Synthesis framework for the design of fully-compliant mechanisms containing fixed-guided segments with an inflection point. The dissertation then formalizes a new approach for the evaluation of mechanical advantage of compliant mechanisms. In order to extend the approach towards synthesis and design of compliant mechanisms with.
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 Workshop189–192. 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.
In mechanical engineering, compliant mechanisms are flexible mechanisms that transfer an input force and displacement at one port to an output force and displacement at another port through elastic body deformation[1]. These may be monolithic (single-piece) or jointless structures.
Since many compliant mechanisms are single-piece structures, there is no need of assembly. With no joints, 'rubbing' between two parts or friction as seen at the joints of rigid body mechanisms is absent[2]. Compliant mechanisms are elastic.
Compliant mechanisms are usually designed using two techniques,[3] the first being a pseudo-rigid-body model[2] and the second, the topology optimization. Other techniques are being conceived to design these mechanisms. Compliant mechanisms manufactured in a plane that have motion emerging from said plane are known as lamina emergent mechanisms (LEMs).
The flexible drive or resilient drive, often used to couple an electric motor to a machine (for example, a pump), is one example. The drive consists of a rubber 'spider' sandwiched between two metal dogs. One dog is fixed to the motor shaft and the other to the pump shaft. The flexibility of the rubber part compensates for any slight misalignment between the motor and the pump. See rag joint and giubo.[citation needed]
The Second International Symposium on Compliant Mechanisms,[4] was held on May 19-20, 2011 at Delft, Netherlands.
Compliant mechanisms can be used to create self-adaptive mechanisms, commonly used for grasping in robotics.[5]
A number of labs and researchers are explicitly researching compliant mechanisms:
In addition, the following researchers may be doing compliant mechanism research: