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Kinematics Analysis of A Robotic Zipper Prototype for Miniaturization

Mohamad Zairi Baharom 1,2, Frank Delbressine 1, and Loe Feijs 1
1. Designed Intelligence Group, Department of Industrial Design, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven, Netherlands
2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26600 UMP Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract—This paper presents the mechanism and kinematics analysis of a robotic zipper prototype. This generic version of the robotic zipper is dedicated to automatically open and close the zipper which could be beneficial to elderly, people with physical disability, upper limb reduction deficiencies (ULRD), visual impairment, or developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The mechanism and kinematic analysis were conducted based on the working prototype build using Meccano. Results from this study are used to select the DC motor for the miniature model of this robotic zipper. Finally, the analysis managed to define the desired amount of DC motor torque and power for the miniature model and drive the robotic zipper to function as an assistive device for zipping or unzipping process. 
 
Index Terms—kinematics, robotic zipper, miniaturization, elderly, physical disability

Cite: Mohamad Zairi Baharom, Frank Delbressine, and Loe Feijs, "Kinematics Analysis of A Robotic Zipper Prototype for Miniaturization," International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 305-310, October 2016. DOI: 10.18178/ijmerr.5.4.305-310