Change in Backlash of Humanoid Robot Joints under High Load

Abstract

In this work, wear of reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) polymer bushes in friction against 7075 aluminium alloy cam plates or titanium crankshafts is investigated in order to establish the application possibilities in transmission parts in humanoid robot joints under high load torque. The PEEK bush wear requires close examination as well as the input axis-output axis transmission error (backlash). Sliding wear tests were performed on bushes under 4000 kgfcm (392 Nm) load torque, while the cam plate oscillated in the humanoid robot leg joint evaluation system. The robot joint using PEEK bush achieved quite small backlash after the fatigue wear test.