Design of Compliant Mechanisms for Morphing Structural Shapes

Abstract

Various compliant mechanism synthesis methods have been developed over the past decade; however, very little attention has been directed towards adaptive shape change problems. In this paper, we present a systematic method for synthesizing compliant mechanisms to morph a given curve or profile into a target curve utilizing minimum number of actuators (typically one). Two objective functions are formulated, using Least Square Errors and a modified Fourier Transformation, to capture the shape differences. The topology and dimensions of the optimal compliant mechanism are generated using Genetic Algorithms. Applications of this synthesis approach are demonstrated through two adaptive antenna design examples.

A normalization-based approach to the mobility analysis of spatial compliant multi-beam modules

“…They can be used in a variety of applications, especially where high-precision motions are required, such as precision motion positioning stages, precision robotics in biomedical applications, MEMS sensors and actuators, amplifiers, grippers, adaptive mechanisms, and design-for-no-assembly [5][6][7][8][9][10]. The degrees-of-freedom (DOF) of traditional rigid-body mechanisms can be identified and calculated using formulas proposed in the literatures.…”

Topological Optimization of Compliant Adaptive Wing Structure

“…In the load-path method an initial structural network of given topology is specified and an optimal structure is sought, whose topology is a subset of the original [4,8]. This means that the general structural form is already specified at the beginning of the design process, and therefore minimal postprocessing is required to realize a structure designed by this method, in contrast to the density-based approach, where the material is uniformly distributed at the beginning.…”

“…An intuitive approach would be to use binary parameters to define the existence of each member where one corresponds to a member that exists and zero to a member that does not exist [8]. This method of parametrization, however, leads to significant problems when it is combined with genetic search algorithms.…”

“…2. This is the starting point for the design process [4,8]. The design space is the region within which the optimized structure must be constrained.…”

Evaluation of a Compliant Droop-Nose Morphing Wing Tip via Experimental Tests

“…An even further subset of morphing technology is the use of compliant mechanisms as carefully arranged flexible substructures supporting and driving the smooth skin. These mechanisms hold high potential for use in morphing systems given the benefits over conventional sliding/pinned/rigid-link mechanisms of reduced wear, easier assembly, and the elimination of backlash [8][9][10][11].…”