Topological and Shape Optimization of Flexure Hinges for Designing Compliant Mechanisms Using the Level Set Method

A flexure hinge is a major component in designing compliant mechanisms that o ers unique possibilities in a wide range of application fields in which high positioning accuracy is required. Although various flexure hinges with di erent configurations have been successively proposed, they are often designed based on designers' experiences and inspirations. This study presents a systematic method for topological optimization of flexure hinges by using the level set method. Optimization formulations are developed by considering the functional requirements and geometrical constraints of flexure hinges. The functional requirements are first constructed by maximizing the compliance in the desired direction while minimizing the compliances in the other directions. The weighting sum method is used to construct an objective function in which a self-adjust method is used to set the weighting factors. A constraint on the symmetry of the obtained configuration is developed. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. The obtained results reveal that the design of a flexure hinge starting from the topology level can yield more choices for compliant mechanism design and obtain better designs that achieve higher performance.

Analysis of the Micro-Rotation Compliant Mechanism Based on the Corner-Filleted Flexure Hinges

The purpose of this thesis is to derive the flexibility formula of the corner-filleted flexure hinge easily and conveniently and use it to design a micro-rotation compliant mechanism. Firstly,we get the corner-filleted flexure hinge flexibility formula by methods of symmetry transformation and coordinates translation. The correctness of this formula is validated on the basis of the finite element method and under the premise that the effects of shear stress are taken into consideration. Then a micro-rotation compliant mechanism is designed in accordance with the corner-filleted flexure hinge,and the deduction and analysis of its working moment/rigidity are conducted. Moreover,this theoretical formula is proved to be accurate and reliable through the finite element analysis and the experimental verification,based on which the structural design and optimization can be made on the rotating part of a micro adjustment device. The results illustrate that designing and optimizing the structures by the analysis model is convenient and reliable so that complicated 3D modeling and finite element analysis are not needed.

Simulation optimal design of a compliant mechanism with circular notch flexure hinges based on the equivalent beam methodology

This paper presents an in-depth study of Equivalent beam model (EBM).Firstly three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA) model for circular flexure hinge developed by Zettl et al.was verified by the comparison with Smith's experimental results and the 3D FEA model was feasible within 5.5% error.Then the accuracy of Timoshenko short-beam due to shear force was verified based on finite element method.The results showed that the EBM has good accuracy within 5% error for 1≤r/t≤3.Finally the EBM methodology was applied for the simulation optimal design of a bridge-type compliant mechanism.The results showed that the EBM methodology has very high numerical efficiency and satisfactory accuracy for simulation optimal design of planar compliant mechanism with flexure hinges.

Reliability Analysis of Flexure Hinge Based on Kriging Method

The uncertainty widely exists in the engineering practice.Therefore,it is necessary to research the effect of uncertainty on the structural system. In this paper,the reliability and sensitivity of the flexure hinge, which is the key component of the compliant mechanisms,are investigated. The results of the reliability analysis can effectively guide the engineer to design and optimize the flexure hinge. In order to improve the calculating efficiency,the kriging method is introduced to estimate the failure probability and reliability sensitivity.

A Novel 2D Piezo-Nanopositioning Stage Based on Triangle Amplifier Mechanism

To satisfy the demand on dynamic performance and load characteristics of piezoelectric actuators in aeronautics and astronautics fields,a novel 2Dpiezo-nanopositioning stage utilizing a triangle amplifier mechanism is proposed.The stage is driven by piezoelectric rhombic units in both X and Ydirections,which is composed of four piezoelectric stacks.Theoretical static model develops the relationships among output force,displacement,static stiffness and the structure parameters of the platform.The experimental results of the prototype show that the output performances in X and Ydirections are similar and both of them are within an 8% deviation from the theoretical values.The stroke of the stage reaches 41.6μm and 42.9μm in Xand Ydirections,respectively,and is directly proportional to the amplitude of the input sinusoidal voltage 10 Hz.Moreover,the nano-positioning stage is featured with bidirectional symmetrical output characteristic and millisecond starting characteristic,whose minimum output displacement step is 50 nm.

A closed-form nonlinear model for spatial Timoshenko beam flexure hinge with circular cross-section

Beam flexure hinges can achieve accurate motion and force control through the elastic deformation. This paper presents a nonlinear model for uniform and circular cross-section spatial beam flexure hinges which are commonly employed in compliant parallel mechanisms. The proposed beam model takes shear deformations into consideration and hence is applicable to both slender and thick beam flexure hinges. Starting from the first principles, the nonlinear strain measure is derived using beam kinematics and expressed in terms of translational displacements and rotational angles. Second-order approximation is employed in order to make the nonlinear strain within acceptable accuracy. The natural boundary conditions and nonlinear governing equations are derived in terms of rotational Euler angles and subsequently solved for combined end loads. The resulting end load-displacement model, which is compact and closed-form, is proved to be accurate for both slender and thick beam flexure using nonlinear finite element analysis. This beam model can provide designers with more design insight of the spatial beam flexure and thus will benefit the structural design and optimization of compliant manipulators.

