Load-Transmitter Constraint Sets: Part I—An Effective Tool for Visualizing Load Flow in Compliant Mechanisms and Structures

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish Krishnan ◽  
Charles Kim ◽  
Sridhar Kota
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Deformation Behavior ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Load Flow ◽  
Mathematical Framework ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Fundamental Building Block ◽  
Block Based

Visualizing load flow aids in conceptual design synthesis of machine components. In this paper, we present a mathematical framework to visualize load flow in compliant mechanisms and structures. This framework uses the concept of transferred forces to quantify load flow from input to the output of a compliant mechanism. The key contribution of this paper is the identification a fundamental building block known as the Load-Transmitter Constraint (LTC) set, which enables load flow in a particular direction. The transferred force in each LTC set is shown to be independent of successive LTC sets that are attached to it. This enables a continuous visualization of load flow from the input to the output. Furthermore, we mathematically relate the load flow with the deformation behavior of the mechanism. We can thus explain the deformation behavior of a number of compliant mechanisms from literature by identifying its LTC sets to visualize load flow. This method can also be used to visualize load flow in optimal stiff structure topologies. The insight obtained from this visualization tool facilitates a systematic building block based design methodology for compliant mechanisms and structural topologies.

A Kinetostatic Formulation for Load-Flow Visualization in Compliant Mechanisms

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish Krishnan ◽  
Charles Kim ◽  
Sridhar Kota
Keyword(s):  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Deformation Behavior ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Load Flow ◽  
Assembly Design ◽  
Fundamental Building Block ◽  
Machine Assembly

Load flow visualization, which is an important step in structural and machine assembly design may aid in the analysis and eventual synthesis of compliant mechanisms. In this paper, we present a kineto-static formulation to visualize load flow in compliant mechanisms. This formulation uses the concept of transferred forces to quantify load flow from input to the output of a compliant mechanism. The magnitude and direction of load flow in the constituent members enables functional decomposition of the compliant mechanism into (i) Constraints (C): members that are constrained to deform in a particular direction and (ii) Transmitters (T): members that transmit load to the output. Furthermore, it is shown that a constraint member and an adjacent transmitter member can be grouped together to constitute a fundamental building block known as an CT set whose load flow behavior is maximally decoupled from the rest of the mechanism. We can thereby explain the deformation behavior of a number of compliant mechanisms from literature by visualizing load flow, and identifying building blocks.

Load-Transmitter Constraint Sets: Part II—A Building Block Based Methodology for the Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish Krishnan ◽  
Charles Kim ◽  
Sridhar Kota
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Load Flow ◽  
Flow Path ◽  
Mathematical Representation ◽  
Mathematical Framework ◽  
Systematic Design ◽  
Shape Morphing ◽  
Load Paths ◽  
Block Based ◽  
Extensive Computation

Designers have always conceptualized of load flow as a part of their initial design process for mechanisms and structures. However, the lack of mathematical representation of load flow makes it inappropriate to be included in systematic design processes. Load Transmitter Constraint (LTC) sets provide a mathematical framework for visualizing load paths in compliant mechanisms. In this paper we propose a systematic design methodology for compliant mechanisms by systematic combination of LTC sets. This enables the designer to conceptualize load flow and choose relevant LTC sets to enforce it. Apart from being intuitive this process gives an understanding of the importance of each member in the mechanism. Furthermore this theory enables accurate and deterministic design for given motion specification without the aid of extensive computation. In this paper we propose guidelines for the design of mechanisms with a single load flow path and multi load flow path, particularly relevant in shape morphing applications.

Design Synthesis of 2-D Compliant Mechanisms Utilizing Serial Concatenation of Building Blocks

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girish Krishnan ◽  
Charles Kim ◽  
Sridhar Kota
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Unique Point ◽  
Compliance Matrix ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Parametric Variation ◽  
Point Of Interest

In this section we implement a characterization based on eigen-twists and eigen-wrenches for the deformation of a compliant mechanism at a given point of interest. For 2-D mechanisms, this involves characterizing the compliance matrix at a unique point called the center of elasticity. At the center of elasticity, the translation and rotational compliances are decoupled. We give an intuitive graphical understanding of compliance at this point by representing the translational compliance as an ellipse and the coupling between the translational and rotational parameters as vectors (Coupling vectors). This representation gives us an intuitive understanding of series and parallel combination of building blocks. We obtain a parametric variation of these quantities for a compliant dyad building block, and show with examples how a mechanism can be synthesized by a combination of building blocks to obtain desired deformation requirements. We also propose a combination of series and parallel concatenation to achieve more than one specification simultaneously. Such a characterization can be extended to synthesize involving multiple ports.

