Generalized Singularity Analysis of Snake-Like Robot

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate a generalized singularity analysis of a snake-like robot. The generalized analysis is denoted as analysis of singularity of a model which defines all designable parameters such as the link length and/or the position of the passive wheel as arbitrary variables. The denotation is a key point for a novelty of this study. This paper addresses the above new model denotation, while previous studies have defined the designable parameters as unique one. This difference makes the singularity analysis difficult substantively. To overcome this issue, an analysis method using redundancy of the snake-like robot is proposed. The proposed method contributes to simplify singularity analysis concerned with the designable parameters. The singular configurations of both the model including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping are analyzed. As the results of the analysis, we show two contributions. The first contribution is that a singular configuration depends on designable parameters such as link length as well as state values such as relative angles. The second contribution is that the singular configuration is characterized by the axials of the passive wheels of all non side-slipping link. This paper proves that the singular configuration is identified as following two conditions even if the designable parameters are chosen as different variables and the model includes side-slipping link. One is that the axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point. Another one is that axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links are parallel.

1. Introduction

A real snake has simple figure like a string, and can locomote by using difference between friction in the propulsive direction and one in the normal direction. It can locomote not only flatland but also irregular terrain such as desert, wildland and grassland, by choosing its motion and posture depending on environments/tasks. Moreover, it can realize skilled locomotions such as swimming, climbing, and squeezing. That is, the real snake possesses highly adaptability corresponding to the environments/tasks. A snake-like robot mimics such highly adaptability of the real snake, and is expected to be an adaptable robot corresponding to the environments/tasks.

Many literatures have reported with respect to locomotion controls of snake-like robots. Hirose, who is a pioneer of the studies for snake-like robots, has found that a curvature of a snake changes sinusoidally along its body axis. He has named it “Serpenoid Curve”, and applied it to a trajectory generation for snake-like robots [1]. Endo et al. have implemented a propulsive locomotion control of snake-like robots by using the Serpenoid Curve [2]. As studies extending the Serpenoid Curve, Yamada et al. have proposed the kinematics to stabilize head direction during tracking the robot to the Serpenoid Curve, and have implemented the kinematics on the robot [3]. Ma et al. have implemented slope climbing control by adjusted amplitude of the Serpenoid Curve via a simulator [4]. In our previous study, we have designed a servo control system for tracking to the Serpenoid Curve [5]. Relative researches with respect to propulsive control use difference of the friction forces between the propulsive direction and the normal direction also have been reported [6,7]. In our previous study, a head position control [8,9,10], a force control [11] and a slope climbing control [12] have been designed.

These researches [6,7,8,9,10,11,12] have been based on a dynamical model of the snake-like robot. The discussions on it has been reported in order to avoid singular configurations as well. In these researches, the model is generally assumed to install non side-slipping passive wheels on its links. Prautsch et al. have derived the dynamical model of the snake-like robot without side-slipping, and have proven some theories and lemmas regarding the dynamics [13,14]. As one of the results of the analyses, they have referred the snake-like robot takes the singular configuration as long as it poses either straight line or arc shape. The result has been shared by a lot of researchers. For example, Date et al. have also reported that the snake-like robot becomes singular when the robot poses straight line or arc shape [15,16,17]. In addition, Ye et al. have also stated that straight line or arc shape are singular [18]. Matsuno et al. [19] and Tanaka et al. [20,21,22] also have mentioned that the postures of straight line or arc shape are the singular configuration as well. They [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22] have led the same results based on the analysis by Prautsch et al. [13,14]. In addition, Dear et al. [23,24] and Guo et al. [25] have reported the snake-like robot is the singular configuration when all relative angles are equivalent. It indicates the posture under this situation is either straight line or arc shape. Liljebäck et al. have addressed a dynamical model supposing the snake-like robot with side-slipping, and have derived the model with viscous friction forces working at the center of each link. They have analyzed nonlinear controllability of the models, and finally have also proven that straight line and arc shape are singular configurations [26,27,28,29].

While these studies [13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28] have addressed the either fully non side-slipping or fully side-slipping model, Tanaka et al. have addressed a model including both side-slipping and non side-slipping links [30]. They have referred that either the straight line or the arc shape are still the singular configuration with respect to the fully non side-slipping model based on Prautsch’s analysis [14]. Nevertheless, they have concluded that following two conditions are the singular configuration regarding to the model including side-slipping.

