Forward and inverse dynamics of nonholonomic mechanical systems

This paper deals with the forward and the inverse dynamic problems of mechanical systems subjected to nonholonomic constraints. The intrinsically dual nature of these two problems is identified and utilised to develop a systematic approach to formulate and solve them according to an unified framework. The proposed methodology is based on the fundamental equations of constrained motion which derive from Gauss’s principle of least constraint. The main advantage arising from using the fundamental equations of constrained motion is that they represent an effective method capable to derive the generalised acceleration of a mechanical system, constrained in general by a set of nonholonomic constraints, together with the generalized constraint forces (forward dynamics). When the constraint equations are used to represent the desired behaviour of the mechanical system under study, the generalised constraint forces deriving from the fundamental equations of constrained motion provide the control actions which reproduce the specified motion for the system (inverse dynamics). This approach is systematically extended to underactuated mechanical systems introducing a new method named underactuation equivalence principle. The underactuation equivalence principle is founded on the key idea that the underactuation property of a mechanical system can be mathematically represented using a particular set of nonholonomic constraint equations. Two simple case-studies are reported to exemplify the proposed methodology. In the first case-study the computation of the generalised constraint forces relative to the revolute joint constraints of a physical pendulum is illustrated. In the second case-study the calculation of the control action which solves the swing-up problem for an inverted pendulum is described.     

New methods to find solutions and analyze stability of equilibrium of nonholonomic mechanical systems

A large proportion of constrained mechanical systems result in nonlinear ordinary differential equations, for which it is quite difficult to find analytical solutions. The initial motions method proposed by Whittaker is effective to deal with such problems for various constrained mechanical systems, including the nonholonomic systems discussed in the first part of this paper, where in addition to differential equations of motion, nonholonomic constraints apply. The final equations of motion for these systems are obtained in the form of corresponding power series. Also, an alternative, direct method to determine the initial values of higher-order derivatives \({\ddot{q}}_0 ,{{\dddot{q}{} }}_{\!0} ,\ldots \) is proposed, being different from that of Whittaker. The second part of this work analyzes the stability of equilibrium of less complex, nonholonomic mechanical systems represented by gradient systems. We discuss the stability of equilibrium of such systems based on the properties of the gradient system. The advantage of this novel method is its avoidance of the difficulty of directly establishing Lyapunov functions aimed at such unsteady nonlinear systems. Finally, these theoretical considerations are illustrated through four examples.     

On the new forms of the differential equations of the systems with higher-order nonholonomic constraints

In this paper, the new forms of the differential equations of motion of the systems with higher-order nonholonomic constraints are obtained at first, and then the equivalence between these equations and the known equations is demonstrated. Finally an example is given to illustrate the application of our new equations.     

Energy integrals for mechanical systems with nonlinear nonholonomic constraints

The work analyzes energy relations for nonholonomic systems, whose motion is restricted by nonlinear nonholonomic constraints. For the mechanical systems with linear constraints, the analysis of energy relations was carried out in [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6] …. On the basis of corresponding Lagrange’s equations, a general law of the change in energy dε/dt is formulated for mentioned systems by the help of which it is shown that there are two types of the laws of conservation of energy, depending on the structure of elementary work of the forces of constraint reactions. Also, the condition for existing the second type of the law of conservation of energy is formulated in the form of the system of partial differential equations. The obtained results are illustrated by a model of nonholonomic mechanical system.     

A new approach to the vakonomic mechanics

The aim of this paper was to show that the Lagrange–d’Alembert and its equivalent the Gauss and Appel principle are not the only way to deduce the equations of motion of the nonholonomic systems. Instead of them we consider the generalization of the Hamiltonian principle for nonholonomic systems with non-zero transpositional relations. We apply this variational principle, which takes into the account transpositional relations different from the classical ones, and we deduce the equations of motion for the nonholonomic systems with constraints that in general are nonlinear in the velocity. These equations of motion coincide, except perhaps in a zero Lebesgue measure set, with the classical differential equations deduced with the d’Alembert–Lagrange principle. We provide a new point of view on the transpositional relations for the constrained mechanical systems: the virtual variations can produce zero or non-zero transpositional relations. In particular, the independent virtual variations can produce non-zero transpositional relations. For the unconstrained mechanical systems, the virtual variations always produce zero transpositional relations. We conjecture that the existence of the nonlinear constraints in the velocity must be sought outside of the Newtonian mechanics. We illustrate our results with examples.     

