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UniversalConstraint.md

UniversalConstraint

Universal cut-joint that constrains frame_b to two rotational degrees of freedom (about axis n_a fixed in frame_a and axis n_b fixed in frame_b) relative to frame_a, without introducing state variables for the relative motion.

Unlike the standard Universal joint, this component does not define explicit state variables for the relative motion; instead it imposes kinematic constraints between frame_a and frame_b and evaluates the forces and torques required to satisfy them (an "implicit" joint). As a consequence, the relative kinematics between the two frames cannot be initialized.

It is intended for closed kinematic loops, where this formulation can simplify the resulting non-linear system of equations. In systems without closed loops the standard Universal joint should be used instead.

The two axes n_a and n_b must be different (ideally perpendicular). The translational constraints may be released individually per axis (resolved in frame_a) with x_locked, y_locked, z_locked.

This component extends from PartialTwoFrames This component extends from Renderable

Usage

MultibodyComponents.UniversalConstraint(render=true, color=world_default_joint_color(), specular_coefficient=1.5, sphere_diameter=world_default_joint_length() / 3)

Parameters:

NameDescriptionUnitsDefault value
x_lockedIf true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a x-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)true
y_lockedIf true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a y-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)true
z_lockedIf true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a z-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)true
n_aAxis of revolute joint 1, resolved in frame_a[1, 0, 0]
n_bAxis of revolute joint 2, resolved in frame_b[0, 1, 0]
rendertrue
colorworld_defau...int_color()
specular_coefficient1.5
sphere_diameterDiameter of the sphere in animationsworld_defau...ength() / 3

Connectors

  • frame_a - Frame3D is the fundamental 3D connector used for 6DOF motion. Most components have one or several Frame

connectors that can be connected together (Frame3D)

  • frame_b - Frame3D is the fundamental 3D connector used for 6DOF motion. Most components have one or several Frame

connectors that can be connected together (Frame3D)

Variables

NameDescriptionUnits
n_a_in_bAxis n_a of frame_a expressed in frame_b coordinates (relative rotation applied to n_a)
r_rel_aPosition vector from origin of frame_a to origin of frame_b, resolved in frame_am

Behavior

Dict{MIME{Symbol("text/plain")}, String} with 1 entry: MIME type text/plain => "Error displaying result"

Source

dyad
"""
Universal cut-joint that constrains `frame_b` to two rotational degrees of
freedom (about axis `n_a` fixed in `frame_a` and axis `n_b` fixed in `frame_b`)
relative to `frame_a`, without introducing state variables for the relative
motion.

Unlike the standard `Universal` joint, this component does not define explicit
state variables for the relative motion; instead it imposes kinematic constraints
between `frame_a` and `frame_b` and evaluates the forces and torques required to
satisfy them (an "implicit" joint). As a consequence, the relative kinematics
between the two frames cannot be initialized.

It is intended for closed kinematic loops, where this formulation can simplify
the resulting non-linear system of equations. In systems without closed loops
the standard `Universal` joint should be used instead.

The two axes `n_a` and `n_b` must be different (ideally perpendicular). The
translational constraints may be released individually per axis (resolved in
`frame_a`) with `x_locked`, `y_locked`, `z_locked`.
"""
component UniversalConstraint
  extends PartialTwoFrames()
  extends Renderable(color = world_default_joint_color())
  # Visualization shape (sphere representing the cut-joint)
  shape = SphereShape(render = render, color = color, r = frame_a.r_0, R = transpose(frame_a.R), length = sphere_diameter, width = sphere_diameter, height = sphere_diameter)
  "If true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a x-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)"
  structural parameter x_locked::Boolean = true
  "If true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a y-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)"
  structural parameter y_locked::Boolean = true
  "If true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a z-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)"
  structural parameter z_locked::Boolean = true
  "Axis of revolute joint 1, resolved in frame_a"
  structural parameter n_a::Real[3] = [1, 0, 0]
  "Axis of revolute joint 2, resolved in frame_b"
  structural parameter n_b::Real[3] = [0, 1, 0]
  "Diameter of the sphere in animations"
  parameter sphere_diameter::Real = world_default_joint_length() / 3
  "Axis n_a of frame_a expressed in frame_b coordinates (relative rotation applied to n_a)"
  variable n_a_in_b::Real[3]
  "Position vector from origin of frame_a to origin of frame_b, resolved in frame_a"
  variable r_rel_a::Position[3]
relations
  r_rel_a = resolve2(frame_a.R, frame_b.r_0 - frame_a.r_0)
  n_a_in_b = resolve_relative(n_a, frame_a.R, frame_b.R)
  # Constraint equations concerning translations: lock the relative position
  # along each locked axis, otherwise the corresponding constraint force is zero
  if x_locked
    r_rel_a[1] = 0
  else
    frame_a.f[1] = 0
  end
  if y_locked
    r_rel_a[2] = 0
  else
    frame_a.f[2] = 0
  end
  if z_locked
    r_rel_a[3] = 0
  else
    frame_a.f[3] = 0
  end
  # Constraint equations concerning rotations: no constraint torque about either
  # revolute axis (free to rotate about both), and the two axes stay perpendicular
  dot(frame_a.tau, n_a) = 0
  dot(frame_b.tau, n_b) = 0
  dot(n_b, n_a_in_b) = 0
  # Force and torque balance between the two frames
  frame_a.f + resolve_relative(frame_b.f, frame_b.R, frame_a.R) = [0, 0, 0]
  frame_a.tau + resolve_relative(frame_b.tau, frame_b.R, frame_a.R) - cross(r_rel_a, frame_a.f) = [0, 0, 0]
metadata {
  "Dyad": {
    "icons": {"default": "dyad://MultibodyComponents/UniversalConstraint.svg"},
    "labels": [
      {
        "label": "$(instance)",
        "x": 500,
        "y": 200,
        "rot": 0,
        "attrs": {"font-size": "160"}
      }
    ]
  }
}
end
Flattened Source
dyad
"""
Universal cut-joint that constrains `frame_b` to two rotational degrees of
freedom (about axis `n_a` fixed in `frame_a` and axis `n_b` fixed in `frame_b`)
relative to `frame_a`, without introducing state variables for the relative
motion.

