Compliant Mechanical Amplifier Design using Multiple Optimally Placed Actuators

The paper discusses a methodology for designing compliant mechanisms with piezoelectric actuation to obtain maximized deflection and force at output. The focus is on design of compliant mechanisms with multiple optimally placed and sized piezoelectric actuators. Thus the number, length and position of actuators in the body of the compliant mechanism are optimized in addition to maximizing the output deflection and force. Results demonstrate that compliant mechanisms with multiple, optimally placed actuators outperform those with a single actuator placed at a predetermined location.Copyright © 2003 by ASME