# Numerical Simulation of Bending Stiffness Analysis for Spring Linkage Applied to In-Pipe Robot

Authors: Jinwei Qiao; Na Liu
Journal: Mathematical Problems in Engineering
 (2020)

---

## Abstract

Spring linkage can be applied to in-pipe robots for connecting different modules together and can make it pass through elbows more easily. However, its stiffness cannot be set to be too hard or too soft. This paper tries to make a balance between the compressive stiffness and the bending stiffness of the spring. After a brief introduction to the construction mechanism and some assumptions, the mathematical representation of the spring bending stiffness was deduced based on the Kirchhoff theory which describes the spatial curve with displacement rather than time. Then, some simulations aiming at verifying the correctness of the deduced bending stiffness expression were carried out. Finally, the relationship between the two rigidities was found out, which helps to find a way to decrease the bending stiffness of spring while keeping its compressive stiffness strong enough.


---

## Body

## 1. Introduction

Many in-pipe robots have been widely applied to pipeline surveillance, detection, and maintenance [1–4]. In most cases, the in-pipe robot with only one module is always not sufficient enough to carry heavy payload or to pass through bent parts of a pipeline [5,6]. The linkage for connecting modules is incredibly necessary [7]. However, few concerns have been arisen. Reported linkages can be divided into two classes, the active and the passive [8, 9]. As the name suggests the active one can change direction actively [10–12]. It has steering mechanism that usually consists of motor, transmission system, and the executor. For example, in [13], the Explorer Robot adopts motor actuated gear transmission box as its linkage to transmit not only force and motion but also torque, developed by the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Similar steering mechanisms appeared in [14–16]. The steering mechanism adds the weight of the robot body and is always quite complicated, too large to be used in closed pipeline. In view of this point, the passive one is better [17]. As the typical one, the universal joint has obtained the widest applications [18] such as the robots described in [19, 20]. It is found that the use of traditional joints often leads to some inconvenience, such as the enlarged volume, raised weight, and blocked transportation vessel among modules. In order to get through the blocked transformation, a specially designed universal joint was processed in [21]. It is quite inconvenient.One alternative is the spring that was firstly introduced in [22]. With the addition of a ball in the updated version, it obtained the ability to pass though elbows. However, there would be pressure acting directly on the pipe wall, caused by bending connecting spring, as the in-pipe robot tries to pass through elbows. The pressure then turns to be resistant friction for moving robot. Therefore, the connecting spring cannot be designed to be too soft, which means large bending stiffness may push the two ends of spring against the pipeline hardly and create horrible friction [23, 24]. At the same time, the compressive stiffness of spring cannot be too small [25]. Effective transmitting of force and motion relies on strong compressive stiffness; otherwise, the transmitted force will be decreased and the transmitted motion will be delayed. It needs a balance.The numerical simulation is the main researching method for bending stiffness of spring linkage [26, 27]. There are many numerical methods in recent years, which mainly include finite element method (FEM) [28, 29], boundary element method (BEM) [30, 31], and meshless method [32–37]. The FEM is the most widely used numerical simulation method, but in the simulation of nonlinear problems, the meshless method and the BEM have more advantages than the finite element method [38, 39]. In this paper, the FEM is used to simulate bending stiffness of spring linkage.The rest of this paper is mainly organized as follows. Firstly, it introduces the basic concept of the linkage mechanism and explains its advantages. Then, the expression for spring stiffness is deduced, followed by some simulations and discussion. The conclusion obtained from this work is given at last.


