Spanning Tree Based Topological Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

In graph theory, spanning trees connect all the vertices together using minimum number of edges. A topological optimization method of compliant mechanisms is presented based on spanning tree theory. A valid topology is regarded as a network connecting input, output, support and intermediate nodes, which contains at least one spanning tree among the introduced nodes. Invalid disconnected topologies can be weeded out if no spanning tree is included. No further deformation analysis and performance evaluation is needed for invalid disconnected topologies. Problem-dependent objectives are optimized for topological optimization of compliant mechanisms. Constraints about maximum input displacement and input force, maximum stress and overlapping connections are directly imposed during the optimization process. The discrete optimization problem is solved by genetic algorithm with penalty function handling constraints. An example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed optimization procedure.