singularity analysis and representation of planar parallel manipulators

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Abstract

In this paper, analytical expressions describing the singularity loci of simple planar three-degree-of-freedom parallel manipulators are derived. They are obtained using the analytical form of the Jacobian matrix, which is known to be singular when the manipulator is in a degenerate configuration. The expressions derived are then used to superimpose graphical representations of the manipulators' singularity loci and workspace. Both types of local degeneracies that can occur for parallel manipulators are studied. However, architecture singularities, which are rather trivial for the type of manipulators studied here, are assumed to be avoided by a proper choice of the manipulator's kinematic parameters. It is shown that, given certain assumptions on the geometry and for a given orientation of the end-effector, the singularity locus in the (x, y) plane will always be a hyperbola. Moreover, when the passive revolute joints on the base and on the platform are respectively placed symmetrically, the hyperbola degenerates into a straight line. All these results are illustrated with examples of planar parallel manipulators. Some cases for which the singularities are located outside of the workspace are also presented. The analytic description of the singularity loci of manipulators in the Cartesian space can be used for analysis and optimum kinematic design. The expressions derived here have been integrated in a CAD package for parallel manipulators which provides a quick graphical representation of the singularity loci.

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