基于柔性铰链结构的大口径压电快摆镜

为了解决压电作动器驱动的快速反射镜因压电作动器伸长量较小,导致快速反射镜偏转角过小的问题,该文提出了一款新型快速反射镜设计方案。采用三级杠杆式柔性铰链放大机构实现压电作动器位移的放大,采用柔性轴承作为快摆镜的运动关节实现快摆镜的大角度定轴偏转。通过理论推导和有限元仿真对快摆镜的最大偏转角度、等效应力、谐振频率以及振型进行分析。实验结果表明,所设计的快摆镜可以实现大于2 mrad的镜面偏转,满足大范围、高精度的光束定位要求。

基于椭圆形柔性铰链微克级单体式称量机构性能分析与优化

为了提高单体式称量机构的灵敏度,对微克级的单体式称量机构进行性能分析与优化,建立了基于椭圆形柔性铰链称量机构的数学模型;以称量机构的横梁末端位移来评价称量机构的灵敏度,通过在不同部分改变铰链厚度,分别验证椭圆形和圆弧形铰链对称量机构灵敏度的影响。结合Ansys Workbench有限元仿真软件对模型的准确确度进行了验证,给出了针对柔性铰链划分网格时的评价依据,结果表明:模型的最小误差为1.8%;且在1μg载荷下,椭圆形铰链相比于圆弧形增加了0.39 nm的末端位移。

空间四自由度柔顺并联机构设计与仿真

设计了一种由压电陶瓷驱动的整体式空间四自由度柔顺并联定位平台,使用柔性铰链代替传统的运动副,消除了传统机构铰链配合的摩擦与间隙。建立了空间四自由度定位平台的运动学模型,使用三维建模软件建立几何模型。通过计算得到解析结果,并对空间四自由度柔顺并联定位平台进行有限元分析,得到其位移特性。比较理论计算和有限元仿真结果,得出误差在允许范围内,验证了设计的定位平台的可行性。

Notch Flexure as Kirigami Cut for Tunable Mechanical Stretchability towards Metamaterial Application

Kirigami is an art of paper cutting,which can be used in mechanical metamaterials,actuators,and energy absorption based on its deployable and load-deflection characteristics.Traditional cuts with zero width produce undesirable plastic deformation or even tear fracture due to stress concentration in stretching.This study proposes to enlarge the cut width into a notch flexure,which is applied to an orthogonality-cutted kirigami sheet,which buckles out of plane into a 3D configuration patterns under uniaxial tension.The use of compliant beam as the notch makes the stress distribution around the cuts more uniform in both elastic and elastoplastic regime.The experimental and numerical results show that by tuning the geometric parameters of cuts and material properties of the sheets,the trigger condition of 3D patterns can be adjusted.Potential capability of tunable phononic wave propagation in this kirigami-inspired metamaterial is demonstrated.This design methodology offers a theoretical guide for kirigami-based structures.

椭圆横断截面新型双轴柔性铰链设计及分析

现有同位正交复合缺口双轴柔铰存在矩形横断截面锐边结构,增大了应力集中效应,且无法通过优化纵向缺口轮廓来消除。为此,提出一类椭圆横断截面新型双轴柔铰。首先以圆弧缺口为对象,构建该类柔铰的参数化结构模型;然后基于卡氏第二定理建立其柔度及最大应力理论模型,通过有限元分析验证模型的有效性,基于此,实现了柔度及应力集中特性分析;最后通过实验测试验证了柔铰的柔度性能。结果表明,椭圆横断截面型双轴柔铰具备两向各异柔度,可从本质上避免锋利锐边结构,降低应力集中效应,与具有相同缺口结构的矩形横断截面型双轴柔铰相比,工作能力可提高47.9%,该类柔铰结构拓展了现有缺口型柔铰的基本类型。

正交柔顺矢量测力系统的设计和性能分析

针对多分支正交柔顺矢量测力系统的设计难题,提出了梁连接单元模拟测力元件的方法;采用该方法建立了测力分支及矢量测力系统的有限元模型,并对6种分支形式和平面布局形式进行了结构特点分析。在此基础上,结合矢量测力系统案例,通过有限元模型进行参数详细设计,最终获得了结构紧凑且耦合较小的方案。对台架的3个载荷分量(轴向力、法向力、俯仰力矩)进行了校准试验,其中,校准的不确定度均在0.5%满量程(Full Scale,FS)左右。针对大载荷矢量测力系统加载精度对校准测量的影响较大的问题,提出了基于载荷与测量比值的性能评估方法,采用该方法,得到设计的矢量测力系统的3个分量的测量重复性在0.4%FS左右,大量程测量滞后性在0.7%FS以内。研究成果对于正交矢量测力系统的结构设计和性能分析具有一定的参考意义。

