The underactuated fingers used in numerous robotic systems are evaluated by grasping force, configuration space, actuation method, precision of operation, compactness and weight. In consideration of all such factors a...The underactuated fingers used in numerous robotic systems are evaluated by grasping force, configuration space, actuation method, precision of operation, compactness and weight. In consideration of all such factors a novel linkage based underactuated finger with a self-adaptive actuation mechanism is proposed to be used in prosthetics hands, where the finger can accomplish flexion and extension. Notably, the proposed mechanism can be characterized as a combination of parallel and series links. The mobility of the system has been analyzed according to the Chebychev-Grübler-Kutzbach criterion for a planar mechanism. With the intention of verifying the effectiveness of the mechanism, kinematics analysis has been carried out, by means of the geometric representation and Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) parameter approach. The presented two-step analysis followed by a numerical study, eliminates the limitations of the D-H conversion method to analyze the robotics systems with both series and parallel links. In addition, the trajectories and configuration space of the proposed finger mechanism have been determined by the motion simulations. A prototype of the proposed finger mechanism has been fabricated using 3D printing and it has been experimentally tested to validate its functionality. The kinematic analysis, motion simulations, experimental investigations and finite element analysis have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism to gain the expected motions.展开更多
One of the major problems faced by hand amputees is the unavailability of a lightweight and powered multi-functional hand prosthesis. Under-actuated finger designs play a key role to make the hand prosthesis lightweig...One of the major problems faced by hand amputees is the unavailability of a lightweight and powered multi-functional hand prosthesis. Under-actuated finger designs play a key role to make the hand prosthesis lightweight. In this paper, a hand prosthesis with an under-actuated and self-adaptive finger mechanism is proposed. The proposed finger is capable to generate passively different flexion/extension angles for a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and a distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint for each flexion angle of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. In addition, DIP joint is capable to generate different angles for the same angle of PIP joint. Hand prosthesis is built on the proposed finger mechanism. The hand prosthesis enables user to grasp objects with various geometries by performing five grasping patterns. Thumb of the hand prosthesis includes opposition/apposition in addition to flexion/extension of MCP and interphalangeal (IP) joint. Kinematic analysis of the proposed finger has been carried out to verify the movable range of the joints. Simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed finger mechanism and the hand prosthesis.展开更多
文摘The underactuated fingers used in numerous robotic systems are evaluated by grasping force, configuration space, actuation method, precision of operation, compactness and weight. In consideration of all such factors a novel linkage based underactuated finger with a self-adaptive actuation mechanism is proposed to be used in prosthetics hands, where the finger can accomplish flexion and extension. Notably, the proposed mechanism can be characterized as a combination of parallel and series links. The mobility of the system has been analyzed according to the Chebychev-Grübler-Kutzbach criterion for a planar mechanism. With the intention of verifying the effectiveness of the mechanism, kinematics analysis has been carried out, by means of the geometric representation and Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) parameter approach. The presented two-step analysis followed by a numerical study, eliminates the limitations of the D-H conversion method to analyze the robotics systems with both series and parallel links. In addition, the trajectories and configuration space of the proposed finger mechanism have been determined by the motion simulations. A prototype of the proposed finger mechanism has been fabricated using 3D printing and it has been experimentally tested to validate its functionality. The kinematic analysis, motion simulations, experimental investigations and finite element analysis have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism to gain the expected motions.
文摘One of the major problems faced by hand amputees is the unavailability of a lightweight and powered multi-functional hand prosthesis. Under-actuated finger designs play a key role to make the hand prosthesis lightweight. In this paper, a hand prosthesis with an under-actuated and self-adaptive finger mechanism is proposed. The proposed finger is capable to generate passively different flexion/extension angles for a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and a distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint for each flexion angle of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. In addition, DIP joint is capable to generate different angles for the same angle of PIP joint. Hand prosthesis is built on the proposed finger mechanism. The hand prosthesis enables user to grasp objects with various geometries by performing five grasping patterns. Thumb of the hand prosthesis includes opposition/apposition in addition to flexion/extension of MCP and interphalangeal (IP) joint. Kinematic analysis of the proposed finger has been carried out to verify the movable range of the joints. Simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed finger mechanism and the hand prosthesis.