A configuration synthesis method of mechanism systems using motion marker sequence and planar cells

We discuss the design synthesis problem of mechanical systems with an examp le of configuration design of chain-type mechanisms. Mechanisms are used as system elements in various products, and each mechanism system is composed of mechanism pairs. In the design process, the functional structure of mec hanisms and their spatial configuration are determined. The former means th e sequential chains of pairs, and the latter means the arrangement and geom etry of mechanism elements. We propose a framework for simultaneously consi dering both issues for designing a certain level of complicated mechanism s ystems. The concepts of market sequences and cell-based planar representati on are introduced to manipulate a design. Each marker corresponds to an abs tracted representation of a particular mechanism element. Each cell corresp onds to a region for such a marker. The computational design process is org anized by generating marker sequences, assigning markers to cells, refining both of them, and embodying the configuration and arrangement of mechanism s. Finally, a prototype CAD system implemented under the proposed concepts is applied to several design examples. In the conclusion, we show the neces sity of fictitious media for representing and computerizing the conceptual and configurational phases of a design process.