Modeling Large Spatial Deflections of Slender Bisymmetric Beams in Compliant Mechanisms Using Chained Spatial-Beam Constraint Model

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guimin Chen ◽  
Ruiyu Bai
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Nonlinear Constraint ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Flexible Beams ◽  
Spatial Beams ◽  
Spatial Beam ◽  
Constraint Model

Modeling large spatial deflections of flexible beams has been one of the most challenging problems in the research community of compliant mechanisms. This work presents a method called chained spatial-beam constraint model (CSBCM) for modeling large spatial deflections of flexible bisymmetric beams in compliant mechanisms. CSBCM is based on the spatial-beam constraint model (SBCM), which was developed for the purpose of accurately predicting the nonlinear constraint characteristics of bisymmetric spatial beams in their intermediate deflection range. CSBCM deals with large spatial deflections by dividing a spatial beam into several elements, modeling each element with SBCM, and then assembling the deflected elements using the transformation defined by Tait–Bryan angles to form the whole deflection. It is demonstrated that CSBCM is capable of solving various large spatial deflection problems either the tip loads are known or the tip deflections are known. The examples show that CSBCM can accurately predict large spatial deflections of flexible beams, as compared to the available nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) results obtained by ansys. The results also demonstrated the unique capabilities of CSBCM to solve large spatial deflection problems that are outside the range of ansys.

Modeling Large Spatial Deflections of Slender Bisymmetric Beams in Compliant Mechanisms Using Chained Spatial-Beam-Constraint-Model (CSBCM)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guimin Chen ◽  
Ruiyu Bai
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Nonlinear Constraint ◽  
Flexible Beams ◽  
Spatial Beams ◽  
Spatial Beam ◽  
Constraint Model

Modeling large spatial deflections of flexible beams has been one of the most challenging problems in the research community of compliant mechanisms. This work presents a method called chained spatial-beam-constraint-model (CSBCM) for modeling large spatial deflections of flexible bisymmetric beams in compliant mechanisms. CSBCM is based on the spatial beam constraint model (SBCM), which was developed for the purpose of accurately predicting the nonlinear constraint characteristics of bisymmetric spatial beams in their intermediate deflection range. CSBCM deals with large spatial deflections by dividing a spatial beam into several elements, modeling each element with SBCM, and then assembling the deflected elements using the transformation defined by Tait-Bryan angles to form the whole deflection. It is demonstrated that CSBCM is capable of solving various large spatial deflection problems whether the tip loads are known or the tip deflections are known. The examples show that CSBCM can accurately predict the large spatial deflections of flexible beams, as compared to the available nonlinear FEA results obtained by ANSYS. The results also demonstrated the unique capabilities of CSBCM to solve large spatial deflection problems that are outside the range of ANSYS.

Nonlinear Constraint Model for Symmetric Three-Dimensional Beams

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiladitya Sen ◽  
Shorya Awtar
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
Nonlinear Constraint ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Flexure Mechanism ◽  
Spatial Beam ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Simplifying Assumptions ◽  
Non Linear Load ◽  
Constraint Model

The constraint-based design of flexure mechanisms requires a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the constraint characteristics of flexure elements that serve as constraints. This paper presents the constraint characterization of a slender, uniform and symmetric cross-section, spatial beam, which is one of the most basic flexure elements used in three-dimensional flexure mechanisms. The constraint characteristics of interest, namely stiffness and error motions, are determined from the non-linear load-displacement relations of the beam. Appropriate simplifying assumptions are made in deriving these relations so that relevant non-linear effects (load-stiffening, kinematic, and elastokinematic) are captured in a compact, closed-form, and parametric manner. The resulting spatial beam constraint model is shown to be accurate, using non-linear finite element analysis, within a load and displacement range of practical interest. The utility of this model lies in the physical and analytical insight that it offers into the constraint behavior of a spatial beam flexure, its use in 3D flexure mechanism geometries, and fundamental performance tradeoffs in flexure mechanism design.

Mechanical Behaviour of Auxetic Microstructures Using Contact Mechanics and Elastoplasticity

2016 ◽  
Vol 681 ◽  
pp. 100-116
Author(s):  
Georgios A. Drosopoulos ◽  
Nikolaos Kaminakis ◽  
Nikoletta Papadogianni ◽  
Georgios E. Stavroulakis
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Contact Mechanics ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Numerical Homogenization ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Optimization Formulation

The design of novel mechanical microstructures having auxetic behaviour is proposed in this paper using techniques of topology optimization for compliant mechanisms. The resulting microstructure can be modified in order to cover additional needs, not included in the topology optimization formulation. Classical structural optimization, contact mechanics, homogenization and nonlinear finite element analysis are used for this step. Thus, the modified microstructure or composite is studied with numerical homogenization in order to verify that it still has the wished auxetic behaviour. Finally, nonlinear finite element analysis shows how the auxetic behaviour is influenced by unilateral contact between the constituent materials, large displacements and elastoplasticity.

Chained Beam-Constraint-Model (CBCM): A Powerful Tool for Modeling Large and Complicated Deflections of Flexible Beams in Compliant Mechanisms

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulei Ma ◽  
Guimin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Large Deflection ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Research Community ◽  
The Other ◽  
New Method ◽  
Flexible Beam ◽  
Large Deflections ◽  
Flexible Beams ◽  
Constraint Model

Modeling large deflections has been one of the most fundamental problems in the research community of compliant mechanisms. Although many methods are available, there still exists a need for a method that is simple, accurate, and can be applied to a vast variety of large deflection problems. Based on the beam constraint model (BCM), we propose a new method for modeling large deflections called chained BCM (CBCM), which divides a flexible beam into a few elements and models each element by BCM. It is demonstrated that CBCM is capable of modeling various large and complicated deflections of flexible beams in compliant mechanisms. In general, CBCM obtains accurate results with no more than 6 BCM elements, thus is more efficient than most of the other discretization-based methods.

