Development of the methodology for conceptual design of mechanisms

This paper presents the process of research work on developing a unique methodology for the conceptual design of mechanisms, based on the proposed theoretical concepts of generalization and specialization of generalized kinematic chains along with practical needed design requirements and constraints for engineering applications, by the author and his research group over the past years (1980-2010). The topic was initiated in 1980. The methodology for mechanisms with close chains was developed in the 1980s, with rare accepted publications. It was extended for mechanisms with open and variable chains in the 1990s, with several journal publications and a book. The achievements of the work have been gradually recognized and awarded by the academia since the 2000s.