Origami Kaleidocycle-Inspired Symmetric Multistable Compliant Mechanisms

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongchuan Zhang ◽  
Benliang Zhu ◽  
Xianmin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Arbitrary Number ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Rotation Angle ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Mobility Analysis ◽  
Stable States ◽  
Deployable Structures ◽  
Basic Dimension ◽  
Metamorphic Robots

Compliant kaleidocycles can be widely used in a variety of applications, including deployable structures, origami structures, and metamorphic robots, due to their unique features of continuous rotatability and multistability. Inspired by origami kaleidocycles, a type of symmetric multistable compliant mechanism with an arbitrary number of units is presented and analyzed in this paper. First, the basic dimension constraints are developed based on mobility analysis using screw theory. Second, the kinematic relationships of the actual rotation angle are obtained. Third, a method to determine the number of stabilities and the position of stable states, including the solution for the parameterized boundaries of stable regions, is developed. Finally, experimental platforms are established, and the validity of the proposed multistable mechanisms is verified.

Analysis of Parasitic Motion in Compliant Mechanisms Using Eigenwrenches and Eigentwists

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner W. P. J. van de Sande ◽  
Just L. Herder
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Compliance Matrix ◽  
Parasitic Motion ◽  
Actual Degree ◽  
Motion Metrics ◽  
Mechanism Kinematic ◽  
Kinematic Information

Parasitic motion is undesired in precision mechanisms, it causes unwanted kinematics. These erroneous motions are especially apparent in compliant mechanisms. Usually an analysis of parasitic motion is only valid for one type of mechanism. Kinematic information is imbedded in the compliance matrix of any mechanism; an eigenscrew decomposition expresses this kinematic information as screws. It uses screw theory to identify the lines along which a force yields a parallel translation and a rotation yields a parallel moment. These lines are called eigenwrenches and eigentwists. Any other load on the compliant mechanism will lead to parasitic motion. This article introduces two parasitic motion metrics using eigenscrew decomposition: the parasitic resultant from an applied screw and the deviation of an actual degree of freedom from a desired degree of freedom. These metrics are applicable to all compliant mechanism and allow comparison between two compliant mechanisms. These metrics are applied to some common compliant mechanisms as an example.

scholarly journals A Screw Theory Approach for the Type Synthesis of Compliant Mechanisms With Flexures

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Jun Su ◽  
Denis V. Dorozhkin ◽  
Judy M. Vance
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Type Synthesis ◽  
Precision Engineering ◽  
Pattern Design ◽  
Design Constraint ◽  
Systematic Formulation

This paper presents a screw theory based approach for the type synthesis of compliant mechanisms with flexures. We provide a systematic formulation of the constraint-based approach which has been mainly developed by precision engineering experts in designing precision machines. The two fundamental concepts in the constraint-based approach, constraint and freedom, can be represented mathematically by a wrench and a twist in screw theory. For example, an ideal wire flexure applies a translational constraint which can be described a wrench of pure force. As a result, the design rules of the constraint-based approach can be systematically formulated in the format of screws and screw systems. Two major problems in compliant mechanism design, constraint pattern analysis and constraint pattern design are discussed with examples in details. This innovative method paves the way for introducing computational techniques into the constraint-based approach for the synthesis and analysis of compliant mechanisms.

scholarly journals Mobility and Constraint Analysis of Interconnected Hybrid Flexure Systems Via Screw Algebra and Graph Theory

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Sun ◽  
Jonathan B. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Graph Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Mobility Analysis ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Constraint Analysis ◽  
Computationally Expensive ◽  
Precision Motion ◽  
Automated Tool ◽  
General Method