Unlike the standard `Universal` joint, this component does not define explicit
state variables for the relative motion; instead it imposes kinematic constraints
between `frame_a` and `frame_b` and evaluates the forces and torques required to
satisfy them (an "implicit" joint). As a consequence, the relative kinematics
between the two frames cannot be initialized.

It is intended for closed kinematic loops, where this formulation can simplify
the resulting non-linear system of equations. In systems without closed loops
the standard `Universal` joint should be used instead.

The two axes `n_a` and `n_b` must be different (ideally perpendicular). The
translational constraints may be released individually per axis (resolved in
`frame_a`) with `x_locked`, `y_locked`, `z_locked`.
"""
component UniversalConstraint
  frame_a = Frame3D() {
    "Dyad": {
      "placement": {
        "diagram": {"iconName": "default", "x1": -50, "y1": 450, "x2": 50, "y2": 550, "rot": 0}
      },
      "tags": []
    }
  }
  frame_b = Frame3D() {
    "Dyad": {
      "placement": {
        "diagram": {"iconName": "default", "x1": 950, "y1": 450, "x2": 1050, "y2": 550, "rot": 0}
      },
      "tags": []
    }
  }
  parameter render::Boolean = true
  parameter color::Real[4] = [0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0]
  parameter specular_coefficient::Real = 1.5
  # Visualization shape (sphere representing the cut-joint)
  shape = SphereShape(render = render, color = color, r = frame_a.r_0, R = transpose(frame_a.R), length = sphere_diameter, width = sphere_diameter, height = sphere_diameter)
  "If true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a x-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)"
  structural parameter x_locked::Boolean = true
  "If true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a y-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)"
  structural parameter y_locked::Boolean = true
  "If true, lock the relative translation along the frame_a z-direction (otherwise the constraint force in that direction is zero)"
  structural parameter z_locked::Boolean = true
  "Axis of revolute joint 1, resolved in frame_a"
  structural parameter n_a::Real[3] = [1, 0, 0]
  "Axis of revolute joint 2, resolved in frame_b"
  structural parameter n_b::Real[3] = [0, 1, 0]
  "Diameter of the sphere in animations"
  parameter sphere_diameter::Real = world_default_joint_length() / 3
  "Axis n_a of frame_a expressed in frame_b coordinates (relative rotation applied to n_a)"
  variable n_a_in_b::Real[3]
  "Position vector from origin of frame_a to origin of frame_b, resolved in frame_a"
  variable r_rel_a::Position[3]
relations
  r_rel_a = resolve2(frame_a.R, frame_b.r_0 - frame_a.r_0)
  n_a_in_b = resolve_relative(n_a, frame_a.R, frame_b.R)
  # Constraint equations concerning translations: lock the relative position
  # along each locked axis, otherwise the corresponding constraint force is zero
  if x_locked
    r_rel_a[1] = 0
  else
    frame_a.f[1] = 0
  end
  if y_locked
    r_rel_a[2] = 0
  else
    frame_a.f[2] = 0
  end
  if z_locked
    r_rel_a[3] = 0
  else
    frame_a.f[3] = 0
  end
  # Constraint equations concerning rotations: no constraint torque about either
  # revolute axis (free to rotate about both), and the two axes stay perpendicular
  dot(frame_a.tau, n_a) = 0
  dot(frame_b.tau, n_b) = 0
  dot(n_b, n_a_in_b) = 0
  # Force and torque balance between the two frames
  frame_a.f + resolve_relative(frame_b.f, frame_b.R, frame_a.R) = [0, 0, 0]
  frame_a.tau + resolve_relative(frame_b.tau, frame_b.R, frame_a.R) - cross(r_rel_a, frame_a.f) = [0, 0, 0]
metadata {
  "Dyad": {
    "icons": {"default": "dyad://MultibodyComponents/UniversalConstraint.svg"},
    "labels": [
      {
        "label": "$(instance)",
        "x": 500,
        "y": 200,
        "rot": 0,
        "attrs": {"font-size": "160"}
      }
    ]
  }
}
end


Test Cases

No test cases defined.

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