Prismatic-Bending Transformable (PBT) Joint for a Modular, Foldable Manipulator with Enhanced Reachability and Dexterity

Fuente: arXiv
Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Zhou, Jianshu, Huang, Junda, Liang, Boyuan, Zhang, Xiang, Ma, Xin, Tomizuka, Masayoshi
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
_version_ 1866912365662961664
author Zhou, Jianshu
Huang, Junda
Liang, Boyuan
Zhang, Xiang
Ma, Xin
Tomizuka, Masayoshi
author_facet Zhou, Jianshu
Huang, Junda
Liang, Boyuan
Zhang, Xiang
Ma, Xin
Tomizuka, Masayoshi
contents Robotic manipulators, traditionally designed with classical joint-link articulated structures, excel in industrial applications but face challenges in human-centered and general-purpose tasks requiring greater dexterity and adaptability. To address these challenges, we propose the Prismatic-Bending Transformable (PBT) Joint, a novel, scissors-inspired mechanism with directional maintenance capability that provides bending, rotation, and elongation/contraction within a single module. This design enables transformable kinematic chains that are modular, reconfigurable, and scalable for diverse tasks. We detail the mechanical design, optimization, kinematic and dynamic modeling, and experimental validation of the PBT joint, demonstrating its integration into foldable, modular robotic manipulators. The PBT joint functions as a single stock keeping unit (SKU), enabling manipulators to be constructed entirely from standardized PBT joints. It also serves as a modular extension for existing systems, such as wrist modules, streamlining design, deployment, transportation, and maintenance. Three joint sizes have been developed and tested, showcasing enhanced dexterity, reachability, and adaptability, particularly in confined and cluttered spaces. This work presents a promising approach to robotic manipulator development, providing a compact and versatile solution for operation in dynamic and constrained environments.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_05057
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Prismatic-Bending Transformable (PBT) Joint for a Modular, Foldable Manipulator with Enhanced Reachability and Dexterity
Zhou, Jianshu
Huang, Junda
Liang, Boyuan
Zhang, Xiang
Ma, Xin
Tomizuka, Masayoshi
Robotics
Robotic manipulators, traditionally designed with classical joint-link articulated structures, excel in industrial applications but face challenges in human-centered and general-purpose tasks requiring greater dexterity and adaptability. To address these challenges, we propose the Prismatic-Bending Transformable (PBT) Joint, a novel, scissors-inspired mechanism with directional maintenance capability that provides bending, rotation, and elongation/contraction within a single module. This design enables transformable kinematic chains that are modular, reconfigurable, and scalable for diverse tasks. We detail the mechanical design, optimization, kinematic and dynamic modeling, and experimental validation of the PBT joint, demonstrating its integration into foldable, modular robotic manipulators. The PBT joint functions as a single stock keeping unit (SKU), enabling manipulators to be constructed entirely from standardized PBT joints. It also serves as a modular extension for existing systems, such as wrist modules, streamlining design, deployment, transportation, and maintenance. Three joint sizes have been developed and tested, showcasing enhanced dexterity, reachability, and adaptability, particularly in confined and cluttered spaces. This work presents a promising approach to robotic manipulator development, providing a compact and versatile solution for operation in dynamic and constrained environments.
title Prismatic-Bending Transformable (PBT) Joint for a Modular, Foldable Manipulator with Enhanced Reachability and Dexterity
topic Robotics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.05057