Systematic Synthesis of Joint-Less Compliant Mechanisms - Design for No-Assembly (DNA)

该奖项为一类新型无关节机械机构的研究提供了支持。这些机构通过弯曲获得运动和力的放大，被称为柔性机构。该研究将寻求开发适合设计综合的柔顺机构的数学模型，通过构建原型装置，开发一套柔顺机构设计构建模块和材料，以及调查自然界中发生的柔顺机构来验证和演示数学模型。本研究的目标是开发一种设计柔性机构的方法。如果成功，这项研究可能会影响许多机械和机电设备的设计。兼容机制有可能大幅减少机构部件数量，在某些情况下，甚至可以用单个部件取代复杂的机构。特别是在后一种情况下，装配成本的降低可能是实质性的。柔顺机构还具有不需要轴承表面和不需要润滑的进一步优点。因此，尽管它们具有高度的功能，但兼容部件的生产成本往往较低。

This award provides support for research on a new class of jointless mechanical mechanisms. These mechanisms, which obtain motion and force amplification through flexure, are called compliant mechanisms. The research will seek to develop mathematical models of compliant mechanisms suitable for design synthesis, validation and demonstration of the mathematical models through construction of prototype devices, development of a set of compliant mechanism design building blocks and materials, and investigation of compliant mechanisms occurring in nature. A goal of this research is the development of a methodology for the design of compliant mechanisms. If successful, this research could impact the design of many mechanical and electromechanical devices. Compliant mechanisms have the potential to drastically reduce mechanism parts counts and in some cases, replace even complex mechanisms with a single part. Particularly in the latter case, reductions in assembly cost can be substantial. Compliant mechanisms have the further advantages of requiring no bearing surfaces and no lubrication. Thus despite their high degree of functionality, compliant parts may often be less costly to produce.