Singularity analysis of multi-DOF (multiple-degree-of-freedom) multiloop planar linkages is much more complicated than the single-DOF planar linkages. This paper offers a degeneration method to analyze the singularity (dead center position) of multi-DOF multiloop planar linkages. The proposed method is based on the singularity analysis results of single-DOF planar linkages and the less-DOF linkages. For an N-DOF (N>1) planar linkage, it generally requires N inputs for a constrained motion. By fixing M (M<N) input joints or links, the N-DOF planar linkage degenerates an (N-M)-DOF linkage. If any one of the degenerated linkages is at the dead center position, the whole N-DOF linkage must be also at the position of singularity. With the proposed method, one may find out that it is easy to obtain the singular configurations of a multiple-DOF multiloop linkage. The proposed method is a general concept in sense that it can be systematically applied to analyze the singularity for any multiple-DOF planar linkage regardless of the number of kinematic loop or the types of joints. The velocity method for singularity analysis is also used to verify the results. The proposed method offers simple explanation and straightforward geometric insights for the singularity identification of multiple-DOF multiloop planar linkages. Examples are also employed to demonstrate the proposed method.

Equivalent four-bar linkage has been proved to be a simple and general approach for the identification of the singularity (dead center position) of single-DOF complex planar linkages. Based on the concept of equivalent four-bar linkage, this paper proposes the concept of equivalent five-bar linkage and extend this concept to analyze the singularity (dead center position) of three different topologies of two-DOF seven-bar planar linkages for the first time. The five links chosen from the two-DOF seven-bar linkage compose one equivalent five-bar linkage. A singular position may happen when the three passive joints of one equivalent five-bar linkage become collinear. When the equivalent five-bar linkage is at the singular position, the whole two-DOF seven-bar planar linkage must be also at the position of singularity. The propose method offers another geometric insights for the singularity analysis of two-DOF seven-bar planar linkages and other multiple-DOF planar linkages.

The full rotatability of a linkage refers to a linkage in which the input may complete a continuous and smooth rotation without the possibility of encountering a dead center position. Full rotatability identification is a problem generally encountered among the mobility problems that may include branch (assembly mode or circuit), sub-branch (singularity-free) identification, range of motion, and order of motion in linkage analysis and synthesis. In a complex linkage, the input rotatability of each branch may be different while the Watt six-bar linkages may be special. This paper presents a unified and analytical method for the full rotatability identification of Watt six-bar linkages regardless of the choice of input joints or reference link or joint type. The branch of a Watt without dead center positions has full rotatability. Using discriminant method and the concept of joint rotation space (JRS), the full rotatability of a Watt linkage can be easily identified. The proposed method is general and conceptually straightforward. It can be applied for all linkage inversions. Examples of Watt linkage and a six-bar linkage with prismatic joints are employed to illustrate the proposed method.

Abstract. Spherical parallel manipulators (SPMs) have a great potential for industrial applications of robot wrists, camera-orientating devices, and even sensors because of their special structure. However, increasing with the number of links, the kinematics analysis of the complex SPMs is formidable. The main contribution of this paper is to present a kind of 2 degree-of-freedom (DOF) seven-bar SPM containing two five-bar spherical loops, which has the advantages of high reaction speed, accuracy rating, and rigidity. And based on the unusual actuated choices and symmetrical loop structure, an approach is provided to identify singularities and branches of this kind of 2 DOF seven-bar SPM according to three following steps. Firstly, loop equations of the two five-bar spherical loops, which include all the kinematic characteristics of this SPM, are established with joint rotation and side rotation. Secondly, branch graphs are obtained by Maple based on the discriminants of loop equations and the concept of joint rotation space (JRS). Then, singularities are directly determined by the singular boundaries of the branch graphs, and branches are easily identified by the overlapping areas of JRS of two five-bar spherical loops. Finally, this paper distinguishes two types of branches of this SPM according to whether branch points exist to decouple the kinematics, which can be used for different performance applications. The proposed method is visual and offers geometric insights into understanding the formation of mobility using branch graphs. At the end of this paper, two examples are employed to illustrate the proposed method.