Design of adaptive structures by kinematic synthesis of mechanisms

Abstract

Parallel to the development of material science and computer technologies, adaptive structures and smart building components have become the demand of contemporary architecture. However, in order to design adaptive systems, basic knowledge on kinematic synthesis is needed. This paper introduces the fundamental principles of the kinematic synthesis of mechanisms and expresses the potential structural uses of common mechanisms. For this purpose, main concepts of the mechanisms are introduced and types of kinematic synthesis are explored by the help of innovative examples. In this context, firstly, type synthesis methods are explained. Second step covers the path generation rules, and the final step includes the design of multi-loop and chain mechanisms. During the explanation of the aforementioned principles, innovative adaptive structures which are designed by the authors are introduced as well. These structures are all derived from common planar and spatial mechanisms such as four-bar linkages, Watt mechanisms, scissor systems, Bennett linkages and different multi-loop mechanisms. © 2013 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.