A new level set method for systematic design of hinge-free compliant mechanisms

2008 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junzhao Luo ◽  
Zhen Luo ◽  
Shikui Chen ◽  
Liyong Tong ◽  
Michael Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Systematic Design

Design of Compliant Thermal Actuators Using Structural Optimization Based on the Level Set Method

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Yamada ◽  
Shintaro Yamasaki ◽  
Shinji Nishiwaki ◽  
Kazuhiro Izui ◽  
Masataka Yoshimura
Keyword(s):  
Structural Optimization ◽  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Equilibrium Equations ◽  
Thermal Actuators ◽  
Level Set Function ◽  
Initialization Scheme ◽  
Set Function

Compliant mechanisms are designed to be flexible to achieve a specified motion as a mechanism. Such mechanisms can function as compliant thermal actuators in micro-electromechanical systems by intentionally designing configurations that exploit thermal expansion effects in elastic material when appropriate portions of the mechanism structure are heated or are subjected to an electric potential. This paper presents a new structural optimization method for the design of compliant thermal actuators based on the level set method and the finite element method (FEM). First, an optimization problem is formulated that addresses the design of compliant thermal actuators considering the magnitude of the displacement at the output location. Next, the topological derivatives that are used when introducing holes during the optimization process are derived. Based on the optimization formulation, a new structural optimization algorithm is constructed that employs the FEM when solving the equilibrium equations and updating the level set function. The re-initialization of the level set function is performed using a newly developed geometry-based re-initialization scheme. Finally, several design examples are provided to confirm the usefulness of the proposed structural optimization method.

Design of Multimaterial Compliant Mechanisms Using Level-Set Methods

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 941-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Yu Wang ◽  
Shikui Chen ◽  
Xiaoming Wang ◽  
Yulin Mei
Keyword(s):  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Level Set Methods ◽  
Single Output ◽  
Geometric Boundary ◽  
Single Input ◽  
Applied Forces ◽  
Multiple Materials

A monolithic compliant mechanism transmits applied forces from specified input ports to output ports by elastic deformation of its comprising materials, fulfilling required functions analogous to a rigid-body mechanism. In this paper, we propose a level-set method for designing monolithic compliant mechanisms made of multiple materials as an optimization of continuum heterogeneous structures. Central to the method is a multiphase level-set model that precisely specifies the distinct material regions and their sharp interfaces as well as the geometric boundary of the structure. Combined with the classical shape derivatives, the level-set method yields an Eulerian computational system of geometric partial differential equations, capable of performing topological changes and capturing geometric evolutions at the interface and the boundary. The proposed method is demonstrated for single-input and single-output mechanisms and illustrated with several two-dimensional examples of synthesis of multimaterial mechanisms of force inverters and gripping and clamping devices. An analysis on the formation of de facto hinges is presented based on the shape gradient information. A scheme to ensure a well-connected topology of the mechanism during the process of optimization is also presented.

scholarly journals Level set based method for design of compliant mechanisms

2008 ◽  
pp. 957-968
Author(s):  
François Jouve ◽  
Houari Mechkour
Keyword(s):  
Structural Optimization ◽  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Automatic Design ◽  
Objective Functions ◽  
Multiple Loads ◽  
Natural Extensions

In the context of structural optimization, we propose two natural extensions of the level set method for the design of compliant mechanisms. Two new objective functions are introduced, well suited to the automatic design of compliant mechanisms, and a strategy for the design of mechanisms adapted to multiple loads is proposed. This work is illustrated with several numericals examples.

Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms Using Level Set Method without Re-Initialization

2011 ◽  
Vol 130-134 ◽  
pp. 3076-3082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Liang Zhu ◽  
Xian Min Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Signed Distance Function ◽  
Optimal Process ◽  
Level Set Function ◽  
New Formulation ◽  
Set Function

In this paper, a new level set method for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is presented. A new formulation is developed and built in the traditional level set method to force the level set function to be close to a signed distance function during the optimal process. The validity of the method is illustrated by topology optimization of a widely studied compliant mechanism.

Optimal Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms Using a Connectivity Preserving Level Set Method

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shikui Chen ◽  
Michael Yu Wang ◽  
Shengyin Wang ◽  
Qi Xia
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Optimal Design ◽  
Level Set Method ◽  
Level Set ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Optimal Synthesis ◽  
Optimization Process ◽  
Connected Components

We present a level set based method for optimal design of compliant mechanisms. The focus of the investigation is on how to preserve the structural connectivity in the optimization process of the level set method. By introducing an extra constraint using the connected components labeling technique, the structural connectivity of the design is well maintained during the topology optimization process.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document