Dynamics Model of 4-SPS/CU Parallel Mechanism With Spherical Clearance Joint and Flexible Moving Platform

Effects of flexible body and clearance spherical joint on the dynamic performance of 4-SPS/CU parallel mechanism are analyzed. The flexible moving platform is treated as thin plate based on absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). In order to formulate the parallel mechanism's constraint equations between the flexible body and the rigid body, the tangent frame is introduced to define the joint coordinate. One of the spherical joints between moving platform and kinematic chains is introduced into clearance. The normal and tangential contact forces are calculated based on Flores contact force model and modified Coulomb friction model. The dynamics model of parallel mechanism with clearance spherical joint and flexible moving platform is formulated based on equation of motion. Simulations show that the dynamic performance of parallel mechanism is not sensitive to the flexible body because of the inherent property of moving platform; however, when the clearance spherical joint is considered into the parallel mechanism with flexible body, the flexible moving platform exhibits cushioning effect to absorb the energy caused by clearance joint.