Configuration Design Method for In-pipe Robot Locomotion Mechanism

The configuration design of in-pipe robot locomotion mechanism has a significant impact on its motion performance. By analyzing the operation principle of adapting mechanism, the basic four-bar linkage is chosen as base unit to make topological combination, the two kinds of linkage combination including input of prismatic pair are presented, and further through kinematic chain regeneration, the specific kinematic chain atlas that meet the given design constraints can be synthesized. Finally, the application examples adopting the derivative new mechanisms are given. Which provides the systematic methods for in-pipe robot configuration design.