Type synthesis of parallel mechanisms with a constant Jacobian matrix

Jacobian matrix plays a key role in the analysis, design, and control of robots. For example, it can be used for the performance analysis and evaluation of parallel mechanisms (PMs). However, the Jacobian matrix of a PM generally varies with the poses of the moving platform in the workspace. This leads to a nonconstant performance index of the PM. PMs with a constant Jacobian matrix have simple kinematics and are easy to design and control. This paper proposes a method for obtaining PMs with a constant Jacobian matrix. First, the criteria for detecting invariance of a Jacobian matrix are obtained based on the screw theory. An approach to the synthesis of PMs with a constant Jacobian matrix is then proposed. Using this approach, PMs with a constant Jacobian matrix are synthesized in two steps: the limb design and the combination of the limbs. Several PMs with a constant Jacobian matrix are obtained. In addition to the translational parallel mechanisms (TPMs) with a constant Jacobian matrix in the literature, the mixed-motion PMs whose moving platform can both translate and rotate with a constant Jacobian matrix are newly identified. The input/output velocity analysis of several PMs is presented to verify that Jacobian matrix of these PMs is constant.