Topology optimization of three-translational degree-of-freedom spatial compliant mechanism

• Main Authors: Dachang Zhu, Yanping Feng, Wanghu Zhan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2019-02-01
• Series: Advances in Mechanical Engineering
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814019828228

Considering that the Jacobian matrix maps the velocity of the joint space of the robot to the end velocity of the Cartesian space, a novel topology optimization approach is proposed in this article for the design of three-translational degree-of-freedom spatial compliant mechanisms by combining the optimized Jacobian mapping matrix with the solid isotropic material with penalization topological method. First, by using the condition number method, the structural parameters of Universal-Prismatic-Universal (UPU)-type parallel prototype manipulator are optimized, and then, the differential Jacobian mapping matrix is calculated by using equivalent infinitesimal method. Second, comparing with the driver configuration and twist/wrench constraint conditions of the UPU-type parallel prototype manipulator, the topological algorithm combining solid isotropic material with penalization with optimized Jacobian mapping matrix is proposed. Finally, a novel spatial compliant mechanism with three-translational degree-of-freedom is derived, and numerical simulation results are reported to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.