Condition

1. Axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point.

2. Axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links are parallel.

These researches [13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30] have a common assumption that the robot has either the passive wheel or the center of gravity located at the center of each link. This common assumption means link length and/or position of the passive wheel are defined as common variable. Hence, the common assumption contributes the analysis simple, because each element of its Jacobian matrix can be factorized by link length or position of passive wheel as common variable. Accordingly, each element is able to be formulated by summation of the trigonometric functions with link length or position of passive wheel as the common variable. For example, Tanaka et al. have defined the length from a front joint to a passive wheel and the one from a passive wheel to hind joint as a same variable for all link. To satisfy this definition, they have supposed that the link length of lifted links is not changed by limiting lifting height infinitesimally, even though their robot allows to lift up it to enough height [30]. Thus, the analyses of previous studies subject to the limitation regarding to the common variable, although these variables could be designable. Conversely, effects of link position of the passive wheel and/or length to its behavior have never discussed yet.—i.e., the analysis without any limitation has never been discussed.

This paper elucidates a generalized singularity analysis of the snake-like robot. The generalized analysis is denoted as analysis of singularity of a model which defines all designable parameters such as the link length and/or the position of the passive wheel as arbitrary variables. From a viewpoint of system design, revealing a relationship between the designable parameters and system behavior affects behavior of the whole system including the locomotion control system as well. In the case of the inverted pendulum for example, it has been reported that changing its designable parameters such as link length results in extending stability margin of the system [31,32,33]. In another instance, the Jansen linkage mechanism, a representative example of closed link mechanism, is capable of transitioning its gaits significantly by changing length ratio of all link [34,35]. In addition, its characteristic influences robot’s morphology as well [36]. The snake-like robot is a kind of non-holonomic system, and its non-holonomic constraints come from the characteristic of the non side-slipping passive wheels. Hence, the position of the passive wheel affects the system behavior. Thus, discussion on effect of the designable parameters is expected to provide some advantages in this area as well.

This paper addresses two main issues. The first main issue is to elucidate dependent relationship between the singular configuration of the snake-like robot and the designable parameters such as link length and position of the passive wheel. As discussed above, the previous studies have identified that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is either straight line or arc shape. This identification is equivalent to that the singular configuration depends on only its state vector. Tanaka et al. have referred that the postures of straight line or arc shape are the singular configuration regarding to the model with non side-slipping while they have referred that the Conditions are the singular configuration regarding to the model including side-slipping [30]. In addition, they have defined all link length as unique parameter. On the other hand, this paper addresses the model which defines the designable parameters as non-unique variables in order to reveal the relation between the singular configuration and the designable parameters. This difference of the assumptions results in a substantial increase of the analysis complexity, because the link length and the position of the passive wheel defined as different parameters are unable to factorized as common variables.

Therefore, in this paper, an analysis method using redundancy of the snake-like robot is proposed. The singular configuration of the snake-like robot is analyzed based on the method. The proposed method contributes to simplify singularity analysis concerned with the designable parameters such as link length. An epitomization of the method is to resolve the snake-like robot into subsystems every three links. Applying the same analysis to all subsystem leads to singularity analysis of whole system. Since the subsystem is absolutely smaller than the whole system, the epitomization reduces complexity coming from different parameters. The subsystem is also able to be composed corresponding to the model including side-slipping as well as the one with non side-slipping. Consequently, the singular configurations of both the model including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping are analyzed in this paper.

The second main issue is to characterize the singular configuration of the snake-like robot by the axials of the passive wheels of all non side-slipping link. Tanaka et al. [30] have proven that the singular configuration is characterized by the axials of the passive wheels as the Conditions. The Conditions is novel characteristic to identify the singular configuration. However, they had a limitation for maintaining the uniform link length. By clearing the limitation, this paper proves effectiveness of the novel characteristic even if the designable parameters are defined as different values and the model includes side-slipping links.

This paper is organized as follows: Section 3 derives both kinematics and Jacobian matrices of the snake-like robot. Four kinds of kinematics around a joint are derived corresponding to side-slipping patterns. The Jacobian matrices of both the snake-like robot including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping are formulated by composing the four kinds of kinematics redundantly. By applying the analysis method using redundancy, Section 4 analyzes the singular configuration of the snake-like robot. Two theories and one lemma are proven with respect to the model with non side-slipping. Also, two theories and two lemmas are proven with respect to the model including side-slipping. Section 5 visualizes the analysis results via two numerical simulations. Section 6 concludes this paper.

2. Notation

Notations used in this paper are defined here for simplicity of description. The first is regarding to representation of side-slipping on schematic figures of the snake-like robot. The second is regarding to product of matrices. The last one is regarding to a relative angle.

Notation 1.

The passive wheel depicted on the schematic figure distinguishes between side-slipping and non side-slipping of a link. Figure 1a represents a non side-slipping link. Figure 1b represents a side-slipping link.

Notation 2.

In this paper, production of matrices is represented as follows:

∏i=1n_Ai:=_{An An−1 An−2}⋯_{A2 A1},∏i=1n_AiB:=_{An An−1 An−2}⋯_{A2 A1}B,

where,_Ai∈^Rn×n,B∈^Rn×m.

Notation 3.

The relative angle of adjacent ith link andi−1th link is represented as follow:

_ϕi:=_θi−_θi−1.

