Kinematic modeling and optimal design of a partially compliant four-bar linkage using elliptic integral solution. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Ke; Liu, Haitao; Yue, Wei; Xiao, Juliang; Ding, Yabin; Wang, Guofeng
• Is Part Of: Mechanism and machine theory. Volume 157(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Compliant mechanism -- Four-bar linkage -- Combined flexible beam -- Flexible joint -- Large deflection; Machine theory -- Periodicals; Machinery -- Periodicals; Machines -- Périodiques; Génie mécanique -- Périodiques; Machine theory; Machinery; Periodicals; 621.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2020.104214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-114X

Abstract

Highlights: An equivalent mechanism to describe the large-deflection motion of a compliant four-bar linkage is proposed. Kinematics and strain energy are derived by the elliptic integral solution. A compliant four-bar linkage for preserving the output path of a rigid four-bar linkage is optimized. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified by numerical simulation and experiment. Abstract: This paper deals with the kinematic modeling and optimal design of compliant mechanisms with one flexible joint designed from a rigid four-bar linkage. An equivalent mechanism is proposed to describe the large-deflection motion of a compliant four-bar linkage. In light of the elliptic integral solution, the kinematics and strain energy of the compliant four-bar linkage are derived and verified by a numerical comparison study. Then, by taking the path deviation and strain energy as two objectives, the multi-objective optimization problem is solved at a given initial configuration of the rigid mechanism, followed by a discussion of the best initial configuration where the rigid joint is replaced by elastic flexures. Both the finite element analysis and experimental verification are carried out. The results show that the output motion of the optimized compliant mechanism matches the desired path very well, which demonstrates the feasibility of designing compliant mechanisms by this approach.