Yan Yang, Jun Shi, Zhijie Liu and Shuangyin Liu
This paper aims to study the boundary disturbance rejection control design for a flexible Timoshenko robot arm to diminish external disturbances and achieve desired angle…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the boundary disturbance rejection control design for a flexible Timoshenko robot arm to diminish external disturbances and achieve desired angle tracking, with system vibration and elastic deformation considered.
Design/methodology/approach
This study introduces disturbance observer and disturbance rejection mechanism into the boundary control design for flexible Timoshenko robot arm systems. The uniform bounded stability of controlled systems is proved via Lyapunov analysis without any simplification of the infinite-dimensional system dynamics.
Findings
The proposed boundary disturbance rejection control scheme can effectively suppress vibrations and shear deformations, achieve the required angular positioning and reject external disturbances. Numerical simulations developed by the finite difference method are adapted to demonstrate the validity of the designed controller.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is to design boundary disturbance rejection control to suppress vibrations and shear deformations for the flexible Timoshenko robot arm, thereby improving the performance and control accuracy of the system.
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Jinzhou Li, Jie Ma, Yujie Hu, Li Zhang, Zhijie Liu and Shiying Sun
This study aims to tackle control challenges in soft robots by proposing a visually-guided reinforcement learning approach. Precise tip trajectory tracking is achieved for a soft…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to tackle control challenges in soft robots by proposing a visually-guided reinforcement learning approach. Precise tip trajectory tracking is achieved for a soft arm manipulator.
Design/methodology/approach
A closed-loop control strategy uses deep learning-powered perception and model-free reinforcement learning. Visual feedback detects the arm’s tip while efficient policy search is conducted via interactive sample collection.
Findings
Physical experiments demonstrate a soft arm successfully transporting objects by learning coordinated actuation policies guided by visual observations, without analytical models.
Research limitations/implications
Constraints potentially include simulator gaps and dynamical variations. Future work will focus on enhancing adaptation capabilities.
Practical implications
By eliminating assumptions on precise analytical models or instrumentation requirements, the proposed data-driven framework offers a practical solution for real-world control challenges in soft systems.
Originality/value
This research provides an effective methodology integrating robust machine perception and learning for intelligent autonomous control of soft robots with complex morphologies.
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Mingge Li, Zhongjun Yin, Xiaoming Huang, Jie Ma and Zhijie Liu
The purpose of this paper is to propose a casting process for the production of double-chamber soft fingers, which avoids the problems of air leakage and fracture caused by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a casting process for the production of double-chamber soft fingers, which avoids the problems of air leakage and fracture caused by multistep casting. This proposed method facilitates the simultaneous casting of the inflation chamber and the jamming chamber.
Design/methodology/approach
An integrated molding technology based on the lost wax casting method is proposed for the manufacture of double-chamber soft fingers. The solid wax core is assembled with the mold, and then liquid silicone rubber is injected into it. After cooling and solidification, the mold is stripped off and heated in boiling water, so that the solid wax core melts and precipitates, and the integrated soft finger is obtained.
Findings
The performance and fatigue tests of the soft fingers produced by the proposed method have been carried out. The results show that the manufacturing method can significantly improve the fatigue resistance and stability of the soft fingers, while also avoiding the problems such as air leakage and cracking.
Originality/value
The improvement of the previous multistep casting method of soft fingers is proposed, and the integrated molding manufacturing method is proposed to avoid the problems caused by secondary bonding.
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Zhijie Tang, Qian Luo, Xinnan Leng, Pinglong Liu and Jun Luo
The purpose of this study is to design a spherical sensor which can detect the surge from various directions to lay the foundation of the research of surge.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to design a spherical sensor which can detect the surge from various directions to lay the foundation of the research of surge.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper designed a spherical sensor to detect the impact force generated by the surge. To realize the depth and stability control of the shallow underwater vehicles, it is necessary to do research and analysis on the surge in shallow waters. The spherical sensor with novel structure was skillfully composed of 24 cantilever beam pressure-type strain sensors. It is powerful to detect the surge from various directions simultaneously.
Findings
It is proved that the spherical sensor can accurately collect the surge data from multiple directions through experiments, which laid the foundation of the anti-surge study.
