Synthesis through Topology Optimization

An approach for synthesizing compliant mechanisms using topology optimization to meet particular functional needs is described. Topology optimization techniques are especially useful when the designer does not have a particular compliant mechanism already in mind and can also be used to augment intuition-based or experience-based compliant mechanism designs. Topology optimization is used to design a flexible structure with a specified output displacement in response to the input force. There have been a number of formulations developed to handle the tradeoff between flexibility and stiffness in compliant mechanism design. There are two main approaches to parameterization for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms: the ground structure approach and the continuum approach. Various optimization solution algorithms are used in conjunction with compliant mechanism topology design.