Wide Curve Based Geometric Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Kwun-Lon Ting

A wide curve is a curve with width or cross-section. This paper presents a geometric optimization method of compliant mechanisms based on the free form wide curve theory. With the proposed method, geometric optimization can be performed to further improve the performance of a compliant mechanism after its topology is selected. Every connection in the topology is represented as a parametric wide curve in which variable shape and size are fully described and conveniently controlled by the limited number of parameters. The geometric optimization is formulated on the control parameters of the wide curves corresponding to all connections in the topology. Problem-dependent objectives are optimized and practical constraints are imposed during the optimization process. The optimization problem is solved by the constrained nonlinear programming algorithm in Matlab Optimization Toolbox. An example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed optimization procedure.

Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Kwun-Lon Ting

Three-dimensional multilayer wide curves are spatial curves with variable cross sections and multiple materials. This paper introduces a geometric optimization method for spatial multimaterial compliant mechanisms and structures by using three-dimensional multilayer wide curves. In this paper, every multimaterial connection is represented by a three-dimensional multilayer wide curve and the whole spatial multimaterial compliant mechanism or structure is modeled as a set of connected three-dimensional multilayer wide curves. The geometric optimization of a spatial multimaterial compliant mechanism or structure is considered as the optimal selection of control parameters of the corresponding three-dimensional multilayer wide curves. The deformation and performance of spatial multimaterial compliant mechanisms and structures are evaluated by the isoparametric degenerate-continuum nonlinear finite element procedure. The problem-dependent objectives are optimized and the practical constraints are imposed during the optimization process. The optimization problem is solved by the MATLAB constrained nonlinear programming algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed geometric optimization procedure is verified by the demonstrated examples.


2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Kwun-Lon Ting

A three-dimensional wide curve is a spatial curve with variable cross sections. This paper introduces a geometric optimization method for spatial compliant mechanisms by using three-dimensional wide curves. In this paper, every material connection in a spatial compliant mechanism is represented by a three-dimensional wide curve and the whole spatial compliant mechanism is modeled as a set of connected three-dimensional wide curves. The geometric optimization of a spatial compliant mechanism is considered as the generation and optimal selection of the control parameters of the corresponding three-dimensional parametric wide curves. The deformation and performance of spatial compliant mechanisms are evaluated by the isoparametric degenerate-continuum nonlinear finite element procedure. The problem-dependent objectives are optimized and the practical constraints are imposed during the optimization process. The optimization problem is solved by the MATLAB constrained nonlinear programming algorithm.


2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Kwun-Lon Ting

A wide curve is a curve with width or cross section. This paper introduces a shape and size synthesis method for compliant mechanisms based on free-form wide curve theory. With the proposed method, detailed dimensions synthesis can be performed to further improve the performance after the topology is selected. Every connection in the topology is represented by a parametric wide curve in which variable shape and size are fully described and conveniently controlled by the limited number of parameters. The shape and size synthesis is formulated as the optimization of the control parameters of wide curves corresponding to all connections in the topology. Problem-dependent objectives are optimized and practical constraints are imposed during the optimization process. The optimization problem is solved by the constrained nonlinear programing algorithm in the MATLAB Optimization Toolbox. Two examples are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed synthesis procedure.


2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou

The hybrid discretization model for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. Each design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. This hybrid discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to be connected by four triangular analysis cells whether they are in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. Topological anomalies such as checkerboard patterns, diagonal element chains, and de facto hinges are completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary, and every analysis cell is either solid or void to prevent the gray cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum and to avoid the need to choose the initial guess solution and conduct sensitivity analysis. The obtained topology solutions have no point connection, unsmooth boundary, and zigzag member. No post-processing is needed for topology uncertainty caused by point connection or a gray cell. The introduced hybrid discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are illustrated by two classical synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Pranjal P. Killekar

