Topology optimization of the compliant mechanisms considering curved beam elements using metaheuristic algorithms

Compliant mechanisms use the flexibility of the limbs for movement and are produced monolithic, without any conventional joint. These flexible mechanisms have wide applications in several fields such as sensors, grippers, parallel mechanisms, micro-electro-mechanical systems, high-precision devices, and biomedical and surgery robots. Topology optimization is regarded as one of the most frequently used approaches for designing compliant mechanisms. The present study aimed to develop the ground structure approach by meshing the design domain using curved beam elements. Moreover, it seeks to implement three different metaheuristic algorithms, including the genetic algorithm, the imperialist competition algorithm, and the equilibrium optimizer for the topology optimization problem. The structural analysis of the compliant mechanism is necessary for determining the values of the objective functions for the optimization process. In the present study, the finite element method was used to analyze the obtained compliant mechanism. Based on the results, an optimum compliant mechanism with both straight and curved beam elements had better performance compared with a compliant mechanism with only straight beams.