Robust and Reliability-based Design Optimization of Electromagnetic Actuators Using Heterogeneous Modeling with COMSOL Multiphysics and Dynamic Network Models

H. Neubert[1], A. Kamusella[1], and T-Q. Pham[2]
[1]Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
[2]OptiY e. K. Aschaffenburg, Germany
Published in 2010

For an exemplary electromagnetic actuator used to drive a Braille printer, a design optimization was performed. The optimization involves stochastic variables and comprises nominal optimization, robustness analysis and robust design optimization. A heterogeneous model simulates the static and the dynamic behavior of the actuator and its non-linear load. It consists of a network model in SimulationX and a static magnetic FEA model in COMSOL Multiphysics. The network model utilizes lookup tables of the magnetic force and the flux linkage computed by the FEA model. The optimization tool OptiY controls the design variables of the models during the optimization and the stochastic analysis. In order to reduce the computational effort we used response surfaces instead of the system model in all stochastic analysis and optimization steps. This allows Monte-Carlo simulations to be applied. The optimization itself uses gradient-based algorithms.