Application of metaheuristic algorithms in the dimensional synthesis of a hybrid rigid-flexible four-bar linkage for open-path generation

Abstract

Hybrid rigid-flexible mechanisms are very current due to their good characteristics, but due to the complexity of the design process, they are less common than traditional ones, both in practice and in the literature. When designing hybrid mechanisms, the methods developed to design compliant mechanisms are most often practiced, while dimensional synthesis is applied sporadically. Therefore, this paper will focus on the problem of dimensional synthesis of a hybrid four-bar mechanism for open-path generation. The input link of the hybrid mechanism is flexible and represented as a fixed continuum rod of constant curvature. To solve the considered problem, four modern metaheuristic algorithms were applied: DE, MPA, SHADE-WOA and DE-MPA. The analysis of the efficiency of the applied algorithms was performed through four different examples of dimensional synthesis of the hybrid four-bar linkage for open-path generation. Similar to the case of the optimal synthesis of a traditional mechanism with rigid links, the application of metaheuristic algorithms in hybrid mechanisms achieved satisfactory results, which was confirmed by a corresponding comparative analysis.