An algorithm for defining the inner geometry of a snakelike manipulator in case of leading link movements along the incremental trajectory

Abstract

In the paper, we have formulated the invariant description form for geometry of a spatial, kinematically redundant manipulator with the orthogonal non-coplanar axes of rotation of the joints. We have obtained the explicit equations for determining the angular coordinates from the condition that points of joints belong to the smooth parametrically given curve. Inequality constraints on the relative position of neighboring parts of the manipulator have been formulated. We have proposed an algorithm for solving equations and the method of planning changes for hinge coordinates for the movement of joints points along the spatial curve that is formed by incremental addition of target points for the head link positions of the manipulator. The method has been applied for planning movements of a hyper-redundant manipulator with a fixed root link and a snakelike robot when moving along the path built on the basis of current and forecasted positions of joints in the Cartesian space.