Design and implementation of robot serial integrated rotary joint with safety compliance

In order to guarantee safety and stability during physical human-robot-interaction (pHRI) in the occasion of service or industrial operation, a serial integrated rotary joint with the characteristics of passive and active compliance is proposed. Passive compliance is achieved by a designed elastic element, such that the compliant joint may minimize large force which occurs during accidental impacts and, further, may offer more accurate and stable force control and a capacity for energy storage. Meanwhile, the modeling of the compliant joint is comprehensively analyzed, including the effect of the motor model on the overall control system. In order to realize the active compliance, a new method of impedance control is proposed. On the basis of PD control, a more compliant impedance controller is introduced. Experimental results show that the serial integrated rotary joint can provide more effective safety compliance during physical interaction, which has also been well applied in our designed massage robot and rehabilitation robot.