A Compliant Contact Model Including Interference Geometry for Polyhedral Objects

Modeling of contact with the environment is an essential capability for the simulation of space robotics system, which includes tasks such as berthing and docking. The effect of interbody contact on the robotic system has to be determined to predict potential problems in the design cycle. A compliant contact dynamics model is proposed here that considers most possible contact situations for a wide diversity of possible object shapes and using interference geometry information. A uniform formula is provided to determine the contact force as a function of geometric parameters and material properties. A corresponding geometric algorithm is provided in order to obtain the necessary geometric parameters. Some simulation results are presented based on the implementation of the geometric algorithm.