A configuration space approach to the automatic design of multiple-state mechanical devices

Most existing work on mechanical design automation has been focused on sing le-state design problems. We explore a new method that solves multiple-stat e design problems. The proposed method uses the configuration space (Cspace ) as the basis to represent the behaviours of kinematic pairs, which are th e basic building blocks from which more complex design is synthesized. Prev ious work in Cspace approaches are limited to the retrieval or innovation o f a single kinematic pair as the design solution, We extend the Cspace appr oach to generate design solutions that consists of either a chain or a netw ork of multiple kinematic pairs. An experimental program called ADCS has be en implemented to verify the feasibility of the proposed design methodology . Design examples generated by ADCS are used to illustrate the major steps involved in the design synthesis process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.