Dynamic Modeling and Experimental Verification of A Cable-Driven Continuum Manipulator With Cable-Constrained Synchronous Rotating Mechanisms

Abstract The cable-driven segmented manipulator with cable-constrained synchronous rotating mechanisms (CCSRM) is a new type of continuum manipulator, which has large stiffness and less motors, and thus exhibits excellent comprehensive performance. This paper presents a dynamic modeling method for this type of manipulator to analyze the friction and deformation of the cables on the dynamical behaviors of the system. First, the driving cables are modeled based on the ALE formulation, the strategies for detecting stick-slip transitions are proposed by using a trial-and-error algorithm, and the stiff problems of the dynamic equations are released by a model smoothing method. Second, the dynamic modeling method for rigid links is presented by using quaternion parameters. Third, the connecting cables are modeled by torsional spring-dampers and the frictions between the connecting cables and the conduits are considered based on a modified Coulomb friction model. Finally, the numerical results are presented and verified by comparing with experiment results. The study shows that the friction and cable deformation play an important role in the dynamical behaviors of the manipulator. Due to these two factors, the constant curvature bending of the segments does not remain.