Use of functional specifications as objective functions in topological optimization of compliant mechanism

Instead of using the concepts of minimum compliance or maximum mutual compl iance, alternative formulation, based on functional specification is propos ed to solve for topology of compliant mechanism. Among mechanical advantage , geometrical advantage and work ratio, one of the functional specification s is posed as objective function while displacement constraint and material constraint are imposed. The topological design of compliant mechanism is t hen solved as a problem of material distribution using spring and SIMP mode l without filtering technique. The solution of this problem is obtained by using the method of moving asymptotes (MMA). The effect of problem formulat ion on final topology of compliant mechanism is then illustrated using two examples and the results are compared against their rigid-body counterparts . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.