In this study, a methodology for creative mechanism design is developed with several systematized steps using kinematic chains and depth-first search at type synthesis procedure and using optimal design method at dimensional synthesis procedure. This methodology is presented for the generation of all possible design concepts of mechanisms with required topological characteristics. The sterategy of depth-first search is very efficient because the number of mechanisms increases explosively when the number of links is increases. The high-velocity elevator door mechanism is used as an example to illustrate this methodology. The systematized steps are as follows:
1. This methodology consists of design motivations and objectives, analysis of existing mechanisms, problem definition, enumeration of kinemaitc chains, selection of kinematic chains, possible mechanisms, dimensional synthesis process.
2. In the stage of existing mechanism analysis, the systematic process that the existing mechanism is transformed into contracted graph for depth-first search is suggested.
3. In the stage of selection of kinematic chains, the selection of driving and transmitting, and following parts is introduced for systematically applying functional requirements.
From the study, 29 possible mechanisms for high-velocity elevator door mechanism were found and one of them was dimensionally synthesized to improve some of its functions. The methodology using kinematic chains is applicated also to 10-link one degree of freedom kinematic chains.