The modified quadrilateral discretization model for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. There is a certain location shift between two neighboring rows of quadrilateral design cells. This modified quadrilateral discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to share an edge whether they are in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. Point connection is completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary, and every design cell is either solid or void to prevent gray cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Local stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum. No postprocessing is required for topology uncertainty caused by either point connection or gray cell. The presented modified quadrilateral discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are demonstrated by two synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Hong Zhou ◽  
Pranjal P. Killekar

The modified quadrilateral discretization model for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. There is a certain location shift between two neighboring rows of quadrilateral design cells. This modified quadrilateral discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to share an edge whether they are in the horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. Point connection is completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary and every design cell is either solid or void to prevent grey cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Local stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum and avoid the need to select the initial guess solution and conduct sensitivity analysis. No postprocessing is needed for topology uncertainty caused by point connection or grey cell. The presented modified quadrilateral discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are demonstrated by two synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Hong Zhou

Hybrid discretization model for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. Each design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. This hybrid discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to be connected by four triangular analysis cells no matter they are in the horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. Topological anomalies such as checkerboard patterns, diagonal element chains and de facto hinges are completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary and every analysis cell is either solid or void to prevent grey cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Von Mises stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum and avoid the need to choose the initial guess solution and conduct sensitivity analysis. The obtained topology solutions require no postprocessing or interpretation, and have no point flexure, unsmooth boundary and zigzag member. The introduced hybrid discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are illustrated by two classical synthesis examples in compliant mechanisms.


2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang-Won Jang ◽  
Myung-Jin Kim ◽  
Yoon Young Kim

We developed a design method to configure optimal compliant mechanisms consisting of standardized elements such as semirigid beams, hubs, and joints. In the proposed design approach, mechanism compliance is based upon elastic deformations of joint elements made of short elastic beams. To set up the design problem as an optimization problem, a standard ground beam-based topology optimization method is modified to handle compliant mechanisms comprised of design variable-independent semirigid beams and design variable-dependent elastic joints. In the proposed method, unlike structural stiffness maximization problems, intermediate values should appear to allow elastic deformations in the joints. With our approach, reconfiguration design from one existing compliant mechanism to another can be formulated wherein the number of beam element relocation operations is also minimized. This formulation can be useful in minimizing the time and effort required to convert one mechanism to another.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamesh Subbarao ◽  
Jennifer D. Goss

This paper considers the numerical optimization of a double ramp scramjet inlet using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects together with inlet ramp angle changes. The parameter being optimized is the mass capture at the throat of the inlet, such that spillage effects for less than design Mach numbers are reduced. The control parameters for the optimization include the MHD effects in conjunction with ramp angle changes. To enhance the MHD effects different ionization scenarios depending upon the alignment of the magnetic field are considered. The flow solution is based on the Advection Upstream Splitting Method (AUSM) that accounts for the MHD source terms as well. A numerical Broyden-Flecher-Goldfarb-Shanno- (BFGS-) based procedure is utilized to optimize the inlet mass capture. Numerical validation results compared to published results in the literature as well as the outcome of the optimization procedure are summarized to illustrate the efficacy of the approach.


2006 ◽  
Vol 326-328 ◽  
pp. 1407-1410
Author(s):  
Young Seok Lim ◽  
Seung Jae Min ◽  
Shinji Nishiwaki

In the design of piezoelectric actuator the concept of compliant mechanism combined with piezoelectric materials has been used to magnify either geometric or mechanical advantage. The polarization of piezoelectric materials is considered to improve actuation since the piezoelectric polarization has influences on the performance of the actuator. The topology design of compliant mechanism can be formulated as an optimization problem of material distribution in a fixed design domain and continuous approximation of material distribution(CAMD) method has demonstrated its effectiveness to prevent the numerical instabilities in topology optimization. The optimization problem is formulated to maximize the mean transduction ratio subject to the total volume constraints and solved using a sequential linear programming algorithm. The performance improvement of Moonie actuator design confirms an effect of polarization direction and CAMD.


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