Optimal Placement of Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators for Controlled Flexible Linkage Mechanisms

The optimal placement of sensors and actuators in active vibration control of flexible linkage mechanisms is studied. First, the vibration control model of the flexible mechanism is introduced. Second, based on the concept of the controllability and the observability of the controlled subsystem and the residual subsystem, the optimal model is developed aiming at the maximization of the controllability and the observability of the controlled modes and minimization of those of the residual modes. Finally, a numerical example is presented, which shows that the proposed method is feasible. Simulation analysis shows that to achieve the same control effect, the control system is easier to realize if the sensors and actuators are located in the optimal positions.