Whereas, the relative angle of non adjacent ith link and jth link is represented as follow:

ⁱ _ϕj:=_θi−_θj.

3. Kinematics of the Snake-Like Robot

A kinematics of n-link snake-like robot including some side-slipping links is formulated in this section by deriving velocity relations around each joint. Since the snake-like robot is a kind of redundant robots, its kinematics is also able to be represented by redundant relation. Thus, to derive the kinematics of n-link snake-like robot is equivalent to derive it between adjacent links. In particular, a kinematics around a joint between adjacent non side-slipping links is derived, also, ones including side-slipping link is derived from the derived kinematics. Finally, Jacobian matrices of both the n-link snake-like robot including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping are formulated, respectively.

3.1. Kinematics around a Joint Adjacent Two Links with Non Side-Slipping

A schematic figure of a joint between adjacent non side-slipping links is shown in Figure 2. Physical parameters and state variables are denoted in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.

From Figure 2, the passive wheel, which represents that the link is non side-slipping, is installed on arbitrary position of each link._θi(i=1,⋯,n)represents absolute angle of each link,_ϕi(i=2,⋯,n)represents relative angle between ith link andi−1th link, and(_xi,_yi)(i=1,⋯,n)represent position of the passive wheel of each link on generalized coordinate. Also,_diand_li(i=1,⋯,n)represent length from extremity to center of gravity (COG) and length from COG to end, respectively.

The generalized coordinate and the quasi-velocity coordinate are defined. From Figure 2, the generalized coordinate of the system_xpiis defined as:

_xpi:=^_θixiyiT.

Also, the quasi-velocity of the system_viis defined as:

_vi:=^_ωivxivyiT.

From Figure 2, the velocity transform matrix_Titransforms the generalized coordinate_xpito the quasi-velocity coordinate_vias below:

_x˙pi=_{Ti vi},_Ti=1000cos_θi−sin_θi0sin_θicos_θi.

From Figure 2, ith link is related toi−1th link as follows:

_θi=_θi,_xi=_xi−1+_li−1cos_θi−1+_dicos_θi,_yi=_yi−1+_li−1sin_θi−1+_disin_θi.

Its derivations are:

_θ˙i=_θ˙i,_x˙i=_x˙i−1−_li−1sin_{θi−1 θ˙i−1}−_disin_{θi θ˙i},_y˙i=_y˙i−1+_li−1cos_{θi−1 θ˙i−1}+_dicos_{θi θ˙i},

Equation (1) is reformulated as (2) by using the generalized velocity_x˙pi=d_xpi/dt.

_x˙pi=_{Λ¯i−1 x˙pi−1}+_{Δ¯i θ˙i},_Λ¯i−1=000−_li−1sin_θi−110_li−1cos_θi−101,_Δ¯i=1−_disin_θidicos_θi.

By transforming (2) to the quasi-velocity coordinate using the velocity transform matrix_Ti, and we obtain:

_{Ti vi}=_{Λ¯i−1Ti−1 vi−1}+_{Δ¯i ωi}.

Please note that the relative angle of each link is defined as_ϕi=_θi−_θi−1,(i=2,⋯,n)(Notation 3). Then,

_vi=_{Λi−1 vi−1}+_{Δi ωi},

where,

_Λi−1=^_Ti−1 _{Λ¯i−1 Ti−1}=000_li−1sin_ϕicos_ϕisin_ϕili−1cos_ϕi−sin_ϕicos_ϕi,_Δi=^_Ti−1 _Δ¯i=10_di.

Since adjacent link is supposed non side-slipping,_vyi=_vyi−1=0. Hence,

_ωi=−_{li−1 di}cos_{ϕi ωi−1}+1_disin_{ϕi vxi−1}.

Therefore, the kinematics around a joint of two adjacent links both non side-slipping is obtained as:

_vi=^_Ai′ _vi−1,i=2,⋯,n,^_Ai′=−_{li−1 di}cos_ϕi1_disin_ϕi0_li−1sin_ϕicos_ϕi0000,

where,^_A1′=^I3×2, and^Im×nrepresents the identity matrix∈^Rm×n.

3.2. Kinematics around a Joint Adjacent Two Links with Side-Slipping

From (3) and its derivation process, the kinematics around a joint including side-slipping links are derived as well. In this paper, the passive wheel represents that the link is side-slipping or non side-slipping in order to distinguish clearly (Notation 1). Combinations of side-slipping of two adjacent link regarding around a joint are shown in Figure 3.

The kinematics of Figure 3 are formulated as follows:

(a)

Both adjacent links are non side-slipping (Figure 3a).

_vi=^_Ai′ _vi−1,^_Ai′=−_{li−1 di}cos_ϕi1_disin_ϕi0_li−1sin_ϕicos_ϕi0000.

(b)

Only hind link is side-slipping (Figure 3b).

