Analytical Elastostatic Stiffness Modeling of Overconstrained Parallel Manipulators Using Geometric Algebra and Strain Energy

A general method for the analytical elastostatic stiffness modeling of overconstrained parallel manipulators (PMs) using geometric algebra and strain energy is proposed. First, an analytical solution of the constraint and actuation wrenches exerted on the moving platform is obtained using the outer product and dual operation of geometric algebra, which avoids solving complex symbolic linear equations. Second, considering the compliances of the limbs, an analytical elastostatic model is established using the strain energy to obtain the stiffness matrices of the limbs. Finally, the deformation compatibility equations are added into equilibrium equations to obtain the overall stiffness matrix of the PM, which has a concise expression and a clear physical meaning. The proposed method is applied to the Tex3 overconstrained PM and the Tex4 overconstrained PM with redundant actuation to prove its validity. Comparable results between the theoretical analysis and the finite-element analysis (FEA) show that the former could be used as an effective alternative to the FEA method in the predesign stage. This new approach is universally applicable to the elastostatic stiffness analysis of overconstrained PMs.