Abstract:

From ingenious ancient mechanical devices to incredible modern robots, mechanical devices are likely to continue to influence many aspects of human lives. Design is the basic element of these amazing mechanical devices. If the work is done well during the design phase, using a minimum of power can make for the best effect, and the follow-up electronic circuit and control system can be easily designed. Consequently, many mechanical designers try diligently to standardize every procedure in the design process. In doing so, they can spend less time of preparation and incubation in conceptual design phase.

This master thesis attempts to develop a new process of design, which uses generalized kinematic chains and the operation of a topological matrix to design both planar mechanisms and spatial mechanisms. This process of design can create new mechanisms from existing mechanisms or transfer new design ideas into mechanisms. Ultimately, the intent is to apply this new process of design to mechanisms with both open kinematic chains and closed kinematic chains, analyze the generalized kinematic chains of existing mechanisms, or define specifications of mechanisms by designers, use the operation of a topological matrix to design new mechanisms, and draw mechanisms in SolidWorks and ADAMS to simulate their dynamic motion and prove their feasibility.