非完整约束系统几何动力学研究进展:Lagrange理论及其它

近10年来, 非完整力学的发展主要集中在两个相互关联的方向上, 一个是非完整运动规划, 另一个则是非完整约束系统的几何动力学, 这两个研究方向都充分地利用了现代几何学, 如纤维丛理论、辛流形和Poisson流形结构等等.本文主要综述非完整约束系统几何动力学的外附型和内禀型Lagrange理论, 包括非定常力学系统所需要的射丛几何学的基本概念、射丛按约束的直和分解、约束流形上的水平分布、D'Alembert-Lagrange方程与Chaplygin方程的整体描述、以及Riemann-Cartan流形上的非完整力学, 文中对Chetaev条件和d-δ交换关系的几何意义作了深入讨论.除此之外, 简要评述非完整力学的Hamilton理论与赝Poisson结构、Noether对称性和Lie对称性、动量映射与对称约化、Vakonomic动力学等几个非常重要专题的研究进展.      

Lie symmetries,symmetrical perturbation and a new adiabatic invariant for disturbed nonholonomic systems

For a nonlinear nonholonomic constrained mechanical system with the action of small forces of perturbation, Lie symmetries, symmetrical perturbation, and a new type of non-Noether adiabatic invariants are presented in general infinitesimal transformation of Lie groups. Based on the invariance of the equations of motion for the system under general infinitesimal transformation of Lie groups, the Lie symmetrical determining equations, constraints restriction equations, additional restriction equations, and exact invariants of the system are given. Then, under the action of small forces of perturbation, the determining equations, constraints restriction equations, and additional restriction equations of the Lie symmetrical perturbation are obtained, and adiabatic invariants of the Lie symmetrical perturbation, the weakly Lie symmetrical perturbation, and the strongly Lie symmetrical perturbation for the disturbed nonholonomic system are obtained, respectively. Furthermore, a set of non-Noether exact invariants and adiabatic invariants are given in the special infinitesimal transformations. Finally, one example is given to illustrate the application of the method and results.     

Variational principles for constrained systems: Theory and experiment

In this paper we present two methods, the nonholonomic method and the vakonomic method, for deriving equations of motion for a mechanical system with constraints. The resulting equations are compared. Results are also presented from an experiment for a model system: a ball rolling without sliding on a rotating table. Both sets of equations of motion for the model system are compared with the experimental results. The effects of various forms of friction are considered in the nonholonomic equations. With appropriate friction terms, the nonholonomic equations of motion for the model system give reasonable agreement with the experimental observations.     

一类多体系统非完整运动最优规划的拟牛顿算法

研究带有非完整约束的一类多体系统运动规划问题。多体系统中的非完整约束通常是由不可积的速度约束或不可积的守恒律引起。在系统动量和动量矩守恒情况下,动力学方程降阶为非完整形式约束方程,系统的控制问题可转化为无漂移系统的非完整运动规划问题。文中首先导出具有多体开链系统的非完整运动模型。利用最优控制理论和最优化技术,采用输入参数化的方法将连续的最优控制问题转化为离散的最优控制问题,提出一种非完整多体系统运动规划的拟牛顿算法。最后将该方法用于自由漂浮的空间三连杆机构,仿真结果验证了该方法的有效性。     

EXTENSION OF THE MAC-KILLAN'S EQUATIONS TO NONLINEAR NONHOLONOMIC MECHANICAL SYSTEMS

In this article,the Mac-Millan's equations are extended to the most general nonholonomic mechanical systems and the generalized Mac-Millan's equations for nonlinear nonholonomic systems are obtained. And then the equivalence between the generalized Mac-Millan's equations and the generalized Chaply-gin's equations is demonstrated. Finally an example is given,     

Optimal control of nonholonomic motion planning for a free-falling cat

The nonholonomic motion planning of a free-falling cat is investigated. Non-holonomicity arises in a free-falling cat subject to nonintegrable angle velocity constraints or nonintegrable conservation laws. When the total angular momentum is zero, the motion equation of a free-falling cat is established based on the model of two symmetric rigid bodies and conservation of angular momentum. The control of system can be converted to the problem of nonholonomic motion planning for a free-falling cat. Based on Ritz approximation theory, the Gauss-Newton method for motion planning by a falling cat is proposed. The effectiveness of the numerical algorithm is demonstrated through simulation on model of a free-falling cat.     