一种可驱动两种类型转子的环型压电驱动器

为了满足微电机的多向运动需求,研究了一种可双向运动的压电驱动器,并对其性能进行了设计和分析。该驱动器可以驱动直线型和圆筒型两种动子,适用于多种工作环境。首先阐述了压电驱动器的基本结构和原理,建立了驱动器模型,然后用有限元方法分析了压电驱动器的变形模式。经实验验证,压电驱动器的最佳工作频率为2.27 kHz,最佳驱动电压幅值为150 V。在该激励信号下,直线型压电驱动器的最大速度达到249 mm/s,最大负载能力为20 N。该压电驱动器能够实现双向运动和稳定输出。

柔性铰链机构设计方法的研究进展

柔性机构历经20年的发展已成为现代机构学一个重要分支,并在精密工程、机器人等领域得到了广泛应用。虽然涌现了一系列柔性机构设计方法与理论,但柔性机构的设计问题仍面临着挑战。主要针对柔性机构在精微领域的应用,从方法和技术的角度全面地概述柔性机构的研究进展。从宏观上对当前几种主流的柔性机构分析与及设计方法(包括伪刚体模型法、结构矩阵法、约束设计法、旋量理论拓扑综合法、模块法、结构优化设计法等)进行总结与比较,按照柔性机构的设计流程详述柔性机构在单元建模、构型综合、机构分析以及尺度综合等方面的国内外研究进展,对柔性机构设计理论的发展进行展望。

基于动力学性能的全柔性机构优化设计

全柔性机构是一种新型机构,多应用在精密定位场合。为保证该机构具有很高的定位精度和较强的抗环境干扰能力,仅以静力学性能作为指标进行机构的优化设计是不足以满足要求的,还需要对机构的动力学性能进行优化。研究以一具体的全柔性机构为例,给出一种基于机构动力学性能的结构优化设计方法。为此首先建立了该机构的动力学理论模型,为保证结果的准确性,还进行了有限元模拟;在设计过程中,同时考虑到了机构的静态特性与动态特性。该方法可有效地完成机构的尺度综合。

全柔性机构与MEMS

柔性机构是一种新型机构。首先描述了柔性机构和全柔性机构的概念及特点 ,论述了它们与MEMS之间的关系。然后详细介绍了全柔性机构在 MEMS领域内包括微装配、微操作等应用背景下的状况及前景。最后就对全柔性机构研究中的几个关键技术问题如机构的分析、设计及加工 ,柔性铰链的选择与设计 ,驱动器的选择及设计等进行了探讨。

基于伪刚体模型法的全柔性机构位置分析

柔性机构是一种依靠构件元素的弹性变形传输所希望运动的机构。具有集中柔度的全柔性机构是其中的一种类型，其特征是机构中传统形式的铰链全部被柔性铰链所代替。对它的研究，近年来也已成为一个热点。为探索这类全柔性机构的运动学问题，首先建立起柔性铰链变形刚度模型。在此基础上，提出了一种扩展的伪刚体模型法，很好地解决了机构的位置正、反解问题。

3自由度柔性微机器人的静刚度分析

柔性微机器人要求具有很高的定位精度，而其静刚度在很大程度上决定着这一指标。针对目前对柔性微机器人静刚度分析中存在的不足，采用了结构分析中的柔度矩阵法：首先建立起机构中柔性单元的柔度模型，同时通过不同坐标系间的转换和单元节点处位移协调方程和力平衡方程的建立，递推出机器人末端相对参考坐标系下的静刚度矩阵。最后，以3自由度并联柔性微机器人为实例分析了该机器人的静刚度。分析表明：利用柔度矩阵法分析柔性微机器人运动学问题不仅便于计算，更接近柔性机构的本质。

直角柔性铰链的力学特性

为了深入分析精密传动用柔性铰链的机械性能,在研究常用结构形式柔性铰链力学特性的基础上,对变形敏感的直角柔性铰链的力学特性进行了分析.建立了直角柔性铰链空间力学模型,推导了空间刚度矩阵表达式.在此基础上,从柔性铰链基本结构尺寸等方面研究了影响柔性铰链刚度性能的因素,研究发现影响柔性铰链变形性能的刚度系数与柔性铰链几何尺寸参数和构成柔性铰链材料的弹性模量密切相关.研究表明,当柔性铰链的有效长度增加或材料的弹性模量降低时,其各方面的刚度系数均有不同程度的降低.研究工作对深入分析柔性铰链力学特性、优化设计压电驱动器结构,提高其综合性能具有一定的意义.

应用于压电叠堆泵的微位移放大机构

提出了一种应用于压电叠堆泵的微位移放大机构,该机构以压电叠堆(积层式压电微位移器)为驱动元件,通过基于三角形放大原理的柔性铰链放大机构,放大压电叠堆的输出位移。同时,设计、研制了实验装置,并在试制样机上对其静、动态特性进行了实验。实验测试结果表明:该机构对压电叠堆输出位移的放大倍数达到5倍,并且该机构具有线性良好、高分辨率、高频响应等特点。由有限元分析得到的固有频率达到了1.8 kHz,实际测量的固有频率为1.5 kHz。