Compliant mechanism optimization: analysis and design with intrinsic characteristic stiffness

Michael Yu Wang, Shikui Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article focuses on design formulation of compliant mechanisms posed as a topology optimization problem. With the use of linear elasticity theory, a single-input, single-output compliant mechanism is represented by the stiffness matrix of its structure with respect to the input-output ports. It is shown that the stiffness model captures the intrinsic stiffness properties of the mechanism. Furthermore, in order for the optimization problem to be properly defined, it is necessary that the stiffness matrix of the mechanism's structure must be guaranteed to be always positive definite. An exploratory design formulation is then presented based on this necessary condition. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the potential benefits of using the intrinsic stiffness properties for compliant mechanism design with topology optimization techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-200
Number of pages18
JournalMechanics Based Design of Structures and Machines
Volume37
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Compliant mechanisms
  • Point flexures
  • Topology optimization

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