Denavit-Hartenberg Parameterization of Euler Angles

Abstract

Euler angles describe rotations of a rigid body in three-dimensional Cartesian space, as can be obtained by, say, a spherical joint. The rotation carried out by a spherical joint can also be expressed by using three intersecting revolute joints that can be described using the popular Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) parameters. However, the motions of these revolute joints do not necessarily correspond to any set of the Euler angles. This paper attempts to correlate the Euler angles and DH parameters by introducing a concept of DH parameterization of Euler angels. A systematic approach is presented in order to obtain the DH parameters for any Euler angles set. This gives rise to the concept of Euler-angle-joints (EAJs), which provide rotations equivalent to a particular set of Euler angles. Such EAJs can be conveniently used for the modeling of multibody systems having multiple-degrees-of-freedom joints.