_vi=^_Ahi″ _vi−1+_{Δi ϕ˙i},^_Ahi″=^{_Ahi′ I2×3_Ahi′}=00_li−1sin_ϕicos_ϕili−1cos_ϕi−sin_ϕi+1000_di0.

(c)

Both adjacent links are side-slipping (Figure 3c).

_vi=^_Asi′ _vi−1+_{Δi ϕ˙i},^_Asi′=000_li−1sin_ϕicos_ϕisin_ϕili−1cos_ϕi−sin_ϕicos_ϕi+100000_di00.

(d)

Only front link is side-slipping (Figure 3d).

_vi=^_Afi″ _vi−1,^_Afi″=−_{li−1 di}cos_ϕi1_disin_ϕi−1_d1cos_ϕili−1sin_ϕicos_ϕisin_ϕi000=^_Afi′0T.

Submatrices are defined as follows:

_Ai:=−_{li−1 di}cos_ϕi1_disin_ϕili−1sin_ϕicos_ϕi,_δi:=0_di,_Ahi:=_li−1sin_ϕicos_ϕili−1cos_ϕi−sin_ϕi,_ahi:=sin_ϕicos_ϕi,_Asi:=cos_ϕisin_ϕi−sin_ϕicos_ϕi,_asi:=_li−1sin_ϕili−1cos_ϕi,_Afi:=1_disin_ϕi−1_dicos_ϕicos_ϕisin_ϕi,_afi:=−_{li−1 di}cos_ϕili−1sin_ϕi.

3.3. Jacobian Matrices

The Jacobian matrices of both the n-link snake-like robot including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping are formulated by using (4)–(7) redundantly. First, the Jacobian matrix_Jgof the n-link snake-like robot with non side-slipping is formulated. A tangent speedqis defined as:

q:=^_ω1vx1T.

The relative angular velocity vectorϕ˙is defined as:

ϕ˙:=^{_ϕ˙2⋯_ϕ˙nT}.

Thus, the Jacobian matrix_Jgof n-link snake-like robot with non side-slipping is formulated as follow:

ϕ˙=Jgq,Jg=e1T(A2−I)A1e1T(A3−I)A2 A1⋮e1T(An−I)∏m=1n−1Am∈Rn−1×2,

where,^_e1T=10.

Next, the Jacobian matrix_Jsof the n-link snake-like robot including side-slipping is formulated. While combinations of side-slipping exist infinite on the n-link snake-like robot, the Jacobian matrix_Js consists of (4)–(7) due to its redundancy, since product of the kinematics formulates it. We denotes a set of non side-slipping links as:

G:=_g1,⋯,_gη∈N,N:=1,⋯,n.

ϕis decomposed intoϕ=^_ϕsT_ϕgTT, where_ϕgand_ϕsare a relative angle vector of non side-slipping links and an one of side-slipping links respectively, and denoted as follows:

_ϕg:={_ϕg(i)|g(i)=G∩1¯,g(i+1)>g(i)},_ϕs:={_ϕs(i)|s(i)=G∩N¯,s(i+1)>s(i)},

where_ϕ˙1:=_vy1, since_ϕ1is unable to be defined as angle. Subscripts with respect to the set of non side-slipping linksg(i)are denoted as follow:

g(i−1):=ζ,g(i):=ι,g(i+1):=κ.

The Jacobian matrix of the n-link snake-like robot including side-slipping is formulated as follows:

_ϕ˙sϕ˙g=^{0n−η×2In−η×n−η}_Js^{∗η−1×n−η}q_ϕ˙s,

Js=e1T(B2−I)B1e1T(B3−I)B2 B1⋮e1T(Bη−I)∏m=1η−1Bm∈Rη−1×2,

_Bi=_Aιifι−ζ=1,^{_Afι′ _Ahζ+1′},ifι−ζ=2,^_Afι′∏m=ζ+2ι−1^{_Asm′ _Ahζ+1′},ifι−ζ>2,

where ∗ represents an element of the matrix.

This section has derived the kinematics around a joint corresponding to 4 patterns of side-slipping. By using the derived kinematics redundantly, the Jacobian matrices of both the n-link snake-like robot including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping have been formulated as (9) and (8) respectively.

4. Singularity Analysis

This section analyzes singularity of n-link snake-like robot. Since elements of matrix to be analyzed is unable to factorize to summation of trigonometric function, it is inappropriate to analyze the singularity by the method of Tanaka et al. [30] in the case of the snake-like robot supposed to non-uniform designable parameters addressed in this paper. The key point of our proposed method is in redundancy of the system which is one of big reason to make the snake-like robot popular. Using redundancy results in avoidance of complexity as well as systematic solution. Our proposed method provides the analysis results as same as Tanaka’s analysis [30]. In addition, the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is identified as follows:

1. Axials of passive wheel of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point.

2. Axials of passive wheel of all non side-slipping links are parallel.

The singular configuration of the snake-like robot with non side-slipping is analyzed first in order to propose our analysis method using redundancy as well as to prove that the analysis results in the above two conditions. The analysis proves as well that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters. The singular configuration of the snake-like robot including side-slipping is analyzed next. The analysis also proves that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is identified as the above two even if the side-slipping links are included.

