Advanced Mechanical Design Research Articles

Integrated Mechanical and Electronic Design and Comfort Optimization in Smart Furniture

Smart furniture, as an important component of modern home environments, integrates advanced mechanical design and electronic control technologies, enhancing the quality of life for users through automatic sensing and adjustment. With the development of technology, the functionality of smart furniture has continuously expanded, and comfort has become a central focus in its design. This paper explores the integrated mechanical and electronic design in smart furniture, examining its structural design, electronic system integration, and the application of human-machine interaction technology in comfort optimization. The study indicates that the high integration of mechanical and electronic systems not only improves the functionality of the furniture but also optimizes the user experience through technologies such as smart adjustments and personalized control. By using comfort evaluation standards and optimization models, combined with innovative applications of material selection and environmental sensing technologies, smart furniture can adaptively adjust according to different user needs and environmental conditions, thereby achieving optimal comfort. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the design and optimization of smart furniture and points out the direction for future development.

Reformulation of Theories of Kinematic Synthesis for Planar Dyads and Triads

Methods for solving planar dyads and triads in kinematic synthesis are scattered throughout the literature. A review of and a new compilation of the complex number synthesis method for planar dyads and triads is presented. The motivation of this paper is to formulate uniform solution procedures, pointing out the commonalities of various approaches and emphasizing a consistent method for synthesizing mechanisms defined by specified precision positions. Particular emphasis is given to the solution method using compatibility linkages. The textbook Advanced Mechanism Design Vol II by Erdman and Sandor (1984) only includes a small portion of the available information on this method, and several researchers have added to the basic knowledge in the years since. In some cases, the approach and nomenclature were not consistent, yielding a need to describe and chart a generic formulation and solution procedure for dyads/triads using compatibility linkages and solution structures. The present method offers benefits for solving for exact dyad/triad solutions for complex multiloop mechanisms and could be a promising tool for reducing the computational load of finding complex mechanisms, and for visualizing properties of the solution space.

Errata: A flexible topological flank modification method based on polynomial interpolation function [Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing, Vol. 17, No. 3 (2023), JAMDSM0041

Errata: A flexible topological flank modification method based on polynomial interpolation function [Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing, Vol. 17, No. 3 (2023), JAMDSM0041

Errata: Non-destructive depth analysis of acidic phosphate ester boundary layers by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy [Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing, Vol. 16, No. 3 (2022), JAMDSM0024

Errata: Non-destructive depth analysis of acidic phosphate ester boundary layers by hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy [Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing, Vol. 16, No. 3 (2022), JAMDSM0024

(Invited) Skin-integrated Sensors and Haptic Interfaces for VR

Technologies for virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) create human experiences through visual and auditory stimuli that replicate sensations associated with the physical world. The most widespread VR/AR systems use head-mounted displays, accelerometers and speakers as the basis for three-dimensional, computer-generated environments that can exist in isolation or as overlays with actual scenery. By comparison to the eyes and the ears, the skin is a relatively underexplored sensory interface for VR/AR technology that could, nevertheless, greatly enhance experiences, at a qualitative level, with direct relevance in areas ranging from communications and social media, to gaming, entertainment and prosthetics technology. However, the research on soft wearable haptic interfaces is much less that of visual and auditory based ones. Since human body is soft, curved and time dynamic, developing wearable haptic interfaces is challenging. Recent advances in skin-integrated electronics provide a new insight for tactile sensing, however, the tactile feedback based on skin electronics is still in their infancies.Here we present materials, device structures, power delivery strategies and communication schemes as the basis for a wireless, battery-free platform of electronic systems and haptic interfaces capable of softly laminating onto the skin to communicate information via spatio-temporally programmable patterns of localized mechanical vibrations. This system is also referred to as “epidermal VR”, where the haptic interface mounted on the skin can create a sense of touch via a programmable array of mechanical vibrating actuators. Based on the advanced mechanical design, the ultra-thin, skin-integrated haptic interfaces can be comfortably laminated onto near all the locations of the curved body surfaces. Moreover, the system is completely battery free, where the power are provided by RF input. In a 6 by 6 inches soft epidermal VR device, 32 mechanical vibrating actuators are integrated. Each actuator is designed resonating at skin most sensitive frequency (200 Hz), and can be individually controlled, programmed wirelessly. Low-modulus, soft silicone polymer is used as encapsulation materials and adhesion interfaces with skin. Therefore, the thin device can be directly wear on the skin without additional tapes or straps. The wireless communication is realized with near-field communication (NFC) technique, which is a very typical technology used in current smart phones. Therefore, touchscreen interfaces can wirelessly controlled the actuators in the epidermal VR device, and transmit the user’s touching commend to the soft device.With such system, video chatting with virtually touch between friends and family members from different places will become true. Friends or family members can feel touching through the haptic interface in real time. A second representative application is in tactile feedback for use of robotic prosthetic devices. Of course, video game can be also updated to another level with such system. For example, a person who wears a suit with these epidermal VR embedded in can experience strikes just as the gaming character received in the game. More applications beyond entertainments are also covered by this system, such as robotic prosthetic control, sensing and feedback. For instance, a lower-arm amputee can sense a virtual haptic representation on the upper arm via an epidermal VR device.