## 2. Mechanism Description

As shown in Figure1, two separate modules of in-pipe robots with end screw threads are connected using a compressible round coil spring. The screw pitches l1 of the two modules share the same size, larger than that of the spring, termed as l2, while the bottom diameter of the screw thread and the inner diameter of the spring share the same size. Therefore, the spring pitch could be elongated when engaged with screw thread, so that the tensile force from lengthened spring will hold the screwed joint stably.Figure 1
Spring linkage mechanism.
(a)(b)Compared with the traditionally rigid gimbals, the spring linker has quite small bending stiffness and of course still has the ability to transfer force and motion from one module of the robot to another one. It has couple of advantages illustrated as follows:(a)
No Singular Points. The traditional rigid universal joint can be applied in transmitting force and torque from one direction to another direction in 3D space. Nevertheless, there are usually some dead points on the boundary of its reachable space that constrains the range of the transmission angle. This singularity can be avoided in flexible spring linkages transmitting.(b)
Hollow Conformation. This nature helps the robots find their ways to pass through pneumatic lines and electric and signal cables.(c)
Length Shortened. The length can be eliminated to a minimum size due to their high flexibility and compact assembly.(d)
Crash Cushion. Pipes always have cracks, corruption pots, impurity, and something else in it. Therefore, there must be a lot of stochastic crashes that occurred to moving robot perform a great harm to the machine mechanism. The linker spring relaxes these strikes and makes the motion of robot more smooth.(e)
Energy Storage. The linker spring works as an energy storage unit if the action of telescopic mechanism could be properly controlled. The energy storage function improved the energy utilization ratio and synthesis characteristic of the robot.With nominal diameter of 2R and helix angle of θ, the spring has the same circular cross sections from head to foot. r is the radius of the spring wire whose original length is l. Before analysis, we assume the following. Firstly, the material is well distributed so that its elastic modulus and shear modulus remain constant everywhere [6]. Secondly, the deformation along the axis of spring wire is ignored for its tiny influence. Thirdly, the gravity is neglected and no contact happens. Lastly, in the deforming process, the rigid cross section keeps perpendicular to the axis line of spring wire all the time. All the assumptions made herein are reasonable, further meeting the hypothesis of Kirchhoff theory [40, 41]. Additionally, note that the compressive stiffness of a straight spring is equal to its tensile stiffness, so only the compressive stiffness will be referred to in the following description.


## 3. Bending Stiffness

### 3.1. Coordinate System Built

In order to describe the deformation, some reference frames have been built on the vertical posed spring. As shown in Figure2, the general Descartes reference system O−ξηζ is located at the start point P0 at the bottom. Its ζ-axis is set to be parallel with the central axis of the spring and the ξ-axis set horizontally left forward. An arc coordinate is built up from the start point P0 so that every point along the axis of spring wire can be expressed as Ps, where s is the accumulated arc length. Translating O−ξηζ from start point P0 to point P yields local coordinate system P−ξηζ. The rotated P−ξηζ around ζ-axis by α is P−ξ′η′ζ, which is then rotated around ξ′-axis by the helix angle θ forming the principle coordinate system P−xyz of the circular cross section. As the cross section rotates around the tangential direction to produce a new system P−x′y′z′, the rotated angle is denoted as β. As a result, the three Euler angles α, θ, and β, which are all functions of the arc length s, together define the orientation of every cross section. Figure 3 shows the conversion process of different frames from beginning to end.Figure 2
Coordinate systems.Figure 3
Conversion process of different frames.


### 3.2. Initial State Description

Based on the three Euler angles, the curvature vectorws⟶ for a spatial curve has the following expression [42]:(1)w1s=dαsdssinθssinβs+dθsdscosβs,w2s=dαsdssinθscosβs−dθsdssinβs,w3s=dαsdssinθs+dβsds.For a spring shown in Figure1 with circular cross section, the β is zero [43]. Thus, the initial state of every piece of cross sections can be simplified to(2)w10=dθ0ds=θ0′=0,w20=dα0dssinθ0=α0′sinθ0,w30=dα0dscosθ0+dβ0ds=α0′cosθ0,in which not only dβ0/ds=0, but also β0=0. That is because the relative torsion angle and its derivative are both equal to zero as the spring stays free. Moreover, according to the parameters defined above, we have the relation shown as(3)dα0ds=2π2πR/cosθ0=cosθ0R.


### 3.3. Applied Moment Description

Figure4 shows the loading condition of the linkage spring as the in-pipe robot is moving inside elbows. Two ends of the connecting spring would be under the action of two equally opposite moments M, whose direction is along the ξ-axis of the general reference system O−ξηζ.Figure 4
Spring under bending moment.In order to transfer the moment from the general coordinate system to the principle one, the relationship between these two is written down according to their definitions illustrated above:(4)I⟶J⟶K⟶=cosα−sinαcosθsinαsinθsinαcosθcosα−cosαsinθ0sinθcosθi⟶j⟶k⟶,in which, I⟶J⟶K⟶ and i⟶j⟶k⟶ are the coordinate basis vectors of general and principle reference systems, respectively [44]. Thus, the acting moment M in ξ-axis direction can be transmitted to(5)MI⟶=M1i⟶+M2j⟶+M3k⟶=Mcosαi⟶−sinαcosθj⟶+sinαsinθk⟶.