scholarly journals Building block method: a bottom-up modular synthesis methodology for distributed compliant mechanisms

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Krishnan ◽  
C. Kim ◽  
S. Kota
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Load Flow ◽  
Optimization Techniques ◽  
Geometric Representation ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Block Based ◽  
Synthesis Methodology ◽  
Automated Optimization

Abstract. Synthesizing topologies of compliant mechanisms are based on rigid-link kinematic designs or completely automated optimization techniques. These designs yield mechanisms that match the kinematic specifications as a whole, but seldom yield user insight on how each constituent member contributes towards the overall mechanism performance. This paper reviews recent developments in building block based design of compliant mechanisms. A key aspect of such a methodology is formulating a representation of compliance at a (i) single unique point of interest in terms of geometric quantities such as ellipses and vectors, and (ii) relative compliance between distinct input(s) and output(s) in terms of load flow. This geometric representation provides a direct mapping between the mechanism geometry and their behavior, and is used to characterize simple deformable members that form a library of building blocks. The design space spanned by the building block library guides the decomposition of a given problem specification into tractable sub-problems that can be each solved from an entry in the library. The effectiveness of this geometric representation aids user insight in design, and enables discovery of trends and guidelines to obtain practical conceptual designs.

Large Deformation Behavior of Compliant Mechanisms

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyong Joo ◽  
Sridhar Kota ◽  
Noboru Kikuchi
Keyword(s):  
Shape Optimization ◽  
Large Deformation ◽  
Deformation Behavior ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Linear Formulation ◽  
Scaling Effect ◽  
Beam Elements ◽  
Linear And Nonlinear ◽  
Amplification Mechanism

Abstract This paper presents a non-linear formulation for size and shape optimization of compliant mechanisms using tapered beam elements. Designs based on linear and nonlinear formulations are compared using a stroke amplification mechanism example. Also, the scaling effect of the compliant mechanism is investigated.

Design of a Continuum Mechanism that Matches the Movement of an Eight-bar Linkage

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xueao Liu ◽  
J. Michael McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Rigid Body ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Initial Structure ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Kinematic Synthesis ◽  
Generic Structure ◽  
Straight Line

Abstract This paper presents a design methodology for mechanisms consisting of a single continuous structure, continuum mechanisms, that blends the kinematic synthesis of rigid-body mechanisms with topology optimization for compliant mechanisms. Rather than start with a generic structure that is shaped to achieve a required force deflection task for a compliant mechanism, our approach shapes the initial structure based on kinematic synthesis of a rigid body mechanism for the required movement, then the structure is shaped using Finite Element Analysis to achieve the required force deflection relationship. The result of this approach is a continuum mechanism with the same workpiece movement as the rigid link mechanism when actuated. An example illustrates the design process to obtain an eight-bar linkage that guides its workpiece in straight-line rectilinear movement. We show that the resulting continuum mechanism provides the desired rectilinear movement. A 210 mm physical model machined from Nylon-6 is shown to achieve 21.5mm rectilinear movement with no perceived deviation from a straight-line.

A Compliant Mechanism Design Methodology for Coupled and Uncoupled Systems, and Governing Free Choice Selection Considerations

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Midha ◽  
Yuvaraj Annamalai ◽  
Sharath K. Kolachalam
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Mechanism Synthesis ◽  
Strongly Coupled ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Compliant Mechanism Design

Compliant mechanisms are defined as mechanisms that gain some, or all of their mobility from the flexibility of their members. Suitable use of pseudo-rigid-body models for compliant segments, and relying on the state-of-the-art knowledge of rigid-body mechanism synthesis types, greatly simplifies the design of compliant mechanisms. Assuming a pseudo-rigid-body four-bar mechanism, with one to four torsional springs located at the revolute joints to represent mechanism compliance, a simple, heuristic approach is provided to develop various compliant mechanism types. The synthesis with compliance method is used for three, four and five precision positions, with consideration of one to four torsional springs, to systematically develop design tables for standard mechanism synthesis types. These tables appropriately reflect the mechanism compliance by specification of either energy or torque. Examples are presented to demonstrate the use of weakly or strongly coupled sets of kinematic and energy/torque equations, as well as different compliant mechanism types in obtaining solutions.

