Topological Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms Using Linear Beam Elements1*

Abstract

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][2][3]] and [[4]] 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.