Dynamic Comparison of a 3-Degrees-of-Freedom Parallel Manipulator With Multiple Dry Clearance Joints and With Lubricated Joints

Abstract

This paper compares the dynamic response of a 3-degree-of-freedom (3-DOFs) parallel manipulator with multiple dry clearance joints and with lubricated joints. For this purpose, a methodology developed on Newton–Euler equations is proposed to study lubricated joints in the parallel manipulator, which involves the hydrodynamic forces and impact forces in the constrained equations. Specifically, the hydrodynamic forces are based on the Reynolds’ equation of an infinitely long lubricated joint. Dynamic simulations are presented through the dynamic parameters of a planar parallel manipulator (3-PRR, the underline of the P represents the actuated joint, P and R represents prismatic and revolute pairs respectively), which has six revolute clearance joints and three ideal prismatic joints. The results of the comparison show that the lubricant makes significant difference and greatly improves the dynamic performance of the parallel manipulator with multiple revolute joints. More periodic states are observed from the dynamic behavior of the parallel manipulator with lubricated joints, making the manipulator easier to drive. All results demonstrate the usage of the procedures which contain the hydrodynamic force model of multiple lubricated joints in non-linear DAEs of a 3-DOFs parallel manipulator.