4.1. Snake-Like Robot with non Side-Slipping

The singular configuration of the snake-like robot with non side-slipping is analyzed first. The previous studies have reported that the singular configuration is either straight line or arc shape—i.e., it depends on only state vector. This analysis proves that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters (such as link length and/or the position of the passive wheel) as well as the state vector. With respect to the snake-like robot with non side-slipping, following 2 theories and 1 lemma are obtained.

Theorem 1.

Except for∃_ϕi,_li−1=_di∩cos_ϕi=−1 , (8) is rank deficient if and only if,∀_ϕi ,

_{di li−1}cos_ϕi+11_di+1sin_ϕi+1−1_li−1sin_{ϕili di+1}cos_ϕi+1+1=0.

Proof.

From (8), since_Jg∈^Rn−1×2 , rank of (8) drops when rank_Jg<2 , and the snake-like robot poses the singular configuration. Row vectors of (8) are denoted as^_liT(i=1,⋯,n−1) . Since (8) possesses one independent row vector when rank_Jg= 1, it can be written by using arbitrary constants_αi(i=2,⋯,n−1)as follows:

Jg=l1Tα2 l1T⋮αn−1 l1T,

where,∀_αi≠0 . Rank of (12) equals 1 even if any 2 row vectors are chosen.—i.e., if submatrices_Ji(i=2,⋯,n−1), consisting of adjacent two row vectors, satisfy ∀rank_Ji= 1, rank_Jg= 1 and_Jgis rank deficient._Jiis

Ji=e1T(Ai−I)∏m=1i−1Ame1T(Ai+1−I)∏m=1iAm=e1T(I−Ai−1)e1T(Ai+1−I)∏m=1iAm=Ji¯∏m=1iAm.

From

_Ai=−_{li−1 di}^cos2 _ϕi−_{li−1 di}^sin2 _ϕi=−_{li−1 di},

since_Aiis rank safficient,

rank_Ji=rank_Ji¯.

By finding rank deficient conditions of_Ji¯, that is, solving|_Ji¯|=0, the conditions of which the snake-like robot poses the singular configuration are identified.

Please note that if∃_αi,_αi=0, it might be able to rank rank_Jg= 2 even if ∀rank_Ji = 1 in (12). In particular, when

Jg=l1Tα2 l1T⋮αj−1 l1T0Tlj+1Tαj+2 lj+1T⋮αn−1 lj+1T,

rank_Jg= 2, if^_l1Tand^_lj+1Tare linear independent. However, it is determined as rank deficient in above mentioned condition, because rank_Jj= rank_Jj+1= 1. Since∀_Ai≠0,_lj=0only when^_e1T(_Aj−I)=^0T. Because

^_e1T(_Aj−I)=−_{lj−1 dj}cos_ϕj−11_djsin_ϕj,

^_e1T(_Aj−I)≠^0Tas long as_lj−1≠_dj. Furthermore,^_e1T(_Aj−I)≠^0Tas long ascos_ϕj≠−1even if_lj−1=_dj.

Finally, since

_Ji¯=_{di li−1}cos_ϕi+1−1_li−1sin_ϕi−_{li di+1}cos_ϕi+1−11_di+1sin_ϕi+1=_{di li−1}cos_ϕi+11_di+1sin_ϕi+1−1_li−1sin_{ϕili di+1}cos_ϕi+1+1,

except for_li−1=_di∩cos_ϕi=−1 , (8) is rank deficient if and only if∀_ϕi , (11). □

Equation (11) clearly shows that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters as well as the state vector. Thus, it is limited into neither straight line nor arc shape. Equation (11) indicates to be unable to factorize to summation of trigonometric function due to different coefficients in the premise of different parameter definition. Furthermore, complexity of|_{J¯i Ai}| is more apparent than (11). This predisposition points difficulty of analyzing the Jacobian matrix at a time, and the method using redundancy has an advantage for avoiding the complexity.

Lemma 1.

_li−1=_di∩cos_ϕi=−1, —i.e.,^_e1T(_Aj−I)=^0Tif and only if the axials of the passive wheel overlap.

Proof.

