A Gauge-Invariant Formulation for Constrained Mechanical Systems Using Square-Root Factorization and Unitary Transformation

Abstract

A gauge-invariant formulation for deriving the dynamic equations of constrained multibody systems in terms of (reduced) quasivelocities is presented. This formulation does not require any weighting matrix to deal with the gauge-invariance problem when both translational and rotational components are involved in the generalized coordinates or in the constraint equations. Moreover, in this formulation the equations of motion are decoupled from those of constrained force, and each system has its own independent input. This allows the possibility to develop a simple force control action that is totally independent from the motion control action facilitating a hybrid force/motion control. Tracking force/motion control of constrained multibody systems based on a combination of feedbacks on the vectors of the quasivelocities and the configuration-variables are presented.