Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive

In recent years, with the development of robot transmission technology, the market demand for high-performance actuators, which can be applied to lower limb exoskeleton assist robots, is increasing. These robots help achieve human–robot interaction through rigid and flexible coupling, and they can e...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xuan Li, Yang Li, Weilong Niu, Ran Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Actuators
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/7/292
_version_ 1797590744860459008
author Xuan Li
Yang Li
Weilong Niu
Ran Guo
author_facet Xuan Li
Yang Li
Weilong Niu
Ran Guo
author_sort Xuan Li
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, with the development of robot transmission technology, the market demand for high-performance actuators, which can be applied to lower limb exoskeleton assist robots, is increasing. These robots help achieve human–robot interaction through rigid and flexible coupling, and they can ensure the flexibility of the elderly or patients in daily walking and rehabilitation training. A novel actuator with a double-roller gear drive structure is proposed with high bearing capability and high transmission efficiency due to multi-tooth rolling contact with small tooth difference such that friction is greatly reduced in the transmission process compared to what occurs in involute planetary transmission. The bearing capacity of the tooth surface was analyzed by using the loaded contact analysis method. Finally, a prototype was manufactured with the 3D printer, and the maximum output torque of the developed actuator was tested with an experimental setup. The results show that this novel actuator, with its double-roller gear drive, has huge potential for use in the hip joint of an exoskeleton robot.
first_indexed 2024-03-11T01:24:51Z
format Article
id doaj.art-c6ffb550f18348c9bdba8c3d007f86f7
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2076-0825
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-11T01:24:51Z
publishDate 2023-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Actuators
spelling doaj.art-c6ffb550f18348c9bdba8c3d007f86f72023-11-18T17:49:46ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252023-07-0112729210.3390/act12070292Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear DriveXuan Li0Yang Li1Weilong Niu2Ran Guo3School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, ChinaSchool of Rail Transportation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, ChinaIn recent years, with the development of robot transmission technology, the market demand for high-performance actuators, which can be applied to lower limb exoskeleton assist robots, is increasing. These robots help achieve human–robot interaction through rigid and flexible coupling, and they can ensure the flexibility of the elderly or patients in daily walking and rehabilitation training. A novel actuator with a double-roller gear drive structure is proposed with high bearing capability and high transmission efficiency due to multi-tooth rolling contact with small tooth difference such that friction is greatly reduced in the transmission process compared to what occurs in involute planetary transmission. The bearing capacity of the tooth surface was analyzed by using the loaded contact analysis method. Finally, a prototype was manufactured with the 3D printer, and the maximum output torque of the developed actuator was tested with an experimental setup. The results show that this novel actuator, with its double-roller gear drive, has huge potential for use in the hip joint of an exoskeleton robot.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/7/292actuatorload distributionloaded transmission errordouble-roller gear drive
spellingShingle Xuan Li
Yang Li
Weilong Niu
Ran Guo
Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
Actuators
actuator
load distribution
loaded transmission error
double-roller gear drive
title Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
title_full Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
title_fullStr Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
title_full_unstemmed Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
title_short Design and Analysis of a Novel Actuator with a Double-Roller Gear Drive
title_sort design and analysis of a novel actuator with a double roller gear drive
topic actuator
load distribution
loaded transmission error
double-roller gear drive
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/12/7/292
work_keys_str_mv AT xuanli designandanalysisofanovelactuatorwithadoublerollergeardrive
AT yangli designandanalysisofanovelactuatorwithadoublerollergeardrive
AT weilongniu designandanalysisofanovelactuatorwithadoublerollergeardrive
AT ranguo designandanalysisofanovelactuatorwithadoublerollergeardrive