In (13),

−_{lj−1 dj}cos_ϕj−1=−1_djlj−1cos_ϕj−_dj,

and equation in parentheses equals x coordinate of jth link corresponding toj−1th link. Hence, the wheels of jth link andj−1th link overlap when_li−1=_di∩cos_ϕi=−1. Thus, the axials of the passive wheel clearly overlap if^_e1T(_Aj−I)=^0T. □

The proposed analysis method is capable of analyzing simply even though the designable parameters of each link are defined as different ones. On the other hand, it has been shown the analysis method outputs uncertain result if the special condition (_li−1=_di∩cos_ϕi=−1) is satisfied. It also has been proven that the condition is satisfied when the axials of the adjacent passive wheels overlap. Since it is pose of which the links wholly overlaps, the actual snake-like robot generally never take that pose.

Theorem 2.

The snake-like robot is singular if and only if the axials of all passive wheel intersect at a common point or are parallel.

Proof.

ith link is focused on. A coordinate is set the origin at position of the passive wheel of ith link, and let the X axis and the Y axis are on its propulsive direction and normal direction of the passive wheel respectively. Let_bi−1and_bi+1are an intercept of the axial of the passive wheel ofi−1th link and the one ofi+1th link respectively. The axials of the passive wheels of alli−1th, ith andi+1th link intersect at a common point, if_bi−1=_bi+1 . It is proven that equations of the intercepts on that situation equals to (11). Figure 4 depicts the axials of alli−1th, ith andi+1th link.

The position of the passive wheel ofi−1th link is

_xi−1=−_di−_li−1cos_ϕi,_yi−1=_li−1sin_ϕi.

Since a slope of thei−1th link equals−tan_ϕi, a slope of the axial of the passive wheel is follow:

_ai−1=1tan_ϕi=cos_ϕisin_ϕi.

Hence, the intercept of the passive wheel of thei−1th link_bi−1is

_bi−1=1sin_ϕi(_li−1+_dicos_ϕi).

Also, the intercept of the passive wheel of thei+1th link_bi+1is

_bi+1=1sin_ϕi+1(_di+1+_licos_ϕi+1).

If_bi−1=_bi+1,

_li−1sin_{ϕidi li−1}cos_ϕi+1=_di+1sin_{ϕi+1li di+1}cos_ϕi+1+1,

By multiplying1_{li−1 di+1}sin_ϕisin_ϕi+1to the both side,

_{di li−1}cos_ϕi+11_di+1sin_ϕi+1=1_li−1sin_{ϕili di+1}cos_ϕi+1+1.

The axials of all passive wheel intersect at a common point when∀_ϕi , (14). Since (14) equals (11), the axials of all passive wheel intersect at a common point when the snake-like robot is singular.

When_ϕi=_ϕi+1=0 , (11) equals (14) at 0. Since_ϕi=_ϕi+1=0represents the axials of the passive wheel are parallel, the axials of all passive wheel are parallel when the snake-like robot is singular. □

4.2. Snake-Like Robot with Side-Slipping

The singular configuration of the snake-like robot including side-slipping is analyzed next. It also analyzed as same as the one with non side-slipping as well. An analysis result shows that it satisfies the two conditions mentioned at beginning of this section. With respect to the snake-like robot including side-slipping, following 2 theories and 2 lemmas are obtained.

Theorem 3.

Except for^_e1T(_Bi−I)=^0T , (9) is rank deficient if and only if∀_ϕi ,

_{dι lζ}cos^ι _ϕζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm lζ}cos^ζ _ϕm+11_dκsin^κ _ϕζ−1_lιsin^ι _{ϕζlι dκ}cos^κ _ϕι+∑m=ι+1κ−1_{Lm dκ}cos^κ _ϕι+1=0.

Proof.

From (9), since columns after 3rd column are clearly rank sufficient and_Js∈^Rη−1×2 , rank of (9) drops and the snake-like robot is singular, when rank_Js<2 . (10) is analyzed as well as (8). Thus, conditions of which rank_J¯sidrops are formulated. Where,

_J¯si=^_e1T(I−^_Bi−1)^_e1T(^_Bi+1−1+I).

_Biis expanded with supposingι−ζ>2as the most complex case.

_Bi=−_{lζ dι}cos^ι _ϕζ−∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm dι}cos^ι _ϕm1_dιsin^ι _ϕζlζsin^ι _ϕζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_Lmsin^ι _ϕmcos^ι _ϕζ.

Thus,

^_Bi−1=cos^ι _ϕζ|_Bi|−sin^ι _ϕζdι|_Bi|∗∗,∵_Bi=−_{lζ dι}−∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm dι}cos^ζ _ϕm.

_J¯siis transformed as:

−cos^ι _ϕζ|_Bi|+1sin^ι _ϕζdι|_Bi|−_{lι dκ}cos^κ _ϕι−∑m=ι+1κ−1_{Lm dκ}cos^κ _ϕm−11_dκsin^κ _ϕι→_{dι lζ}cos^ι _ϕζ−|_Bi|_dιsin^ι _{ϕζlζ dι}−_{lι dκ}cos^κ _ϕι−∑m=ι+1κ−1_{Lm dκ}cos^κ _ϕm−11_dκsin^κ _ϕι=_{dι lζ}cos^ι _ϕζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm lζ}cos^ζ _ϕm+1−1_lιsin^ι _ϕζ−_{lι dκ}cos^κ _ϕι−∑m=ι+1κ−1_{Lm dκ}cos^κ _ϕm−11_dκsin^κ _ϕι.

