A novel one-degree-of-freedom translational partly compliant mechanism with variable motion direction. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Du, Junjie; Zhang, Xianmin; Zhang, Hongchuang; Zhu, Benliang; Zhong, Weijian
• Is Part Of: Mechanism and machine theory. Volume 171(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Partly compliant mechanism -- Variable motion direction -- Compliance modeling; Machine theory -- Periodicals; Machinery -- Periodicals; Machines -- Périodiques; Génie mécanique -- Périodiques; Machine theory; Machinery; Periodicals; 621.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2021.104695
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-114X

Abstract

Abstract: This study presents the design and analysis of a one-degree-of-freedom (DOF) translational partly compliant mechanism (TPCM) with variable motion direction. The variable motion direction is achieved by using rigid-body internal DOFs to change the poses of flexure beams. The use of rigid-body internal DOFs overcomes the small deflection limit of compliant joints and enables continuous changes in the motion direction. First, a simplified model is developed through mobility analysis and shows that the motion direction of the proposed TPCM can be changed continuously in a spatial manner. Then, the compliance ratio is obtained by decomposing the compliance matrix. It shows that the compliance ratio drops quickly near the singularity and that the motion direction should be limited. Finite element analysis and experiments are conducted to evaluate the design. Highlights: A TPCM with variable motion direction is designed. The motion direction of the TPCM and its accuracy are analyzed. The variable motion direction property of the TPCM is verified.