Synthesis of path generation compliant mechanisms using variable width spline curves

This thesis presents a methodology for the formation of compliant mechanisms (CMs) which generate a specific path (path generation) using spline curves with variable widths. The term path generation in mechanism synthesis is derived as to design a point that traces a prescribed path. The present thesis explains how variable width spline curves represent each connection for the synthesis of compliant mechanisms and the entire synthesized CM is shaped as a set of variable width spline curves. The path generation synthesis of the CM is schematized by defining control parameters of a network of variable width spline curves. Here the variable width spline curve used is a center spline curve which has a flexible perpendicular width. The center spline curve describes the shape while the size of the connection is represented by variable width. Interpolation circles define the shape and size of a variable width spline curve. The diameters of interpolations circles are interpolated for the size of the connections and the locations of interpolation circles are utilized as interpolation nodes for shape description of the connection. Interpolation nodes are the network of nodes formed by the centers of all interpolation circles. These nodes decide the topology of the synthesized CM which is classified based on degree of genus (DOG). The method of synthesis is demonstrated in this paper by developing compliant mechanisms with variable DOGs to generate curved paths