TY - GEN
T1 - A parametric approach to the optimization-based design of compliant mechanisms
AU - Parkinson, Matthew B.
AU - Howell, Larry L.
AU - Cox, Jordan J.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors express their appreciation to Brigham Young University’s Mechanical Engineering Department for the use of its resources. The second author acknowledges the support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) by an NSF CAREER Award, grant No. DMI-9624574.
Publisher Copyright:
© 1997 by ASME.
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Several optimization-based strategies have been proposed for compliant mechanism design that do not rely on the experience or intuition of the designer. This paper demonstrates an optimization-based method wherein compliant mechanisms are modeled parametrically within an optimization and a finite element analysis package. Topological optimization is performed to minimize an objective function representing the fitness of the design. This methodology exploits the nonlinear nature of compliant mechanisms and augments optimization-based methods previously proposed. Using this method, constant-force mechanisms optimized for a displacement from 4% to 25% of the mechanism's total length were predicted to remain within 3.58% of constant force. Results from the testing of fabricated mechanisms are: for 4- 25% displacement, within 7.5% constant force; for 18-65% displacement, within 2.3%. Path generation mechanisms were designed with similarly encouraging results.
AB - Several optimization-based strategies have been proposed for compliant mechanism design that do not rely on the experience or intuition of the designer. This paper demonstrates an optimization-based method wherein compliant mechanisms are modeled parametrically within an optimization and a finite element analysis package. Topological optimization is performed to minimize an objective function representing the fitness of the design. This methodology exploits the nonlinear nature of compliant mechanisms and augments optimization-based methods previously proposed. Using this method, constant-force mechanisms optimized for a displacement from 4% to 25% of the mechanism's total length were predicted to remain within 3.58% of constant force. Results from the testing of fabricated mechanisms are: for 4- 25% displacement, within 7.5% constant force; for 18-65% displacement, within 2.3%. Path generation mechanisms were designed with similarly encouraging results.
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U2 - 10.1115/DETC97/DAC-3763
DO - 10.1115/DETC97/DAC-3763
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84993045131
T3 - Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
BT - 23rd Design Automation Conference
PB - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
T2 - ASME 1997 Design Engineering Technical Conferences, DETC 1997
Y2 - 14 September 1997 through 17 September 1997
ER -