Abstract
Abstract. The synthesis of compliant mechanisms yield optimized topologies that combine several stiff parts with highly elastic flexure hinges. The hinges are often represented in finite element analysis by a single node (one-node hinge) leaving doubts on the physical meaning as well as an uncertainty in the manufacturing process. To overcome this one-node hinge problem of optimized compliant mechanisms' topologies, one-node hinges need to be replaced by real flexure hinges providing desired deflection range and the ability to bear internal loads without failure. Therefore, several common types of planar flexure hinges with different geometries are characterized and categorized in this work providing a comprehensive guide with explicit analytical expressions to replace one-node hinges effectively. Analytical expressions on displacements, stresses, maximum elastic deformations, bending stiffness, center of rotation and first natural frequencies are derived in this work. Numerical simulations and experimental studies are performed validating the analytical results. More importance is given to practice-oriented flexure hinge types in terms of cost-saving manufacturability, i.e. circular notch type hinges and rectangular leaf type hinges.
Highlights
In order to create machine tools for small scale applications, compliant mechanisms (CM) have become more popular in the last years competing against rigid body systems connected by conventional pin joints
Some techniques exist circumventing this critical issue, e.g. Poulsen (2002), Yoon et al (2004) or Sigmund (2009), a more consequent way is to use the already known data from the finite element calculation used in the topology optimization process
Since nodal displacements for a given topology are known, the required deflection range and nodal forces are available without additional costs, as well
Summary
In order to create machine tools for small scale applications, compliant mechanisms (CM) have become more popular in the last years competing against rigid body systems connected by conventional pin joints. Since nodal displacements for a given topology are known, the required deflection range and (internal) nodal forces are available without additional costs, as well These information can be used to replace one-node hinges with real flexure hinges that meet the deflection and load bearing requirements as a result of their specific shape, dimension and material data. These information can be used to replace one-node hinges with real flexure hinges that meet the deflection and. For the synthesis of compliant mechanisms it is crucial to characterize and categorize individual flexure hinges in terms 2of Othbejier cmtievcehsanical properties as a result of geometric shape and material data. It remains unchanged throughout this publication, the analytical formulas hold for other isotropic materials as well
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