### 3.4. Bent Spring Description

Under the action of momentM, the connecting spring gets bent around ξ-axis and two end faces turn to form an included angle γ. It is worth noticing that the helix angle θ cannot remain as a constant any more due to the flexural deformation of the spring. As a result, the curvature vector of the bent spring can be expressed under the principle coordinate system as(6)w⟶=w1i⟶+w2j⟶+w3k⟶=θ′i⟶+γ′I⟶+α′K⟶.Substituting (4) into (6) yields(7)w⟶=θ′+γ′cosαi⟶+α′sinθ−γ′cosθsinαj⟶+α′cosθ+γ′sinθsinαk⟶.


### 3.5. Solution

According to the Kirchhoff equation, for each piece of cross sections, we have(8)M1=EIxw1−w10,M2=EIyw2−w20,M3=GIzw3−w30,in which, E and G are the elastic modulus and shear modulus of the spring material, respectively. Ix and Iy are two inertia moments of the related cross section around x- and y-axis, while Iz is its polar moment of inertia around z-axis. For the spring with circular cross sections, 2Ix = 2Iy = Iz = πr4/2.By substituting (2), (5), and (7) into (8) simultaneously, the following holds:(9)Mcosα=EIxθ′+γ′cosα−Msinαcosθ=EIxα′sinθ−γ′cosθsinα−α0′sinθ0,Msinαsinθ=2GIxα′cosθ+γ′sinθsinα−α0′cosθ0.By combining the last two equations in (9), the following relation holds:(10)MEIxsinαcosθcosθ0+M2GIxsinαsinθsinθ0=α′sinθ0−θ+γ′sinαcosθ−θ0.Then, we solve (10) by recurring to (3) and taking θ=θ0+Δθ into consideration. The result is(11)MEIx+M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0+Δθsinθ0cosθ0=−α′Δθsinα+γ′,in which, the second and higher order small quality are both neglected.On the other hand, the substitution ofθ=θ0+Δθ into the first equation of (9) results in(12)dΔθ=MEIx−γ′cosαdαdsdα.That is,(13)−α′sinαΔθ=γ′−MEIx.Taking (13) back into (11) leads to(14)2MEIx+M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0+Δθsinθ0cosθ0=2γ′.Multiplied by ds on the two sides, (14) takes integration along the whole spring wire:(15)MEIx+12M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0l+12M2GIx−MEIxsinθ0cosθ0∫lΔθds∫lγ′ds,in which, l is the whole length of the spring coil. It can be expressed as(16)l=2nπRcosθ.Remember that the two ends of the spring are both fixed to the robot body, which means no variation or variation rate of the Euler angles has happened at those sections. Therefore, the integration of the second item laid on the left side of the equal sign in (15) equals to zero. Besides, the integration on the right hand is the sum of rotation of all the pieces of the cross sections, which is γ. Thus,(17)MEIx+12M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0l=γ.In this work, we define the bending stiffnessKb of connecting spring as the ratio of the applied moment M at its two ends to the resulting rotation angle γ. By taking Ix=πr4/4 into consideration, the expression of result is(18)Kb=Mγ=EGπr44G+E−2Gsin2θ0l.By making use of (20) and (16), the bending stiffness of the connecting spring expressed in (18) can be rewritten down as(19)Kb=Er4cosθ042+νsin2θ0nR,in which the following relation was applied:(20)EG=21+ν.It can be seen from (18) that the bending stiffness Kb is an absolutely nonlinear function, in terms of material and construction parameters. Meanwhile, it indicates that the bending stiffness Kb of spring decreases with the raised initial helix angle or the elongated spring wire but increases as the radius of the spring wire grows thicker.In particular, forθ0=π/2, spring changes to straight rod with bending stiffness of(21)Kbθ0=π/2=2EIx2+νl.The result shown in (21) is similar to but more accurate than the traditional one expressed as Kbθ0=π/2=EIx/l.It is worth remembering that the compressive stiffness of a spring has the definition [36](22)K=Gr416nR3.