Research limitations/implications
Surge is not a new topic. But there is no effective tool to detect surge. The research of this paper is an attempt to provide an available tool to analyze surge. The research limitation is that the pool where the spherical sensor is installed is a little small. In the future, a bigger pool can be used.
Practical implications
A deep and comprehensive analysis of surge can be conducted according to the surge data detected by the spherical sensor to achieve the essential features of surge. This lays the foundation for the accurate control of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), especially fixed depth and stability control.
Social implications
As the control accuracy of AUVs increases, the AUVs can perform much more difficult tasks such as port monitoring, underwater salvaging, underwater pipeline maintenance and so on. These can be applied in commercial applications or in the national defense of many countries.
Originality/value
A novel spherical sensor using 24 cantilever beam pressure-type strain sensors to detect the surge was designed. The spherical sensor was installed in the physical surge simulator to collect surge data and conduct an analysis of the collected data.
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Xinggui Zhang, Zhibin Lin, Xiao Chen, Zhijie Zhang and David Ming Liu
Prior studies have consistently shown that leader psychological capital is beneficial for leader–member exchange (LMX) and followers’ outcomes. In this study, the authors…
Abstract
Purpose
Prior studies have consistently shown that leader psychological capital is beneficial for leader–member exchange (LMX) and followers’ outcomes. In this study, the authors challenge this consensus; they propose that a leader with high-level psychological capital may decrease LMX and promote followers’ turnover intention when encountering a follower with low-level psychological capital. Only congruent psychological capital in leader–follower dyads increases LMX and decreases turnover intention.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-wave survey was designed to collect data from a sample of 207 leader–follower dyads in the service industries of China. Polynomial regression combined with the response surface analysis was used to test the hypotheses.
Findings
(1) LMX increased when the levels of psychological capital between leaders and followers were congruent, but LMX suffered when they were not congruent (e.g. leaders’ psychological capital was higher than followers’ or otherwise); (2) in the conditions of psychological capital congruence, LMX was higher when a leader’s and a follower’s psychological capital were both high than low; (3) LMX mediated the relationship between psychological capital congruence and followers’ turnover intention.
Originality/value
These findings provide a novel perspective on understanding of the function of psychological capital and its implications for turnover management.
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Zhifeng Liu, Junyuan Guo, Yumo Wang, Dong Xiangmin, Yue Wu, Zhijie Yan and Gong Jinlong
This paper aims to propose a method for finding the maximum rotational speed of an inclined turntable at which the stability of the bearing oil film is maintained.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a method for finding the maximum rotational speed of an inclined turntable at which the stability of the bearing oil film is maintained.
Design/methodology/approach
The finite difference method was used to solve the Reynolds equation. Variation of bearing capacity of a tilted hydrostatic turret over time was determined. The combined effect of tilt and rotational speed of the turret on the oil film stability was also analyzed.
Findings
When the turntable is operated at low speeds with only small angle of tilt, stability of the oil film is maintained. At lower rotational speeds, a smaller angle of tilt improves the bearing capacity and ensures stability of the oil film. Whereas, higher rotational speeds can have a considerable influence on the bearing capacity.
Originality/value
The results demonstrate that the inclination or tilt of the turntable significantly affects the stability of the oil film.
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Zhijie Guan, Yan Xu, Hong Jiang and Guogang Jiang
The purpose of this paper is to analyze raw materials, labor, capital, demand, related industries, strategies and policies influencing international competitiveness of Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze raw materials, labor, capital, demand, related industries, strategies and policies influencing international competitiveness of Chinese textile and clothing industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is conducted using “Diamond Model”, in which raw materials, labor, capital, demand, related industries, strategies and policies are included as explanatory variables, and the impacts of international competitiveness on market share (MS), trade competitiveness(TC) and revealed comparative advantage(RCA) are examined based on the estimated coefficients of these variables.
Findings
These factors have different effects on TC, MS and RCA. While their effects on TC and MS are similar in sign even though their degree of significance differs, their effects on RCA are opposite to TC and MS except for capital. Raw materials and capital have negative effects on TC and MS, while the other factors have positive ones. Raw materials have positive effects on RCA, but all other factors have negative ones.