Therefore, except for^_e1T(_Bi−I)=^0T , (10) is rank deficient if and only if∀_ϕi , (15). □

Equation (15) also indicates as well as (11) that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters as well as the state vector.

Lemma 2.

_Bi is singular if and only if the joint of next non side-lipping link is placed on a axial of the passive wheel of current non side-slipping link (see Figure 5).

Proof.

In (16),

_Bi=−1_dιlζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_Lmcos^m _ϕζ,

and an equation in the parentheses equals the x coordinate of the joint ofιth link corresponding toζth link. □

Lemma 3.

^_e1T(_Bi−I)=0 if and only if the axials of both current and next non side-slipping link overlap (see Figure 6).

Proof.

^_e1T(_Bi−I)=−_{lζ dι}cos^ι _ϕζ−∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm dι}cos^ι _ϕm−11_dιsin^ι _ϕζ,_θι=_θζ,if^ι _ϕζ=0,_θζ+π,if^ι _ϕζ=π,∵1_dιsin^ι _ϕζ=0.

Thus,

−_{lζ dι}cos^ι _ϕζ−∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm dι}cos^ι _ϕm−1=∓1_dιlζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_Lmcos^m _ϕζ±_dι.

An equation in the parentheses equals x coordinate of the passive wheel of next non side-slipping link (ζth link) of when^ι _ϕζ=0,π. Hence, the axials of the passive wheel of both current and next non side-slipping link overlap. □

Theorem 4.

The snake-like robot is singular if and only if the axials of passive wheel of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point or are parallel.

Proof.

ιth link is focused on. A coordinate is set the origin at position of the passive wheel ofιth link, and let the X axis and the Y axis are on its propulsive direction and normal direction of the passive wheel respectively. Let_bζand_bκare an intercept of the axial of the passive wheel ofζth link and the one ofκth link respectively. The axials of the passive wheels of allζth,ιth andκth link intersect at a common point, if_bζ=_bκ . It is proven that equations of the intercepts on that situation equals to (15). Figure 7 depicts the axials of allζth,ιth andκth link.

The position of the passive wheel ofκth link is

_xκ=_lι+∑m=ι+1κ−1_Lmcos^m _ϕι+_dκcos^κ _ϕι,_yκ=∑m=ι+1κ−1_Lmsin^m _ϕι+_dκsin^κ _ϕι.

Since a slope of theκth link equalstan^κ _ϕι, a slope of the axial of the passive wheel is follow:

_aκ=−1tan^κ _ϕι=−cos^κ _ϕιsin^κ _ϕι.

Hence, the intercept of the passive wheel of theκth link_bκis

_bκ=1sin^κ _ϕιlκcos^κ _ϕι+∑m=ι+1κ−1_Lmcos^κ _ϕm+_dκ.

Also, the intercept of the passive wheel of theζth link_bζis

_bζ=1sin^ι _ϕζdιcos^ι _ϕζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_Lmcos^ζ _ϕm+_lζ.

If_bζ=_bκ,

1sin^ι _ϕζdιcos^ι _ϕζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_Lmcos^ζ _ϕm+_lζ=1sin^κ _ϕιlκcos^κ _ϕι+∑m=ι+1κ−1_Lmcos^κ _ϕm+_dκ.

By multiplying1_{lζ dκ}sin^ι _ϕζsin^κ _ϕιto the both side,

_{dι lζ}cos^ι _ϕζ+∑m=ζ+1ι−1_{Lm lζ}cos^ζ _ϕm+11_dκsin^κ _ϕζ=1_lιsin^ι _{ϕζlι dκ}cos^κ _ϕι+∑m=ι+1κ−1_{Lm dκ}cos^κ _ϕι+1

The axials of all passive wheel intersect at a common point when∀_ϕi , (17). Since (17) equals (15), the axials of passive wheel of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point when the snake-like robot is singular.

When^ι _ϕζ=^κ _ϕι=0 , (15) equals (17) at 0. Since^ι _ϕζ=^κ _ϕι=0represents the axials of the passive wheel of non side-slipping link are parallel, the axials of passive wheel of all non side-slipping links are parallel when the snake-like robot is singular. □

5. Numerical Simulation

It has been so far identified as following two conditions. One is that the axials of all passive wheel intersect at a point. Another is that the axials of all passive wheel are parallel. To show the singular configuration particularly, this section visualizes the singular configuration via two simulations. According to the analysis process in this paper, first simulation verifies that the singaular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters as well as the state vector. Second simulation verifies that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is able to be characterized by axials of the passive wheels of all non side-slipping links. Both simulations analyze both the snake-like robot including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping, and performed by MaTX VC version 5.3.45 [37]. The designable parameters used in the both simulations is shown in Table 3.