## 3.1. Coordinate System Built

In order to describe the deformation, some reference frames have been built on the vertical posed spring. As shown in Figure2, the general Descartes reference system O−ξηζ is located at the start point P0 at the bottom. Its ζ-axis is set to be parallel with the central axis of the spring and the ξ-axis set horizontally left forward. An arc coordinate is built up from the start point P0 so that every point along the axis of spring wire can be expressed as Ps, where s is the accumulated arc length. Translating O−ξηζ from start point P0 to point P yields local coordinate system P−ξηζ. The rotated P−ξηζ around ζ-axis by α is P−ξ′η′ζ, which is then rotated around ξ′-axis by the helix angle θ forming the principle coordinate system P−xyz of the circular cross section. As the cross section rotates around the tangential direction to produce a new system P−x′y′z′, the rotated angle is denoted as β. As a result, the three Euler angles α, θ, and β, which are all functions of the arc length s, together define the orientation of every cross section. Figure 3 shows the conversion process of different frames from beginning to end.Figure 2
Coordinate systems.Figure 3
Conversion process of different frames.


## 3.2. Initial State Description

Based on the three Euler angles, the curvature vectorws⟶ for a spatial curve has the following expression [42]:(1)w1s=dαsdssinθssinβs+dθsdscosβs,w2s=dαsdssinθscosβs−dθsdssinβs,w3s=dαsdssinθs+dβsds.For a spring shown in Figure1 with circular cross section, the β is zero [43]. Thus, the initial state of every piece of cross sections can be simplified to(2)w10=dθ0ds=θ0′=0,w20=dα0dssinθ0=α0′sinθ0,w30=dα0dscosθ0+dβ0ds=α0′cosθ0,in which not only dβ0/ds=0, but also β0=0. That is because the relative torsion angle and its derivative are both equal to zero as the spring stays free. Moreover, according to the parameters defined above, we have the relation shown as(3)dα0ds=2π2πR/cosθ0=cosθ0R.


## 3.3. Applied Moment Description

Figure4 shows the loading condition of the linkage spring as the in-pipe robot is moving inside elbows. Two ends of the connecting spring would be under the action of two equally opposite moments M, whose direction is along the ξ-axis of the general reference system O−ξηζ.Figure 4
Spring under bending moment.In order to transfer the moment from the general coordinate system to the principle one, the relationship between these two is written down according to their definitions illustrated above:(4)I⟶J⟶K⟶=cosα−sinαcosθsinαsinθsinαcosθcosα−cosαsinθ0sinθcosθi⟶j⟶k⟶,in which, I⟶J⟶K⟶ and i⟶j⟶k⟶ are the coordinate basis vectors of general and principle reference systems, respectively [44]. Thus, the acting moment M in ξ-axis direction can be transmitted to(5)MI⟶=M1i⟶+M2j⟶+M3k⟶=Mcosαi⟶−sinαcosθj⟶+sinαsinθk⟶.


## 3.4. Bent Spring Description

Under the action of momentM, the connecting spring gets bent around ξ-axis and two end faces turn to form an included angle γ. It is worth noticing that the helix angle θ cannot remain as a constant any more due to the flexural deformation of the spring. As a result, the curvature vector of the bent spring can be expressed under the principle coordinate system as(6)w⟶=w1i⟶+w2j⟶+w3k⟶=θ′i⟶+γ′I⟶+α′K⟶.Substituting (4) into (6) yields(7)w⟶=θ′+γ′cosαi⟶+α′sinθ−γ′cosθsinαj⟶+α′cosθ+γ′sinθsinαk⟶.


