A unified finite element framework for the dynamic analysis of controlled flexible mechanisms

This paper proposes a unified formalism for the simulation of mechatronic systems
with complex flexible mechanisms. The equations of motion are formulated using a nonlinear Finite Element approach for the mechanism, and the block diagram language for the control system. The set of strongly coupled equations of motion is constructed numerically, and integrated in the time domain using the generalized-alpha method. Convergence and stability properties are thus guaranteed for the simulation algorithm. Two illustrative examples are treated in the fields of vehicle dynamics and robotics respectively.