The first simulation visualizes the state vectors of the singular configuration in the state coordinate space. The state vectors of the singular configuration of the both 3-link and 4-link snake-like robot with non side-slipping are calculated by solving (11). In addition, the state vectors of the singular configuration of the 4-link snake-like robot including side-slipping are calculated by solving (15).

Simulation results are shown in Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11.

Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the relative angles on the singular configuration in the state coordinate space. Red shows singular configuration with_di=1.0m and_li=1.0 m (Case 1 in Table 3). This configuration has been defined as singular configuration in the previous studies. In fact, red shows state values of either straight line or arc shape. If the singular configuration is either straight line or arc shape—i.e., it depends on the state values only, the relative angles in the state coordinate space are unchanged even if the designable parameters are changed. However, green and blue in both Figure 8 and Figure 9 are absolutely discord. That is, Figure 8 and Figure 9 clearly show that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters as well as the state values. Figure 10 and Figure 11 show the relative angles on the singular configuration including side-slipping in the state coordinate space, and these are absolutely discord. Hence, Figure 10 and Figure 11 also clearly show that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters as well as the state values. Thus, the designable parameters affect dynamics of the snake-like robot.

Second simulation shows the axials of the passive wheel of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point when the snake-like robot is singular. The singular configuration of 4-link snake-like robot is analyzed. Case 2 and Case 3 in Table 3 are chosen as the designable parameters. Let_ϕ2=1.2rad for Case 2 and_ϕ2=π/3 for Case 3, and the intercepts of the axials of the passive wheel and the singular configurations are obtained by solving (11) and (14). Simulation results are shown in Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15.

Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15 shows that the axials of the passive wheel intersect at a common point, when the snake-like robot is singular. Since_ϕ3=1.38rad and_ϕ4=1.69 rad in Figure 12,_ϕ3=0.81rad and_ϕ4=0.68 rad in Figure 13,_ϕ4=1.98 rad in Figure 14 and_ϕ4=−1.50 rad in Figure 15, the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is not limited to either straight line or arc shape.

This two simulations has proven that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot depends on the designable parameters as well as the state values, and it is characterized by the intersection of the axials rather than the state values.

6. Conclusions

This paper has elucidated the generalized singularity analysis of the snake-like robot affected by the designable parameters such as the link length and/or the position of the passive wheel. This paper has addressed the model installing the passive wheel on arbitrary position, while the previous studies had addressed the model installing the wheel on the center of each link.

By applying the method using redundancy of the snake-like robot, we have reduced high complexity due to different set-up corresponding to the non-unique designable parameters such as link length and/or the position of the passive wheel. First, the kinematics around a joint of two adjacent links installing the passive wheel on arbitrary position have been derived corresponding to four patterns of side-slipping. By composing the joint kinematics redundantly, the kinematics of whole snake-like robot is formulated. Second, the Jacobian matrices of both the one including side-slipping and the one with non side-slipping have been formulated by using the kinematics. Finally, the rank deficient conditions of the Jacobian matrices—i.e., the singular configuration of the snake-like robot have been analyzed.

The analysis creates two contributions. The first contribution is that the singular configuration depends on the designable parameters such as link length and/or the position of the passive wheel as well as the state vector consisted of the relative angles. Theorem 1 and 3 have revealed the relation between the singular configuration of the snake-like robot and the designable parameters, while the previous studies have reported that the singular configuration depends on only the state vector. The second contribution is that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is able to be characterized by the axials of the passive wheel of all non side-slipping link. Theorem 2 and 4 have proven that the singular configuration of the snake-like robot is identified as the following two conditions regardless of whether the side-slippings actually exist.

1. Axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links intersect at a common point.

2. Axials of passive wheels of all non side-slipping links are parallel.

These analyses lead shows discussions on the system design in the previous studies was insufficient. Conversely, this paper has shown importance, necessity and possibility of the discussion with respect to the system design including the locomotion control system as well as the designable parameters in the area of the snake-like robot. The discussion of the system design has a lot of possibilities to be a new index of mechanical design. For example in the area of the snake-like robot, we will be able to design a robot which is unlikely to result in the singular configuration as well as a novel locomotion control system. For another instance, the discussion will lead to invent a novel snake-like robot which can control the position of passive wheels actively. Also for another robotic system, the discussion helps robot’s mechanical design corresponding to its intended use. Especially for unstable system, the discussion contributes to maximize its stability region.

Author Contributions

S.N., M.I. and H.I. conceptualized the paper. S.N. conceived and proofed the theorems and the lemmas. S.N. performed the numerical simulations. S.N., M.I. and H.I. wrote the paper.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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