This paper introduces a general method for analyzing flexure systems of any configuration, including those that cannot be broken into parallel and serial subsystems. Such flexure systems are called interconnected hybrid flexure systems because they possess limbs with intermediate bodies that are connected by flexure systems or elements. Specifically, the method introduced utilizes screw algebra and graph theory to help designers determine the freedom spaces (i.e., the geometric shapes that represent all the ways a body is permitted to move) for all the bodies joined together by compliant flexure elements within interconnected hybrid flexure systems (i.e., perform mobility analysis of general flexure systems). This method also allows designers to determine (i) whether such systems are under-constrained or not and (ii) whether such systems are over-constrained or exactly constrained (i.e., perform constraint analysis of general flexure systems). Although many flexure-based precision motion stages, compliant mechanisms, and microarchitectured materials possess topologies that are highly interconnected, the theory for performing the mobility and constraint analysis of such interconnected flexure systems using traditional screw theory does not currently exist. The theory introduced here lays the foundation for an automated tool that can rapidly generate the freedom spaces of every rigid body within a general flexure system without having to perform traditional computationally expensive finite element analysis. Case studies are provided to demonstrate the utility of the proposed theory.

scholarly journals A Screw Theory Approach for the Conceptual Design of Flexible Joints for Compliant Mechanisms

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Jun Su ◽  
Denis V. Dorozhkin ◽  
Judy M. Vance
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Computational Techniques ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Flexible Joints ◽  
Precision Engineering ◽  
Design Constraint ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
Prismatic Joints

This paper presents a screw theory based approach for the analysis and synthesis of flexible joints using wire and sheet flexures. The focus is on designing flexure systems that have a simple geometry, i.e., a parallel constraint pattern. We provide a systematic formulation of the constraint-based approach, which has been mainly developed by precision engineering experts in designing precision machines. The two fundamental concepts in the constraint-based approach, constraint and freedom, can be represented mathematically by a wrench and a twist in screw theory. For example, an ideal wire flexure applies a translational constraint, which can be described by a wrench of pure force. As a result, the design rules of the constraint-based approach can be systematically formulated in the format of screws and screw systems. Two major problems in compliant mechanism design, constraint pattern analysis, and constraint pattern design are discussed with examples in details. Lastly, a case study is provided to demonstrate the application of this approach to the design of compliant prismatic joints. This innovative method paves the way for introducing computational techniques into the constraint-based approach for the synthesis and analysis of compliant mechanisms.

A Framework and Design Sythesis Tool Used to Generate, Evaluate and Optimize Compliant Mechanism Concepts for Research and Education Activities

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin L. Culpepper ◽  
Soohyung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Mems Accelerometer ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Mechanism Research ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
New Research ◽  
Student Projects

In 2002, a Microsoft-MIT iCampus effort was initiated to generate methods and tools which accelerate the process by which students and researchers acquire perspective and skill in compliant mechanism design: (1) Experience and skill: A synthesis tool, CoMeT, was developed as a means for researchers and students to gain experience and skill in working with old (education) and new (research) compliant mechanisms. The simulator is based on compliance theory and screw theory. (2) Perspective: A framework, the 5 Fs, was developed to help designers form a holistic perspective on compliant mechanisms. A “big picture” view helps them systematically identify and link the important elements of a compliant mechanism problem. This opens to door for them to properly conceptualize, model and fabricate these mechanisms. In this paper we discuss the work of early compliant mechanism/instrument designers to gain insight into how they thought about, designed and taught others about compliant mechanisms. We explain how their work has influenced the development of our framework and simulator. We then show results obtained by using the framework and simulator at MIT in: (1) Compliant mechanism research: Generation of a compliant mechanism for an R&D 100 award winning, six-axis Nanomanipulator. (2) Compliant mechanism education: Use within student projects to design two devices: A compliant x-y Nanomanipulator with 30×30 μm range and a MEMS accelerometer. Both devices are designed, fabricated and tested in a semester-long class. The paper closes with an appendix which highlights the main steps of a CoMeT study on the screw axis characteristics of a four bar compliant mechanism. The CoMeT simulator and a CoMeT User’s Guide have been made publicly available for academic use at psdam.mit.edu.

