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Continuum-based design of selectively compliant mechanisms taking into account large deformations

Subject Area Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
Term from 2017 to 2024
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 398231358
 
Final Report Year 2025

Final Report Abstract

There are intensive research efforts to develop topology optimization-based synthesis methods for compliant mechanisms (CM), which - analogous to conventional mechanisms - are specifically designed to realize a desired kinematics or desired deformations. Simplifying linear assumptions (small distortions and linear-elastic material behavior) are often made. Even in this case, the design of CM is challenging, as their deformation is dependent on applied loads (hereinafter referred to as transverse loads). If in practice other load cases are applied than those considered in the synthesis, it may no longer be possible to ensure the desired deformations. This problem was successfully solved with the participation of the applicant through the development of modal approaches that enable synthesis independent of transverse load. CM that generate a deformation that is almost independent of the transverse load are referred to as CM with selective compliance. In the course of the first funding period, a new, more robust modal approach was developed. The new modal approach can design CM whose kinematics approximate those of conventional mechanisms with mobility 1 and higher (hereafter referred to as pseudo-mobility). However, the approach is based on linear assumptions. In practice, CM are subject to large deformations, which is why the linear assumptions are not sufficient and non-linearities (in particular large distortions, also known as geometric non-linearity) must always be considered. For this reason, the modal approach was extended to nonlinear assumptions during the second funding period. The non-linear CM designed are intended to be path-generating CM. For these, a desired deformation path between the initial and final state is optimized, which can be precisely controlled. These extensions provide a powerful tool that enables the synthesis of complex CM.

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