Practical/implications
The results from this study imply that it is necessary to increase investment in fixed assets of Chinese textile and clothing industry, speed up the pace of upgrading equipment, improve the level of industrialization, while strengthening the supply of textile raw materials, and lowering raw material prices, thereby reducing the cost of textile and clothing enterprises.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical research made using econometric model about the impact of the main factors of trade competitiveness in Chinese textile and clothing industry based on the “Diamond Model”.
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The aim of this study is to explore students' expectations and perceived effectiveness of computer-assisted review tools, and the differences in reliability and validity between…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to explore students' expectations and perceived effectiveness of computer-assisted review tools, and the differences in reliability and validity between human evaluation and automatic evaluation, to find a way to improve students' English writing ability.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the expectancy disconfirmation theory (EDT) and Intelligent Computer-Assisted Language Learning (ICALL) theory, an experiment is conducted through the observation method, semistructured interview method and questionnaire survey method. In the experiment, respondents were asked to write and submit four essays on three online automated essay evaluation (AEE) systems in total, one essay every two weeks. Also, two teacher raters were invited to score the first and last papers of each student. The respondents' feedbacks were investigated to confirm the effectiveness of the AEE system; the evaluation results of the AEE systems and teachers were compared; descriptive statistics was used to analyze the experimental data.
Findings
The experiment revealed that the respondents held high expectations for the computer-assisted evaluation tools, and the effectiveness of computer scoring feedback on students was higher than that of teacher scoring feedback. Moreover, at the end of the writing project, the students' independent learning ability and English writing ability were significantly improved. Besides, there was a positive correlation between students' initial expectations of computer-assisted learning tools and the final evaluation of learning results.
Originality/value
The innovation lies in the use of observation methods, questionnaire survey methods, data analysis, and other methods for the experiment, and the combination of deep learning theory, EDT and descriptive statistics, which has particular reference value for future works.
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Zhijie Yuan, Hao Wang, Rou Li, Jianxiao Mao and Hui Gao
This paper aims to investigate the equivalent relationship between accelerated corrosion tests and real environmental spectrum of suspenders in long-span suspension bridge…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the equivalent relationship between accelerated corrosion tests and real environmental spectrum of suspenders in long-span suspension bridge considering multiple factors action.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on Faraday's law, corrosion current was used as a measure of metal corrosion, and the equivalent conversion relationship between laboratory environment and real service environment was established. The equivalent conversion method for bridge structural steel had been determined under different temperature, humidity, pH value and NaCl concentration conditions. The compilation of environmental spectra for large span bridges considering multiple factors and the principle of equivalent conversion have been proposed.
Findings
Environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, pH value and NaCl concentration, have significant impact on the corrosion degree of suspension steel wires, and only considering these two factors for equivalent conversion cannot accurately reflect the true service environment of the bridge. The 33.8-h salt spray accelerated corrosion test using the standard conditions can be equivalent to one year of suspenders corrosion in a real service environment.
Originality/value
The equivalent accelerated corrosion method for steel wires proposed in this study can effectively predict the corrosion degree of the suspenders, which has been verified to be correct and can provide theoretical guidance for the development of corrosion test plans for steel wires and engineering technical basis for anti-corrosion control and calendar life research of suspension bridge suspenders.
Details
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Zhijie Wen, Junjie Cao, Xiuping Liu and Shihui Ying
Fabric defects detection is vital in the automation of textile industry. The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement a new fabric defects detection method based on…
Abstract
Purpose
Fabric defects detection is vital in the automation of textile industry. The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement a new fabric defects detection method based on adaptive wavelet.
Design/methodology/approach
Fabric defects can be regarded as the abrupt features of textile images with uniform background textures. Wavelets have compact support and can represent these textures. When there is an abrupt feature existed, the response is totally different with the response of the background textures, so wavelets can detect these abrupt features. This method designs the appropriate wavelet bases for different fabric images adaptively. The defects can be detected accurately.
Findings
The proposed method achieves accurate detection of fabric defects. The experimental results suggest that the approach is effective.
Originality/value
This paper develops an appropriate method to design wavelet filter coefficients for detecting fabric defects, which is called adaptive wavelet. And it is helpful to realize the automation of textile industry.