Optimal control of nonholonomic motion planning for a flee-falling cat

The nonholonomic motion phnning of a free-falling cat is investigated.Nonholonomicity arises in a free-falling cat subject to nonintegrable angle velocity constraints or nonintegrable conservation laws.When the total angular momentum is zero,the motion equation of a free-falling cat is established based on the model of two symmetric rigid bodies and conservation of angular momentum.The control of system can be converted to the problem of nonholonomic motion planning for a free-falling cat.Based on Ritz approximation theory,the Gauss-Newton method for motion planning by a falling cat is proposed.The effectiveness of the numerical algorithm is demonstrated through simulation on model of a free-falling cat.     

Another form of equations of motion for constrained multibody systems

This paper presents a new and simplified set of explicit equations of motion for constrained mechanical systems. The equations are applicable with both holonomic and nonholonomic systems and the constraints may, or may not, be ideal. It is shown that this set of equations is equivalent to governing equations developed earlier by others. The connection of these equations with Kane's equations is discussed. It is shown that the developed equations are directly applicable with controlled systems where the controlling forces and moments may be subject to constraints. Finally, a procedure is presented for determining which control force systems are equivalent. Examples are presented to demonstrate the advantages, features, and range of application of the equations.     

Szebehely's problem for nonholonomic systems with a given first integral

I.IntroductionTheinverseproblemofdynamicsisoneoftheimportantsubjectsinmechanics.In1977,Szebehelysetforthaninverseproblemforthedeterminationofthet'orcefunctiontoamaterialpointintheplanefromparametricfamilyoftrajectories,andobtainedalinearfirstorderpartialdifferentialequationfortheforcefunction.Later,Erdil'l,MellsandPirast=l,MellsandBorgherol'l,BoilsandMertnsl4]extendedSzebehely'sproblemtoboththreeandndimensionalholonomicsystem.Recently,theauthorandProfessorMetFengxiangl'1studiedtheSzebehe…     

On the stability of equilibria of nonholonomic systems with nonlinear constraints

Lyapunov＇s first method, extended by V. V. Kozlov to nonlinear mechani- cal systems, is applied to the study of the instability of the position of equilibrium of a mechanical system moving in the field of conservative and dissipative forces. The mo- tion of the system is limited by ideal nonlinear nonholonomic constraints. Five cases determined by the relationship between the degree of the first nontrivial polynomials in Maclaurin＇s series for the potential energy and the functions that can be generated from the equations of nonlinear nonholonomic constraints are analyzed. In the three eases, the theorem on the instability of the position of equilibrium of nonholonomic systems with linear homogeneous constraints （V. V. Kozlov （1986）） is generalized to the case of nonlin- ear nonhomogeneous constraints. In the other two cases, new theorems are set extending the result from V. V. Kozlov （1994） to nonholonomic systems with nonlinear constraints.     

ROUTH’S EQUATIONS FOR GENERAL NONHOLONOMIC MECHANICAL SYSTEMS OF VARIABLE MASS

In this paper,Routh’s equations for the mechanical systems of the variable masswith nonlinear nonholonomic constraints of arbitrary orders in a noninertial referencesystem have been deduced not from any variational principles,but from the dynamicalequations of Newtonian mechanics.And then again the other forms of equations fornonholonomic systems of variable mass are obtained from Routh’s equations.     

具有可积微分约束的力学系统的Lie对称性

研究具有可积微分约束的力学系统的Ｌｉｅ对称性与守恒量。采用两种方法：一是用不可积微分约束系统的方法;另一是用积分后降阶系统的方法,研究两种方法之间的关系。     

A Note on the Theory of Motion of an Articulated Truck

A mathematical model of an n-link vehicle is described. It is based on the D'Alembert–Lagrange equations and the use of the instantaneous velocity centers of isolated links resulted from the constraints imposed on the system. The model, consisting of typical elements, is comparatively simple and obvious. The reactions of holonomic and nonholonomic constraints are determined. Specific systems, including those with imperfect constraints, are considered as an example.