A metal-electrode-free, fully integrated, soft triboelectric sensor array for self-powered tactile sensing

The dramatic advances in flexible/wearable electronics have garnered great attention for touch sensors for practical applications in human health monitoring and human–machine interfaces. Self-powered triboelectric tactile sensors with high sensitivity, reduced crosstalk, and simple processing routes are highly desirable. Herein, we introduce a facile and low-cost fabrication approach for a metal-electrode free, fully integrated, flexible, and self-powered triboelectric tactile sensor array with 8-by-8 sensor units. Through the height difference between the sensor units and interconnect electrodes, the crosstalk derived from the electrodes has been successfully suppressed with no additional shielding layers. The tactile sensor array shows a remarkable sensitivity of 0.063 V kPa–1 with a linear range from 5 to 50 kPa, which covers a broad range of testing objects. Furthermore, due to the advanced mechanical design, the flexible sensor array exhibits great capability of pressure sensing even under a curved state. The voltage responses from the pattern mapping by finger touching demonstrate the uniformity of the sensor array. Finally, real-time tactile sensing associated with light-emitting diode (LED) array lighting demonstrates the potential application of the sensor array in position tracking, self-powered touch screens, human–machine interfaces and many others.

Skin-Like Strain Sensors Enabled by Elastomer Composites for Human–Machine Interfaces

Flexible electronics exhibit tremendous potential applications in biosensing and human–machine interfaces for their outstanding mechanical performance and excellent electrical characteristics. In this work, we introduce a soft, skin-integrated strain sensor enabled by a ternary elastomer composite of graphene/carbon nanotube (CNT)/Ecoflex, providing a low-cost skin-like platform for conversion of mechanical motion to electricity and sensing of human activities. The device exhibits high sensitivity (the absolute value of the resistance change rate under a testing strain level, 26) and good mechanical stability (surviving ~hundreds of cycles of repeated stretching). Due to the advanced mechanical design of the metallic electrode, the strain sensor shows excellent mechanical tolerance to pressing, bending, twisting, and stretching. The flexible sensor can be directly mounted onto human skin for detecting mechanical motion, exhibiting its great potential in wearable electronics and human–machine interfaces.

A Novel System for Water Disinfection with UV Radiation

We present a novel system for water disinfection with ultra-violet (UV) radiation. In this system, the UV lamps do not come into contact with the water and hence remain free of fouling. The system incorporates a diffusor and a nozzle, with stationary guide vanes built into each. Their combined purpose is to reduce the hydraulic losses while imparting a strong swirl component to the flow. The swirl significantly enhances turbulent mixing processes and provides a self-cleansing mechanism that renders the system tolerant to high levels of turbidity and scaling. The hydrodynamic performance of the system was optimized using Computational Fluid Dynamics, while the manufacture of its key components was accomplished using advanced mechanical design software and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Biodosimetry testing with the bacteriophage MS2 indicated the delivery of a UV dose of 215.6 mJ/cm2. This produced a 6.9 log10 reduction of E. coli and 7.12 log10 reduction of MS2. Assessment of the system with hard water containing high Ca, Mg, and Fe concentrations, and with water with turbidity of 18 NTU indicated that the log10 removal of E. coli remained above 5.

