Chain Algorithm For Solving Large Deflection And Its Application In Compliant Mechanisms’ Analysis

Compliant mechanisms that have many potential advantages such as reduced partnumber, reduced wear, and diminished backlash and error, are widely used in somespecial industries and everyday life. Many flexible links in compliant mechanismsundergo large deflection, which brings geometric nonlinearity, so the analysis anddesign of the compliant mechanisms faces a huge challenge. A simple and effectivemethod of analysis of large deflection, so-called chain algorithm, is developed in thispaper, which details the basic idea and the methods of application.Firstly, the basic idea and implementation procedure of the chain algorithm arediscussed, and the specific measures of combination the chain algorithm with the loadincrement technique and the end iteration are proposed in order to improve the accuracyof the result computed, which could cover the shortage of using chain algorithm.Secondly, taking solving cantilever beam under displacement loads as an example, themethod of using chain algorithm to solve the beam is elaborated with adopting thetheory of shooting method, and the impact on the algorithm by the different form ofloads is commentated. Then through the analysis to a partially compliant mechanism,the property that the convergence of the algorithm could be promoted by changing theload is figured, and the test of the correctness of using chain algorithm to solve largedeformation is also did by the analysis in ANSYS and of using elliptic integral method.Finally, the bistable-characters of Young bistable mechanism is analyzed by applyingchain algorithm after learning its kinematics characters, through setting constraintequation and satisfying boundary conditions by shooting method. After the comparisonbetween the results gotten from chain algorithm and ANSYS, we can conclude that it isreasonable to use chain algorithm to solve compliant mechanism.