Abstract
Compliant mechanisms generated by traditional topology optimization methods have linear output response, and it is difficult for traditional methods to implement mechanisms having non-linear output response. To design a complaint mechanism having a specified nonlinear output path, a two-stage design method based on topology and shape optimization is constructed here. In the first stage, topology optimization generates an initial compliant mechanism based on ordinary design conditions, with "additional" constraints that are used to control the output path at the second stage. In the second stage, an initial model for the shape optimization is created, based on the result of the topology optimization, and the additional constraints are replaced by spring elements. The shape optimization is then executed by using parameters that represent the outer shape of the model and the properties of spring elements as design variables, to generate a detailed shape of the compliant mechanism having the desired output path.