A Closed-Form Nonlinear Model for the Constraint Characteristics of Symmetric Spatial Beams

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiladitya Sen ◽  
Shorya Awtar
Keyword(s):  
Closed Form ◽  
Virtual Work ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Load ◽  
Flexure Mechanism ◽  
Spatial Beams ◽  
Spatial Beam ◽  
Load Displacement ◽  
Constraint Model

The constraint-based design of flexure mechanisms requires a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the constraint characteristics of flexure elements that serve as constraints. This paper presents the constraint characterization of a uniform and symmetric cross-section, slender, spatial beam—a basic flexure element commonly used in three-dimensional flexure mechanisms. The constraint characteristics of interest, namely stiffness and error motions, are determined from the nonlinear load–displacement relations at the beam end. Appropriate assumptions are made while formulating the strain and strain energy expressions for the spatial beam to retain relevant geometric nonlinearities. Using the principle of virtual work, nonlinear beam governing equations are derived and subsequently solved for general end loads. The resulting nonlinear load–displacement relations capture the constraint characteristics of the spatial beam in a compact, closed-form, and parametric manner. This constraint model is shown to be accurate using nonlinear finite element analysis, within a load and displacement range of practical interest. The utility of this model lies in the physical and analytical insight that it offers into the constraint behavior of a spatial beam flexure, its use in design and optimization of 3D flexure mechanism geometries, and its elucidation of fundamental performance tradeoffs in flexure mechanism design.

The Stiffness Model of Leaf-Type Isosceles-Trapezoidal Flexural Pivots

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Xu ◽  
Yu Jingjun ◽  
Zong Guanghua ◽  
Bi Shusheng
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Leaf Segment ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Leaf Type ◽  
Stiffness Model

A leaf-type isosceles-trapezoidal flexural pivot can be of great practical use for designing compliant mechanisms. The analysis of load-deflection behavior for such a pivot is essential to the study of the mechanisms that are comprised of them. Based on the analysis of a single special loaded leaf segment, a pseudo-rigid-body four-bar model is proposed. The four-bar model is further simplified to a pin-joint model for some simple applications. The accuracy of both models is demonstrated by comparing results to those of nonlinear finite element analysis. At last, the two models are applied to analyze the cartwheel hinge as an example.

scholarly journals Multiresolution Topology Optimization of Large-Deformation Path-Generation Compliant Mechanisms with Stress Constraints

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2479
Author(s):  
Joseph Reinisch ◽  
Erich Wehrle ◽  
Johannes Achleitner
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Stress Constraints ◽  
Nonlinear Finite Element ◽  
Path Generation ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Multiresolution Topology Optimization

Topology optimization is a powerful numerical tool in the synthesis of lightweight structures and compliant mechanisms. Compliant mechanisms present challenges for topology optimization, as they typically exhibit large displacements and rotations. Path-generation mechanisms are a class of mechanisms that are designed to follow an exact path. The characteristics of compliant mechanisms therefore exclude the validity of linear finite-element analysis to ensure the proper modeling of deformation and stresses. As stresses can exceed the limit when neglected, stress constraints are needed in the synthesis of compliant mechanisms. Both nonlinear finite-element analysis as well as the consideration of stress constraints significantly increase computational cost of topology optimization. Multiresolution topology optimization, which employs different levels of discretization for the finite-element analysis and the representation of the material distribution, allows an important reduction of computational effort. A multiresolution topology optimization methodology is proposed integrating stress constraints based on nonlinear finite-element analysis for path-generation mechanisms. Two objective formulations are used to motivate and validate this methodology: maximum-displacement mechanisms and path-generation mechanisms. The formulation of the stress constraints and their sensitivities within nonlinear finite-element analysis and multiresolution topology optimization are explained. We introduce two academic benchmark examples to demonstrate the results for each of the objective formulations. To show the practical, large-scale application of this method, results for the compliant mechanism structure of a droop-nose morphing wing concept are shown.

Modeling Large Planar Deflections of Flexible Beams in Compliant Mechanisms Using Chained Beam-Constraint-Model1

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fulei Ma ◽  
Guimin Chen
Keyword(s):  
Strain Energy ◽  
Large Deflection ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Research Community ◽  
New Method ◽  
Flexible Beam ◽  
Large Deflections ◽  
Flexible Beams ◽  
Versatile Tool ◽  
Constraint Model

Modeling large deflections has been one of the most fundamental problems in the research community of compliant mechanisms. Although many methods are available, there still exists a need for a method that is simple, accurate, and can be applied to a vast variety of large deflection problems. Based on the beam-constraint model (BCM), we propose a new method for modeling large deflections called chained BCM (CBCM), which divides a flexible beam into a few elements and models each element by BCM. The approaches for determining the strain energy stored in a deflected beam and the stress distributed on it are also presented within the framework of CBCM. Several typical examples were analyzed and the results show CBCMs capabilities of modeling various large deflections of flexible beams in compliant mechanisms. Generally, CBCM can serve as an efficient and versatile tool for solving large deflection problems in a variety of compliant mechanisms.

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