Configuration design sensitivity analysis of kinematic responses of mechanical systems

A continuum-based configuration design sensitivity analysis method is presented for kinematically driven mechanical systems. Configuration design variable for mechanical systems are defined. The 3-1-3 Euler angle is used as the orientation design variable. The reassembly process for a mechanical system after a configuration design change is eliminated by imposing kinematic admissibility conditions of the velocity field. The direct differentiation method is used to derive design sensitivity equations. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method.