Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data
Abstract
The characterization of nonlinearities, specifically backlash and friction, in one-degree-of-freedom (1-DoF) electromechanical systems is essential for achieving high-precision control. This study presents a systematic investigation into the identification of these phenomena using a white-box modeling approach. An experimental platform, consisting of a brushed DC motor with a gearbox and a 3D-printed L-shaped load arm, was developed to generate input-output data from sinusoidal voltage excitations. A comprehensive nonlinear model, developed in MATLAB/Simulink, incorporated electrical dynamics, Coulomb and viscous friction, gravitational torque, and backlash dead-zone effects. Two complementary parameter identification methods, Nonlinear Least Squares Errors (NLSE) estimation and a Genetic Algorithm (GA), were applied to estimate the model's unknown parameters. Results demonstrated that both approaches successfully captured the dominant system dynamics; however, NLSE achieved superior accuracy in both identification (RMSE = 0.13 rad/s, R2 = 0.99) and verification (RMSE = 0.16 rad/s, R2 = 0.96) phases, compared to GA (RMSE = 0.21-0.22 rad/s, R2 = 0.94-0.97). These findings demonstrate that, with identical initialization and constraints of system parameters, a physics-based white-box model combined with NLSE provides a more reliable and precise characterization of combined backlash and friction nonlinearities than GA for the investigated 1-DoF electromechanical system and excitation conditions.
Keywords
Thanks
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the FENG498 Project team, Damla Köleli, Ali Gül, Sude Kurt, and Cem Satılmış, for designing and developing the experimental setup utilized in this study, which served as the foundation for the modeling and parameter identification work presented herein.
References
- 1. Zuo, Q., B. Wang, J. Chen, and H. Dong, Model predictive control of aero-mechanical actuators with consideration of gear backlash and friction compensation. Electronics, 2024. 13(20): p. 4021.
- 2. Ruderman, M., S. Yamada, and H. Fujimoto, Backlash identification in two-mass systems by delayed relay feedback. Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 2019. 141(6): p. 061007.
- 3. Wang, C., M. Yang, W. Zheng, K. Hu, and D. Xu, Analysis and suppression of limit cycle oscillation for transmission system with backlash nonlinearity. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2017. 64(12): p. 9261–9270.
- 4. Dong, R., Y. Tan, and D. He, A nonsmooth IMC method for mechanical systems with backlash. Journal of Control Theory and Applications, 2013. 11(4): p. 600–607.
- 5. Giovannitti, E., G. Palli, and C. Melchiorri, A virtual sensor for backlash in robotic manipulators. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 2022. 33: p. 1921–1937.
- 6. Armstrong-Hélouvry, B., P. Dupont, and C.C. De Wit, A survey of models, analysis tools and compensation methods for the control of machines with friction. Automatica, 1994. 30(7): p. 1083–1138.
- 7. Olsson, H., K.J. Åström, C.C. de Wit, M. Gäfvert, and P. Lischinsky, Friction models and friction compensation. European Journal of Control, 1998. 4(3): p. 176–195.
- 8. Abedinifar, M., S. Ertugrul, and S.H. Arguz, Nonlinear model identification and statistical verification using experimental data with a case study of the UR5 manipulator joint parameters. Robotica, 2023. 41(4): p. 1348–1370.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Mechatronics Engineering, Simulation, Modelling, and Programming of Mechatronics Systems
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
December 25, 2025
Submission Date
September 5, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 16, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 3
APA
Abedinifar, M., & Ertugrul, S. (2025). Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data. International Advanced Researches and Engineering Journal, 9(3), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.35860/iarej.1778704
AMA
1.Abedinifar M, Ertugrul S. Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data. Int. Adv. Res. Eng. J. 2025;9(3):191-200. doi:10.35860/iarej.1778704
Chicago
Abedinifar, Masoud, and Seniz Ertugrul. 2025. “Investigation of Backlash and Friction Nonlinearities in a 1-DoF Electromechanical System Based on Experimental Data”. International Advanced Researches and Engineering Journal 9 (3): 191-200. https://doi.org/10.35860/iarej.1778704.
EndNote
Abedinifar M, Ertugrul S (December 1, 2025) Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data. International Advanced Researches and Engineering Journal 9 3 191–200.
IEEE
[1]M. Abedinifar and S. Ertugrul, “Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data”, Int. Adv. Res. Eng. J., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 191–200, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.35860/iarej.1778704.
ISNAD
Abedinifar, Masoud - Ertugrul, Seniz. “Investigation of Backlash and Friction Nonlinearities in a 1-DoF Electromechanical System Based on Experimental Data”. International Advanced Researches and Engineering Journal 9/3 (December 1, 2025): 191-200. https://doi.org/10.35860/iarej.1778704.
JAMA
1.Abedinifar M, Ertugrul S. Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data. Int. Adv. Res. Eng. J. 2025;9:191–200.
MLA
Abedinifar, Masoud, and Seniz Ertugrul. “Investigation of Backlash and Friction Nonlinearities in a 1-DoF Electromechanical System Based on Experimental Data”. International Advanced Researches and Engineering Journal, vol. 9, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 191-00, doi:10.35860/iarej.1778704.
Vancouver
1.Masoud Abedinifar, Seniz Ertugrul. Investigation of backlash and friction nonlinearities in a 1-DoF electromechanical system based on experimental data. Int. Adv. Res. Eng. J. 2025 Dec. 1;9(3):191-200. doi:10.35860/iarej.1778704
