Simulated Annealing Algorithm for Modeling Large Deflection of Flexible Links in Complaint Mechanisms

Modeling large deflection of flexible link using Pseudo-Rigid-Body (PRB) models plays an important role in compliant mechanisms since these models are helpful for analyzing and synthesizing kinematics and dynamics of compliant mechanisms. However, one of major challenges is how to improve of the model for modeling large deflection of compliant mechanisms. This paper presents a methodology for determining the optimal characteristic radius parameters and stiffness coefficients of PRB model for modeling large deflection of flexible links based on a simulated annealing algorithm. The new objective function is built by the evaluation of the difference between the tip point and the slope angle of the flexible link and the model. The results demonstrate that the optimal parameters are used in the proposed model to increase the accuracy of the PRB model.