## 3.5. Solution

According to the Kirchhoff equation, for each piece of cross sections, we have(8)M1=EIxw1−w10,M2=EIyw2−w20,M3=GIzw3−w30,in which, E and G are the elastic modulus and shear modulus of the spring material, respectively. Ix and Iy are two inertia moments of the related cross section around x- and y-axis, while Iz is its polar moment of inertia around z-axis. For the spring with circular cross sections, 2Ix = 2Iy = Iz = πr4/2.By substituting (2), (5), and (7) into (8) simultaneously, the following holds:(9)Mcosα=EIxθ′+γ′cosα−Msinαcosθ=EIxα′sinθ−γ′cosθsinα−α0′sinθ0,Msinαsinθ=2GIxα′cosθ+γ′sinθsinα−α0′cosθ0.By combining the last two equations in (9), the following relation holds:(10)MEIxsinαcosθcosθ0+M2GIxsinαsinθsinθ0=α′sinθ0−θ+γ′sinαcosθ−θ0.Then, we solve (10) by recurring to (3) and taking θ=θ0+Δθ into consideration. The result is(11)MEIx+M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0+Δθsinθ0cosθ0=−α′Δθsinα+γ′,in which, the second and higher order small quality are both neglected.On the other hand, the substitution ofθ=θ0+Δθ into the first equation of (9) results in(12)dΔθ=MEIx−γ′cosαdαdsdα.That is,(13)−α′sinαΔθ=γ′−MEIx.Taking (13) back into (11) leads to(14)2MEIx+M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0+Δθsinθ0cosθ0=2γ′.Multiplied by ds on the two sides, (14) takes integration along the whole spring wire:(15)MEIx+12M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0l+12M2GIx−MEIxsinθ0cosθ0∫lΔθds∫lγ′ds,in which, l is the whole length of the spring coil. It can be expressed as(16)l=2nπRcosθ.Remember that the two ends of the spring are both fixed to the robot body, which means no variation or variation rate of the Euler angles has happened at those sections. Therefore, the integration of the second item laid on the left side of the equal sign in (15) equals to zero. Besides, the integration on the right hand is the sum of rotation of all the pieces of the cross sections, which is γ. Thus,(17)MEIx+12M2GIx−MEIxsin2θ0l=γ.In this work, we define the bending stiffnessKb of connecting spring as the ratio of the applied moment M at its two ends to the resulting rotation angle γ. By taking Ix=πr4/4 into consideration, the expression of result is(18)Kb=Mγ=EGπr44G+E−2Gsin2θ0l.By making use of (20) and (16), the bending stiffness of the connecting spring expressed in (18) can be rewritten down as(19)Kb=Er4cosθ042+νsin2θ0nR,in which the following relation was applied:(20)EG=21+ν.It can be seen from (18) that the bending stiffness Kb is an absolutely nonlinear function, in terms of material and construction parameters. Meanwhile, it indicates that the bending stiffness Kb of spring decreases with the raised initial helix angle or the elongated spring wire but increases as the radius of the spring wire grows thicker.In particular, forθ0=π/2, spring changes to straight rod with bending stiffness of(21)Kbθ0=π/2=2EIx2+νl.The result shown in (21) is similar to but more accurate than the traditional one expressed as Kbθ0=π/2=EIx/l.It is worth remembering that the compressive stiffness of a spring has the definition [36](22)K=Gr416nR3.


## 4. Simulation and Verification

It can be seen from (19) that the bending stiffness is a function of n, R, r, and θ. In order to verify its rightness and find out its scope of application, this section makes some simulations that were performed using the following steps:Step 1: select a set of parameters as an example to make model in SolidWorksStep 2: import the model from SolidWorks into Workbench to get meshed and loadedStep 3: make simulation on compressive stiffness and then compare the result with that calculated in (22) to ensure the validity of the simulation itselfStep 4: make simulation on bending stiffness and compare its result with that calculated in (19) to verify the correctness of (19)Step 5: repeat operation from step 1 to step 4 with varying construction parametersn, R, r, and θ, in order to find out its applicable scope


### 4.1. Data Selection

The parameter values used for the example simulation are listed in Table1.Table 1
Spring structural parameter.
ItemValueElastic modulus (EPa)2 × 1011Poisson ratioν0.3Shear modulus (GPa)0.77 × 1011Radius of spring wirer (mm)0.5Normal radius of springR (mm)5Active coils numbern8Pitchl2 (mm)10Spring lengthL (mm)80Length of spring wirel (mm)263.753Helix angleθ0 (deg)17.66


### 4.2. Simulation Performance

Based on the data listed in Table1, a modified spring model was made as shown in Figure 5 which has two extra solid connectors for the sake of easy loading. Then, the model was imported from SolidWorks into Workbench for next simulation.Figure 5
Spring deformation under compression.As verification of the simulation itself, the imported spring model was firstly simulated on compressive stiffness and then on bending stiffness. Figure5 shows the result of spring under compressive force of 10 N that was acting along the spring axial. The result is 8.8581 mm. Thus, the compressive stiffness of the spring is 1.13 N/mm, while the result of (22) is 1.20 N/mm. The similarity of the two results successfully ensured the validity of simulation.Once the validity of simulation got verified by the comparison of calculation and simulation results, we began to make bending simulation. One of the results is shown in Figure6, with two moments of 10 Nmm acting in the way shown in Figure 4. In order to find out the rotated angle of the end face, we made use of the maximum and minimum displacement in the axial direction. They are 1.8787 mm and −1.879 mm, respectively, in Figure 6.Figure 6
Spring deformation under bending moment.By considering the geometry relationship shown in Figure7, the following equation holds:(23)minh1=maxh2=tanγ,in which, h1 + h2 is the spring outside diameter, equal to 2(R + r). As a result, the rotated angle γ is 0.329, and then the bending rigidity is 30.379 Nmm/rad. On the other hand, the corresponding result can be obtained by substituting all needed values shown in Table 1 into (19). It is 31.2 Nmm/rad, very close to that of simulation result.Figure 7
Geometry relation betweenγ and two maximum deformation values.


