Extensions of spring model approach for continuum-based topology optimization of compliant mechanisms

摘要

Spring Model approach for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms has been extended to include simultaneous multiple output formulation, taking into account the workpiece interaction at different output ports. Functional specifications including Mechanical Advantage, Geometric Advantage and Mechanical Efficiency are used as objective functions while material and behavior constraints are imposed. A new constraint is formulated to restrict the motion at the output port in a direction perpendicular to the desired motion direction. SIMP material interpolation scheme is used. A topology optimization software tool has been developed with ANSYS as the linear FE solver and globally convergent MMA as the optimization solver. Several optimal mechanism designs have been obtained, analyzed in ANSYS and some of them have been manufactured in microscale and tested.