• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2018, Vol. 54 ›› Issue (1): 223-232.doi: 10.3901/JME.2018.01.223

Previous Articles    

Design Methods and Applications for the Fewer Input-More Output Parallel Mechanisms

SHEN Huiping, DENG Jiaming, MENG Qingmei, LI Ju, ZHU Wei   

  1. Research Center for Advanced Mechanism Theory, Changzhou University, Changzhou 213164
  • Received:2017-02-27 Revised:2017-05-21 Online:2018-01-05 Published:2018-01-05

Abstract: The design methods and potential applications for the parallel mechanisms with fewer input-more output (Fi-Mo) are proposed. The purpose of the investigation is to provide the theoretical basis for the design of equipment obtaining more output motions containing both independence motions and derivative ones through fewer actuated inputs. A mathematical model that correlates the number of actuated inputs, degrees of freedom (DOF) and number of output position and orientation (Nout) is established. Furthermore, all basic types of Fi-Mo PMs are put forward. Accordingly, two design methods for Fi-Mo PMs are proposed. The first method is based on fixing one by one the actuated inputs and replacing chains with an equivalent chain. The second method is based on constructing such chains that contain parasitic motions. These two methods are then illustrated by designing a 1-DOF one translation and two-rotation Fi-Mo PM and a 1-DOF three-rotation Fi-Mo PM, respectively. Three multi-dimension parallel vibrating screens with one-input are developed according to the corresponding 1-DOF Fi-Mo PMs proposed. The investigation indicates that Fi-Mo PMs are expected to be an important research topic and will have important theoretical and practical value for novel energy-saving equipment designs which are needed for industrial development.

Key words: fewer input-more output, parallel mechanism, parasitic motion, position and orientation characteristics

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