## 4.1. Data Selection

The parameter values used for the example simulation are listed in Table1.Table 1
Spring structural parameter.
ItemValueElastic modulus (EPa)2 × 1011Poisson ratioν0.3Shear modulus (GPa)0.77 × 1011Radius of spring wirer (mm)0.5Normal radius of springR (mm)5Active coils numbern8Pitchl2 (mm)10Spring lengthL (mm)80Length of spring wirel (mm)263.753Helix angleθ0 (deg)17.66


## 4.2. Simulation Performance

Based on the data listed in Table1, a modified spring model was made as shown in Figure 5 which has two extra solid connectors for the sake of easy loading. Then, the model was imported from SolidWorks into Workbench for next simulation.Figure 5
Spring deformation under compression.As verification of the simulation itself, the imported spring model was firstly simulated on compressive stiffness and then on bending stiffness. Figure5 shows the result of spring under compressive force of 10 N that was acting along the spring axial. The result is 8.8581 mm. Thus, the compressive stiffness of the spring is 1.13 N/mm, while the result of (22) is 1.20 N/mm. The similarity of the two results successfully ensured the validity of simulation.Once the validity of simulation got verified by the comparison of calculation and simulation results, we began to make bending simulation. One of the results is shown in Figure6, with two moments of 10 Nmm acting in the way shown in Figure 4. In order to find out the rotated angle of the end face, we made use of the maximum and minimum displacement in the axial direction. They are 1.8787 mm and −1.879 mm, respectively, in Figure 6.Figure 6
Spring deformation under bending moment.By considering the geometry relationship shown in Figure7, the following equation holds:(23)minh1=maxh2=tanγ,in which, h1 + h2 is the spring outside diameter, equal to 2(R + r). As a result, the rotated angle γ is 0.329, and then the bending rigidity is 30.379 Nmm/rad. On the other hand, the corresponding result can be obtained by substituting all needed values shown in Table 1 into (19). It is 31.2 Nmm/rad, very close to that of simulation result.Figure 7
Geometry relation betweenγ and two maximum deformation values.


## 5. Results and Discussion

After a demonstrative simulation, the parameters that appeared in (19) were all changed to reconstruct the spring and redo the simulation, one at a time. Firstly, the active coils number n was chosen to be changed, from 4 to 18. Figure 8 shows the results of both simulation result represented by star and the calculation result represented by line.Figure 8
Influence of active coils numbern (—: calculated; ∗: simulated).
(a)(b)It can be seen from Figure8 that both the compressive and bending rigidities have their calculated and simulated results staying close to each other after n grows larger than 4. The active coils number n provides an inverse proportion effect on two rigidities.The nominal radiusR was the second one to be changed from 6 mm to 12 mm. The results shown in Figure 9 also indicate an inverse effect of normal radius R on rigidities.Figure 9
Influence of nominal radiusR (—: calculated; ∗: simulated).
(a)(b)The effect of coil radius is positive, according to the results of Figure10. In particular, the square symbol “□” describes the results of Figures 5 and 6.Figure 10
Influence of coil radiusr (—: calculated; ∗: simulated).
(a)(b)Notice that there is no helix angleθ0 involved in the expression of compressive rigidity shown in (22). This is a big problem. However, the simulation result of spring bending rigidity indeed changes with varying helix angles as shown in Figure 11(a), totally different from the horizontal line representing the calculation result. Figure 11(b) shows that the calculation and simulation results meet at the helix angle of 7°, although diverged quickly before and after. Therefore, we can obtain a conclusion here that the expression used for calculation spring bending rigidity is of the best utility when helix angle θ0 is set around 7.Figure 11
Influence of helix angleθ0 (—: calculated; ∗: simulated).
(a)(b)


