Topological Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms Using Linear Beam Elements^*

摘要

The design of compliant mechanisms poses certain unique challenges because such mechanisms should have adequate flexibility to undergo desired deformations under the action of applied forces and adequate stiffness to withstand external loading. The focus here is to generate the topology of a compliant mechanism starting from input/output force/displacement functional requirements and design constraints. Previous studies [[1] Ananthasuresh, G. K., Kota, S. and Gianchandani, Y. 1993. Systematic Synthesis of Microcompliant Mechanisms—Preliminary Results. Proc. 3d Natl. Conf. on Applied Mechanisms and Robotics. November1993, Cincinnati. Vol. 2, [Google Scholar] [2] Ananthasuresh, G. K., Kota, S. and Gianchandani, Y. June 1994. “A Methodical Approach to the Synthesis of Micro Compliant Mechanisms”. In Technical Digest, Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop 189–192. Island, S. C.: Hilton Head. [Google Scholar] [3] Ananthasuresh, G. K., Kota, S. and Kikuchi, N. Strategies for Systematic Synthesis of Compliant MEMS, DSC. ASME Winter Annual Meeting. Nov.1994, Chicago. Vol. 55-2, [Google Scholar]] and [[4] Frecker, M. I., Ananthasuresh, G. K., Nishiwaki, S., Kikuchi, N. and Kota, S. 1997. Topological Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms Using Multi-Criteria Optimization. J. Mech. Design, 119(2): 238–245. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]] employed a multi-criteria objective function comprised of mutual potential energy (MPE) and strain energy (SE) to full ground truss structures. Here an improved and robust objective function and its implementation for a network of linear beam elements is presented. Also discussed is the influence of various geometric and material variables on the objective function. Additionally, the objective function is interpreted in terms of physical design parameters such as mechanical advantage and geometric advantage.