Intelligent Controller Design for Multifunctional Prosthetics Hand

Prosthetics hand is replacement of original hands that lose or damage because of war, trauma, accident or congenital anomalies. However, problems often occur on a prosthetics hand when dealing with the control capabilities and devising functional. Thus, an advanced mechanical design with control approach is required to improve the performance in terms of quality control in prosthetics hand and also enhance existing capabilities to the optimum level. This paper aims to develop a functional prosthetics hand at upper limb, which will focus on position of human hand particularly using the movement of finger instructions. In this paper, an intelligent controller, Fuzzy with Proportional-Integral-Derivative (Fuzzy-PID) controller is proposed to realize accurate force control with high performance. The performance of prosthetics hand model controlled by Fuzzy-PID controller is outperform the conventional PID controller and Fuzzy controller, where the improvement of the transient response and steady state error is achieved. Performance comparison of three different controllers has been presented through these evaluation process.

Preface

Preface

Plant Stems: Functional Design and Mechanics

Plant stems are one of nature's most impressive mechanical constructs. Their sophisticated hierarchical structure and multifunctionality allow trees to grow more than 100 m tall. This review highlights the advanced mechanical design of plant stems from the integral level of stem structures down to the fiber-reinforced-composite character of the cell walls. Thereby we intend not only to provide insight into structure-function relationships at the individual levels of hierarchy but to further discuss how growth forms and habits of plant stems are closely interrelated with the peculiarities of their tissue and cell structure and mechanics. This concept is extended to a further key feature of plants, namely, adaptive growth as a reaction to mechanical perturbation and/or changing environmental conditions. These mechanical design principles of plant stems can serve as concept generators for advanced biomimetic materials and may inspire materials and engineering sciences research.

As a Link to Advanced Textile Mechanical and Electromechanical Center of Research and DevelopmentSchool-enterprise Cooperation and Training Innovative Engineering Talents

The major of advanced textile mechanical design and automation is a characteristic profession of School of Mechanical Engineering of Tianjin Polytechnic University. Since its establishment in 1978, it has gone through the course of near 30 years ，and has trained a large number of talented people for our country. In the new historical conditions, how to exert the professional advantages of cultivating innovative talents has become a hot topic. This paper analyzes the disadvantages that the college students who is trained by the closed education of the institutions of higher learning in the recent years can not meet the real requirements of the enterprises to the innovative talents ,and it is difficult that the college teachers and students conduct practical activities in the enterprises, proposes the establishment of " the Advanced Textile Mechanical and Electromechanical Center of Research and Development " that is the link of the school-enterprise cooperation and training innovative talents. It truly sets up a win-win mechanism between the school and enterprises and solves the above disadvantages. Through several years’ practice, after going into the enterprises the graduates can become skilled quickly and have strong practical ability and innovative design capability, and they are widely acclaimed by the enterprises.

Agent-based dynamic integrated process planning and scheduling in flexible manufacturing systems

Process planning and scheduling are important manufacturing planning activities which deal with resource utilisation and time span of manufacturing operations. The process plans and the schedules generated in the planning phase will be modified in the execution phase due to the unforeseen disturbances in the manufacturing systems. This paper deals with a multi-agent architecture of an integrated and dynamic system for process planning and scheduling for multiple jobs. A negotiation protocol is discussed, in this paper, to generate the process plans and the schedules of the manufacturing resources and the individual jobs, dynamically and incrementally, based on the alternative manufacturing processes. The alternative manufacturing processes are presented by the process plan networks discussed in the previous paper [Tehrani et al. 2007. A search algorithm for generating alternative process plans in flexible manufacturing system. Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, System, and Manufacturing, 1 (5), 706–716], and the suitable process plans and schedules are searched and generated to cope with both the dynamic status and the disturbances of the manufacturing systems. Coordination agents are proposed to generate a suitable assignment of the job agents to the machine tool agents at each step of the negotiation. Simulation software has been developed to carry out case studies, aimed at verifying the performance and it has been integrated with open robot interface network (ORIN) architecture for practical application of the multi-agent system in a real manufacturing system.

