Position Kinematics of the Generalized Lobster Arm and Its Series-Parallel Dual

Abstract

The generalized lobster arm is a six revolute open kinematic chain with 3 consecutive intersecting pairs of axes. A new solution of the inverse position kinematics problem of this arm which takes advantage of its specific geometry is presented. A comparison is made with the direct position kinematics problem of the series-parallel dual mechanism. The equations governing the two problems show strong similarity and can each be reduced to a sixteenth degree univariate polynomial equation. The dual series-parallel mechanism is the one that exhibits, with the lobster arm, the symmetry that exists between the wrench and the velocity motor. Although the results presented here have intrinsic interest, a more generally important feature is the relationship between the solutions to the inverse kinematics of the serial mechanism and the direct kinematics of the parallel mechanism. Although the series-parallel duality has not been shown to hold in the position domain, except in terms of very general characteristics, it is shown here that the two solutions are of the same degree and have other features in common.