Kinematics analysis of a high power joint mechinasm imitating locust leg structure

We have been working on high power joint mechanism which is expected to improve robot functionality and the activities in various working environment. In general, the performance of joint mechanisms depends on actuators performance, and the power mass ratio of actuators is almost constant in the same type motors. Locusts whose length is about 50mm have powerful hind-leg to jump five times high (about 250mm) at the peak. The aim in this research is to develop high power joint mechanism by mimicking leg mechanism of locusts. Proposed high power joint mechanism consists of a closed link structure with 4 links, a spring and 2 linear slide actuators. This paper descries how to generate high power in the joint mechanism, and shows the characteristic of the joint mechanism by the analysis.