Errata:Research on the Validity of using Nayak's Theory for Summit Parameters of Discrete Isotropic Gaussian Surfaces [Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing (Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 125-135, 2009)

Errata:Research on the Validity of using Nayak's Theory for Summit Parameters of Discrete Isotropic Gaussian Surfaces [Journal of Advanced Mechanical Design, Systems, and Manufacturing (Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 125-135, 2009)

Modeling and Verification of a Diamond-Shape Narrow-Tilting Vehicle

The authors use planar multibody system dynamics to model an intelligent personal mobility (IPM) narrow-tilting vehicle (NTV) with four wheels arranged in a diamond configuration. A planar multibody system tire model is used to represent ground-vehicle interaction. In addition to analyzing the roll plane dynamics, the proposed model supports the measuring of joint reaction forces (a difficult task with actual vehicles) to assist in advanced controller and mechanical system design. We also propose a separate calculation method using two acceleration sensors and one angular position sensor for the purpose of obtaining ground forces. Results from model verification tests (i.e., comparisons with actual data from a slalom test) indicate that the proposed IPM model performed with a high degree of accuracy.

Near-field solid immersion lens microscope with advanced compact mechanical design

A compact mechanical package is developed for a standard microscope that implements a solid immersion lens (SIL) on a retractable bimorph swing arm. With the compact package mounted on an inverted microscope, far-field and near-field images are obtained at the same location by moving the SIL with the swing arm. With white-light incoherent illumination, the resolution of this system for observing digital versatile discs is around 200 nm with an effective numerical aperture of 1.5. Imaging with the SIL is compared with an atomic force microscopy scan.

Folding algorithms and mechanisms synthesis for robotic ironing

Automating domestic ironing is a challenge to the robotic community, particularly in terms of modelling and advanced mechanism design. This paper investigates the ironing process, its relevant folding algorithms and analysis techniques, presents the advanced mechanism synthesis and introduces cross‐disciplinary research. It summarises the second part of the results of a technology study carried out under an EPSRC grant “A Feasibility Study into Robotic Ironing”, and proposes new techniques in developing a folding and unfolding algorithm and in developing a task‐oriented mechanism synthesis for robotic ironing.

On Displacement Analysis of the RSSR-SS Mechanism

This article presents a method for performing (RSSR-SS) mechanism displacement analysis. The benefit of this method is that it provides a practical alternative for performing RSSR-SS mechanism displacement analysis and is fully applicable with today's mathematics software. This method is an extension of the adjustable RSSR-SS synthesis method developed by the authors (Suh, C. H., Radcliffe, C. W. (1978). Kinematic analysis of spatial mechanisms. In: Kinematics and Mechanism Design. New York: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 179–183). By utilizing the passive degree of freedom of the coupler of the RSSR mechanism and its design equations (Sandor, G. N., Erdman, A. G. (1984). Spatial mechanisms with an introduction to robotics. In: Advanced Mechanism Design Analysis and Synthesis. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, pp. 635–641), the design equation for the remaining (S-S) link of the RSSR-SS mechanism was developed using spatial transformation matrices under the constant length condition of the remaining S-S link. The angular rotation about the coupler of the RSSR mechanism, satisfying the constant length equation of this remaining S-S link, was calculated, numerically (Allen M. B. III, Isaacson, E. L. (1998). Solution of non-linear equations. In: Numerical Analysis for Applied Science. New York: John Wiley and Sons, pp. 177–187). As an example, the displacement of a series of rigid body points on the coupler of an adjustable RSSR-SS mechanism was calculated for a range of prescribed crank angles.

Advanced design of reactor coolant pump motors

Abstract Reactor coolant pump (RCP) motors for nuclear generating stations have to satisfy special demands in view of the crucial role they play in plant safety and because of their location inside the containment enclosure. ABB delivered two spare RCP motors for Southern California Edison's San Onofre nuclear power station. Although the selection criteria and the motor design are specific to this project, numerous general as well as advanced electrical and mechanical design features are typical of RCP motors being used in the nuclear industry.

Optics in the United Kingdom

Optics is interpreted to include x-ray optics, electronic optics, and short wave radiooptics as well as the more conventional visible, uv, and ir optics. Recent work in Britain on x-ray optics (applied to molecular biology), on scanning electron microscopy, and in radioastronomy (discovery of pulsars) is mentioned. In the optics of the visible and ir there is an increasing interest in over-all systems design. .The formation of large industrial units capable of carrying through major design program, requiring advanced mechanical and electronic design associated with new lens systems, is welcomed.