Development of a multi-linked tracked jack robot

This paper reports the development of a new jack robot. The jack robot consists of two crawler vehicles connected by 3-DOF joint mechanism which is capable of posture change, constructing a thin structure to enable it to enter narrow space, as well as high mobility in disaster sites and adaptability to irregular terrain. An electric jack mechanism and a multi-DOF manipulator are equipped in the front segment of the jack robot to accomplish jack-up operations. Adopted multiple layers screw sleeves structure, the jack mechanism can spread to the place which is almost six times the height of its own, making it possible to lift a gap up from 70 mm to 400 mm under 300 kg load driven by DC motor. With the help of the multi-DOF manipulator, precise operations to the jack mechanism can be realized. Experimental results of driving test and jack-up test validate the capability of the multi-linked tracked jack robot.