Load-Flow Based Design of Compliant Mechanisms With Embedded Soft Actuators

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sree Kalyan Patiballa ◽  
Sreeshankar Satheeshbabu ◽  
Girish Krishnan
Keyword(s):  
Embedded System ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Load Flow ◽  
Mechatronic Systems ◽  
Soft Systems ◽  
Single Input Single Output ◽  
Single Output ◽  
Compliant Systems

Abstract Transmission members such as gears and linkages are ubiquitously used in mechatronic systems to tailor the performance of actuators. However, in most bio-inspired soft systems the actuation and transmission members are closely integrated, and sometimes indistinguishable. Embedded actuation is greatly advantageous for attaining high stroke and transferring large output forces. This paper attempts at a systematic synthesis of compliant systems with embedded contractile actuators and passive members to achieve a particular kinematic objective. The paper builds on recent understanding of a compliant mechanism topology where the constituent members can be functionally classified as load transferring transmitters and strain energy storing constraints. The functional equivalence between the transmitter members and actuators are used to replace transmitters in tension with contractile actuators, thus realizing a compliant embedded system. Once a single-input single-output compliant mechanism is designed, and its load flow behavior mapped, systematic guidelines and best practices are established for embedding actuators within the topology to increase performance without altering the kinematic behavior. Several examples, including a prototype that used soft pneumatic artificial muscles is presented to validate the synthesis framework. The initial results will form the basis for designing fully autonomous compliant systems with embedded actuators and sensors without the use of computationally expensive techniques.

Functional Characterization of Compliant Building Blocks Utilizing Eigentwists and Eigenwrenches

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles J. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Building Block ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Deformable Body ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Cases ◽  
Block Approach

Compliant mechanisms are devices which utilize the flexibility of their constituent members to transmit motion and forces. Unlike their rigid body counterparts, compliant mechanisms typically contain no traditional joints. The focus of this research is the development of a building block approach for the synthesis of compliant mechanisms. Building block methods better facilitate the augmentation of designer intuition while offering a systematic approach to open-ended problems. In this paper, we investigate the use of the eigentwists and eigenwrenches of a deformable body to characterize basic kinematic function. The eigentwists and eigenwrenches are shown to demonstrate parametric behavior when applied to the compliant dyad building block, and in special cases may be compared to compliance ellipsoids. The paper concludes by articulating future research in a building block approach to compliant mechanism synthesis.

Conceptual designs of multi-degree of freedom compliant parallel manipulators composed of wire-beam based compliant mechanisms

2014 ◽  
Vol 229 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangbo Hao ◽  
Haiyang Li
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Building Block ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Parallel Mechanisms ◽  
Type Synthesis ◽  
Conceptual Designs ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Block Based

This paper proposes conceptual designs of multi-degree(s) of freedom (DOF) compliant parallel manipulators (CPMs) including 3-DOF translational CPMs and 6-DOF CPMs using a building block based pseudo-rigid-body-model (PRBM) approach. The proposed multi-DOF CPMs are composed of wire-beam based compliant mechanisms (WBBCMs) as distributed-compliance compliant building blocks (CBBs). Firstly, a comprehensive literature review for the design approaches of compliant mechanisms is conducted, and a building block based PRBM is then presented, which replaces the traditional kinematic sub-chain with an appropriate multi-DOF CBB. In order to obtain the decoupled 3-DOF translational CPMs (XYZ CPMs), two classes of kinematically decoupled 3-PPPR (P: prismatic joint, R: revolute joint) translational parallel mechanisms (TPMs) and 3-PPPRR TPMs are identified based on the type synthesis of rigid-body parallel mechanisms, and WBBCMs as the associated CBBs are further designed. Via replacing the traditional actuated P joint and the traditional passive PPR/PPRR sub-chain in each leg of the 3-DOF TPM with the counterpart CBBs (i.e. WBBCMs), a number of decoupled XYZ CPMs are obtained by appropriate arrangements. In order to obtain the decoupled 6-DOF CPMs, an orthogonally-arranged decoupled 6-PSS (S: spherical joint) parallel mechanism is first identified, and then two example 6-DOF CPMs are proposed by the building block based PRBM method. It is shown that, among these designs, two types of monolithic XYZ CPM designs with extended life have been presented.

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