I am stuck at a problem of solving DH parameters for a simple test mechanism. I know that the given mechanism is a structure but just for pure academic purposes assume that it's a real system. I only want to know the correct way to solve a system with DH parameters, when there is only one active joint and more than one passive joints that depend totally on the command of the actuated joint.
-- Joints (All joints are Revolute): J1 (Actuated by some motor) J2 (Passive) J3 (Passive)
-- Links: L1,L2 (Rigid Links) The link 1 and link 2 are not directly connected at joint J2 but there is a small link that connects link L1 with joint J2. It is not visible in top view but it allows the system to work in real life. But please just ignore it for this example!
-- The images are the top view with the z axis for each joint coming out of the paper.
-- Assuming clockwise rotation as positive for this problem.
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[edit]I realize that the transformations below are wrong and not done by following the DH convention. I should have but instead I followed the standard method. But once I apply DH coordinate axis, I should use the DH method. But this still does not change the real question in the last picture. Thank you
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@Chuck:
Problem: J1 is the only active joint in the system. j2 and J3 are passive joints. I want to find the kinematic equations of the system(basically, I want to find the Joint angle of J3(Pitch) as a function of Joint angle of J1). I have shown the DH coordinate axis in the first picture. I can only measure J1 angle with an encoder but J2 and J3 are passive, so I have to find their relation with J1 to get their value for the transformation matrix. Since the choice of first joints x axis is arbitrary in DH method, I chose x0 axis parallel to link L2 and then found theta2 as a function of theta1. I want to know, is this the correct way to find the passive joints angle as a function of an active joint?
If my solution of joint paramter Theta2 = 180 - Theta1 is not correct, then how would you find the joint parameter Theta2 as a function of Theta1, since you can not measure Theta2(for it is passive), you can only find Theta2 mathematically and its very important to find Theta2 to get the transformation matrix from J3 coordinate system to J1 coordinate system(The goal)...
I expect the system to move like this when the Joint 1 motor is actuated in clockwise direction
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EDIT
Hey chuck, As the following sketch shows, the motor housing is fixed on the box, it rotates with the same angle as the box about joint J4. The blue dot in the previous image is the motor axis of rotation which I called J1 because it links the motor shaft with the link L12.
If the motor shaft is rotated anti-clockwise by an angle Pfi, it makes the whole box move with it but not with the same angle. I have to find the box rotation about joint J4 as a result of this rotation of motor shaft about J1 by Phi..
As you explained, I can solve the 4 bar mechanism but how can this motors angle of rotation be related to the 4 bar mechasim's four angles Theta12,Theta23,Theta34 and Theta41 ?
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After anti clockwise rotation..
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