Hans-Peter Schröcker

Gudrun Szewieczek, Daniel Huczala, Martin Pfurner et al.

We study mechanical structures composed of spatial four-bar linkages that are bistable, that is, they allow for two distinct configurations. They have an interpretation as quad nets in the Study quadric which can be used to prove existence of arbitrarily large structures of this type. We propose a purely geometric construction of such examples, starting from infinitesimally flexible quad nets in Euclidean space and applying Whiteley de-averaging. This point of view situates the problem within the broader framework of discrete differential geometry and enables the construction of bistable structures from well-known classes of quad nets, such as discrete minimal surfaces. The proposed construction does not rely on numerical optimization and allows control over axis positions and snap angles.

Johannes Siegele, Daniel F. Scharler, Hans-Peter Schröcker

The trajectories of a rational motion given by a polynomial of degree n in the dual quaternion model of rigid body displacements are generically of degree 2n. In this article we study those exceptional motions whose trajectory degree is lower. An algebraic criterion for this drop of degree is existence of certain right factors, a geometric criterion involves one of two families of rulings on an invariant quadric. Our characterizations allow the systematic construction of rational motions with exceptional degree reduction and explain why the trajectory degrees of a rational motion and its inverse motion can be different.

Tudor-Dan Rad, Hans-Peter Schröcker

The paper presents an optimal synthesis of overconstrained linkages, based on the factorization of rational curves (representing one parametric motions) contained in Study's quadric. The group of Euclidean displacements is embedded in a affine space where a metric between motions based on the homogeneous mass distribution of the end effector is used to evolve the curves such that they are fitted to a set of target poses. The metric will measure the distance (in Euclidean sense) between the two resulting vectors of the feature points displaced by the two motions. The evolution is driven by the normal velocity of the curve projected in the direction of the target points. In the end we present an example for the optimal synthesis of an overconstrained $6R$ linkage by choosing a set of target poses and explaining in steps how this approach is implemented.

Gábor Hegedüs, Zijia Li, Josef Schicho et al.

This article provides a gentle introduction for a general mathematical audience to the factorization theory of motion polynomials and its application in mechanism science. This theory connects in a rather unexpected way a seemingly abstract mathematical topic, the non-unique factorization of certain polynomials over the ring of dual quaternions, with engineering applications. Four years after its introduction, it is already clear how beneficial it has been to both fields.

Tudor-Dan Rad, Hans-Peter Schröcker

We characterise the kinematic image of the constraint variety of a 2R dyad as a regular ruled quadric in a 3-space that contains a "null quadrilateral". Three prescribed poses determine, in general, two such quadrics. This allows us to modify a recent algorithm for the synthesis of 6R linkages in such a way that two consecutive revolute axes coincide, thus producing a 5R linkage. Using the classical geometry of twisted cubics on a quadric, we explain some of the peculiar properties of the the resulting synthesis procedure for 5R linkages.

Zijia Li, Josef Schicho, Hans-Peter Schröcker

In this paper, we consider the existence of a factorization of a monic, bounded motion polynomial. We prove existence of factorizations, possibly after multiplication with a real polynomial and provide algorithms for computing polynomial factor and factorizations. The first algorithm is conceptually simpler but may require a high degree of the polynomial factor. The second algorithm gives an optimal degree.

Zijia Li, Josef Schicho, Hans-Peter Schröcker

In this paper, we construct two types of 7R closed single loop linkages by combining different factorizations of a general (non-vertical) Darboux motion. These factorizations are obtained by extensions of a factorization algorithm for a generic rational motion. The first type of 7R linkages has several one-dimensional configuration components and one of them corresponds to the Darboux motion. The other type is a 7R linkage with two degrees of freedom and without one-dimensional component. The Darboux motion is a curve in an irreducible two dimensional configuration component.

Zijia Li, Tudor-Dan Rad, Josef Schicho et al.

Since its introduction in 2012, the factorization theory for rational motions quickly evolved and found applications in theoretical and applied mechanism science. We provide an accessible introduction to motion factorization with many examples, summarize recent developments and hint at some new applications. In particular, we provide pseudo-code for the generic factorization algorithm, demonstrate how to find a replacement linkage for a special case in the synthesis of Bennett mechanisms and, as an example of non-generic factorization, synthesize open chains for circular and elliptic translations.

Zijia Li, Josef Schicho, Hans-Peter Schröcker

We use the recently introduced factorization of motion polynomials for constructing overconstrained spatial linkages with a straight line trajectory. Unlike previous examples, the end-effector motion is not translational and the link graph is a cycle. In particular, we obtain a number of linkages with four revolute and two prismatic joints and a remarkable linkage with seven revolute joints one of whose joints performs a Darboux motion.

Hans-Peter Schröcker, Matthias J. Weber

We present a method for guaranteed collision detection with toleranced motions. The basic idea is to consider the motion as a curve in the 12-dimensional space of affine displacements, endowed with an object-oriented Euclidean metric, and cover it with balls. The associated orbits of points, lines, planes and polygons have particularly simple shapes that lend themselves well to exact and fast collision queries. We present formulas for elementary collision tests with these orbit shapes and we suggest an algorithm, based on motion subdivision and computation of bounding balls, that can give a no-collision guarantee. It allows a robust and efficient implementation and parallelization. At hand of several examples we explore the asymptotic behavior of the algorithm and compare different implementation strategies.

Gábor Hegedüs, Josef Schicho, Hans-Peter Schröcker

In this paper we introduce a new technique, based on dual quaternions, for the analysis of closed linkages with revolute joints: the theory of bonds. The bond structure comprises a lot of information on closed revolute chains with a one-parametric mobility. We demonstrate the usefulness of bond theory by giving a new and transparent proof for the well-known classification of overconstrained 5R linkages.

Gábor Hegedüs, Josef Schicho, Hans-Peter Schröcker

Given a generic rational curve $C$ in the group of Euclidean displacements we construct a linkage such that the constrained motion of one of the links is exactly $C$. Our construction is based on the factorization of polynomials over dual quaternions. Low degree examples include the Bennett mechanisms and contain new types of overconstrained 6R-chains as sub-mechanisms.