Dynamic modeling and analysis of hinged compliant beam mechanisms for pulse-activated bistable actuators. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ortega, Alejandro; Ahuett-Garza, Horacio
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Volume 229:Number 3(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 303
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Compliant mechanism -- bistable actuator -- electromagnetic linear actuator -- electromechanical simulation -- coupled multiphysics; Machinery, Dynamics of -- Periodicals; Machine design -- Periodicals; 621.815
• DOI: 10.1177/1464419314562263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4193

Abstract

This work presents a novel coupled multiphysics dynamic analytic model of a linear bistable actuator activated by an electromagnetic pulse. The model consists of a set of coupled differential equations that describe the dynamics of the interaction between the forces and masses of the actuator and the electromagnetic fields used to cause motion, including parameters from the electromagnetic excitation source, the hinged compliant mechanism, and the inertial elements of the actuator. The mathematical models are solved numerically to predict the output motion of the actuator over time, and to study the effects produced by variations in material properties, dimensions and excitation source parameters on displacement output and other actuator physical parameters such as the excitation current. A physical prototype of an actuator was designed and built to validate predictions made by the models. The prototype successfully drives the mass of the system from the first to the second stable equilibrium with estimated input source parameters. The modeling technique can be applied to other devices in which their mechanical and electromagnetic sections can be represented by closed analytical expressions.