Mobility Analysis of Interconnected Hybrid Flexure Systems Using Screw Algebra and Graph Theory

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Sun ◽  
Jonathan B. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Graph Theory ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Mobility Analysis ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Computationally Expensive ◽  
Precision Motion ◽  
Automated Tool ◽  
General Method

This paper introduces a general method for determining the mobility analysis of flexure systems of any complexity, including those that can’t be broken into parallel and serial flexure subsystems. Such systems are called interconnected hybrid flexure systems because they possess limbs with intermediate bodies that are connected by flexure systems or elements. The method in this paper utilizes screw algebra and graph theory to enable designers to determine the freedom spaces (i.e., the geometric shapes that represent all the ways a body is permitted to move) for all the bodies joined together by compliant flexure elements within interconnected hybrid flexure systems. Although many flexure-based precision motion stages, compliant mechanisms, and microarchitectured materials possess topologies that are highly interconnected, the theory for performing a mobility analysis of such interconnected flexure systems using traditional screw theory does not currently exist. The theory introduced here lays the foundation for an automated tool that can rapidly generate the freedom spaces of every rigid body within a general flexure system without having to perform traditional computationally expensive finite element analysis. Case studies are provided in the paper to demonstrate the utility of the proposed theory.

Structure Synthesis of 3-RRS Type Spatial Compliant Parallel Manipulator

2010 ◽  
Vol 44-47 ◽  
pp. 1375-1379
Author(s):  
Da Chang Zhu ◽  
Li Meng ◽  
Tao Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Manipulator ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Parallel Manipulators ◽  
Robot System ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Structure Synthesis ◽  
Rigid Joints ◽  
Type 3

Parallel manipulators has been extensively studied by virtues or its high force-to-weight ratio and widely spread applications such as vehicle or flight simulator, a machine tool and the end effector of robot system. However, as each limb includes several rigid joints, assembling error is demanded strictly, especially in precision measurement and micro-electronics. On the other hand, compliant mechanisms take advantage of recoverable deformation to transfer or transform motion, force, or energy and the benefits of compliant mechanisms mainly come from the elimination of traditional rigid joints, but the traditional displacement method reduce the stiffness of spatial compliant parallel manipulators. In this paper, a new approach of structure synthesis of 3-DoF rotational compliant parallel manipulators is proposed. Based on screw theory, the structures of RRS type 3-DoF rotational spatial compliant parallel manipulator are developed. Experiments via ANSYS are conducted to give some validation of the theoretical analysis.

Bistable Compliant Four-Bar Mechanisms With a Single Torsional Spring

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adarsh Mavanthoor ◽  
Ashok Midha
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Mechanism Design ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Stored Energy ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Bistable Behavior ◽  
Torsional Spring ◽  
Bistable Mechanism

Significant reduction in cost and time of bistable mechanism design can be achieved by understanding their bistable behavior. This paper presents bistable compliant mechanisms whose pseudo-rigid-body models (PRBM) are four-bar mechanisms with a torsional spring. Stable and unstable equilibrium positions are calculated for such four-bar mechanisms, defining their bistable behavior for all possible permutations of torsional spring locations. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and simulation is used to illustrate the bistable behavior of a compliant mechanism with a straight compliant member, using stored energy plots. These results, along with the four-bar and the compliant mechanism information, can then be used to design a bistable compliant mechanism to meet specified requirements.

Design of a Generic Zero Stiffness Compliant Joint

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Femke M. Morsch ◽  
Just L. Herder
Keyword(s):  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Optimized Design ◽  
Analytic Model ◽  
Total Potential ◽  
Fea Model ◽  
Compliant Joint ◽  
Joint Element ◽  
Cross Axis

The objective of this paper is to design a generic zero stiffness compliant joint. This compliant joint could be used as a generic construction element in a compliant mechanism. To avoid the spring-back behavior of conventional compliant joints, the principle of static balancing is applied, implying that for each position of the joint the total potential energy should be constant. To this end, a conventional balanced mechanism, consisting of two pivoted bodies which are balanced with two zero-free-length springs, is taken as an initial concept. The joint is replaced by a compliant cross-axis flexural pivot and each spring is replaced by a pair of compliant leaf springs. For both parts an analytic model was implemented and a configuration with the lowest energy fluctuation was found through optimization. A FEA model was used to verify the analytic model of the optimized design. A prototype was manufactured and tested. Both the FEA model and the experiment confirm the reduction of the needed moment to rotate the compliant joint. The experiment shows the balanced compliant joint is not completely balanced but the moment required to rotate the joint is reduced by 70%. Thus, a statically balanced compliant generic joint element was designed which bears great promise in designing statically balanced compliant mechanisms and making this accessible to any designer.

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