Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms by Use of Different Polynomial Flexure Hinge Contours

This paper presents the application of different polynomial flexure hinge contours in one compliant mechanism in order to increase both simultaneously the precision and the stroke of the output motion of compliant mechanisms. The contours of the flexure hinges are optimized in dependency of the required elasto-kinematic properties of the mechanism. This new approach for optimization is described in comparison to the use of identical common hinge contours. Based on previously optimized single polynomial flexure hinges, the validity of proposed guidelines is analyzed for a combination of several flexure hinges in two compliant mechanisms for linear point guidance. The rigid-body models of both mechanisms realize an approximated straight line as output motion. The compliant mechanisms are designed through the rigid-body replacement method and with different polynomial flexure hinges with orders varying from 2 to 16. The multi-criteria optimization is performed by use of non-linear FEM simulations. The derived values for the kinematic output parameters are compared for the ideal model and the optimized compliant mechanism. The results are discussed and conclusions for ongoing research work are drawn.