## 6. Compression and Bending Stiffness Balancing

All simulations made above have verified the correctness of the deduced bending expression shown in (19). In order to find out the relationship between K and Kb, we substitute (22) into (18), and the result is(24)Kb=K81+νcosθ0R22+νsin2θ0.It seems that to modify the helix angle θ0 may be an effective way to change Kb while leaving K unchanged, because there is no helix angle θ0 involved in K. However, the results shown in Figure 11 denied the possibility of this alternation. Besides the material parameter ν, there is only the nominal radius R left. Therefore, to modify R is an effective way to adjust Kb while keeping the K unchanged.All the notations mentioned above are listed in Table2, as well as their meanings.Table 2
Character definition table.
NotationMeaningEMaterial elastic modulusGMaterial shear modulusH1, h2The only two components of the outer diameter, corresponding to the mix and max deformation in each cross sectioni⟶j⟶k⟶Coordinate basis vectors of principle reference systemsI⟶J⟶K⟶Coordinate basis vectors of general reference systemsIx, Iy, IzInertia moment around x-, y-, and z-axisKSpring compression stiffnessKbSpring bending stiffnessLSpring wire lengthl1Screw pitch of robot modulel2Screw pitch of springMActing momentO−ξηζGeneral Descartes reference systemP0Start point at bottom of springPsPoint along the axis of spring wireP−xyzPrinciple coordinate systemP−ξηζLocal coordinate systemRSpring wire radiusRSpring nominal radiusSAccumulated arc lengthws⟶=w1s,w2s,w3sCurvature vectorΑRotation angle aboutζ-axisΒRotation angle of the cross section around the tangential directionΓIncluded angleυPoisson ratioΘHelix angleθ0Initial value ofθ


## 7. Experiments

For in-pipe robots, those turning a corner, an elastic connector is always required [45]. In order to achieve effective power transmission from one module to another, the spring compression stiffness should be large enough. Meanwhile, the bending elastic connector must produce normal pressure against the inner pipe wall when passing through a corner. The normal pressure will generate friction that hinders the forward movement of in-pipe robot. The above calculation and simulation results tell us that the balance between compression stiffness and bending stiffness could be achieved, according to (24).In this part, we applied some springs with different shape parameters to assemble the same robot. Then we make velocity test when passing through a bending pipe. The maximum velocity will express the best combination of spring shape parameters and also the best balance between compression and bending stiffness. Figure12 shows the basic components of an in-pipe robot whose elastic connector can move smoothly through the bent pipe thanks to the spring. Figure 13 shows the experiment platform for the velocity test. It has in-pipe robot drive circuit and control algorithm for driving, as well as bent pipe for running environment.Figure 12
In-pipe robot with elastic connector.Figure 13
Experiment equipment for the robot velocity test.During the experiment process, we kept spring material and normal radius constant,R = 10 mm, and changed the wire radius, helix angle, and active coil number one by one.It can be seen from the experiment results that the spring compression and bending stiffness both increase dramatically with bigger coil radius. The maximum speed comes at the 6th parameter set in Table 3. The bending passing velocity increased initially with bigger K; however, it got slower with lasting increasing K. It indicates the same trends with calculation and simulation result.Table 3
Experiment results.
No.Coil radiusr (mm)nHelix angleθ0 (rad)Compression stiffnessK (N/m)Bending stiffnessKb (N/m)Velocity (mm/s)10.560.12012593.332320.560.22012544.114830.560.32012464.722141100.1192524844.732451100.2192524365.297061100.3192523575.685271.5140.1696189822.650081.5140.2696188083.162291.5140.3696185253.6225


## 8. Conclusions

In order to improve the characteristic of connecting spring applied to in-pipe robot, a balance is obtained between the compressive stiffness and the bending stiffness of the spring:(1)
The detail of the spring linkage mechanism was introduced at first. It was simple, reliable, and really suitable for the application in in-pipe robot.(2)
In order to get a higher bending passing speed, the spring linkage should be neither too soft nor too hard. The compression and bending rigidity need an optimization design.(3)
The expression for spring bending rigidity calculation was deduced. Combining the simulation and experiment results, we found the suitable method to optimize the spring. The most sensitive parameter was the helix angleθ0.



---

*Source: 6701696-2020-08-27.xml*