Bistable Compliant Mechanism Using Magneto Active Elastomer Actuation

Author(s):  
Adrienne Crivaro ◽  
Rob Sheridan ◽  
Mary Frecker ◽  
Timothy W. Simpson ◽  
Paris von Lockette

In the emerging field of origami engineering, it is important to investigate ways to achieve large deformations to enable significant shape transformations. One way to achieve this is through the use of bistable mechanisms. The goal in this research is to investigate the feasibility and design of a compliant bistable mechanism that is actuated by magneto active elastomer (MAE) material. The MAE material has magnetic particles embedded in the material that are aligned during the curing process. When exposed to an external field, the material deforms to align the embedded particles with the field. We investigate actuation of the MAE material through the development of finite element analysis (FEA) models to predict the magnetic field required to snap the device from its first stable position to its second for various geometries and field strengths. The FEA model also predicts the displacement of the center of the mechanism as it moves from one position to the other to determine if the device is in fact bistable. These results help show the relationship between the substrate properties and the bistability of the device. Experimental results validate the FEA models and demonstrate the functionality of active materials to be used as actuators for such devices and applications of origami engineering.

2010 ◽  
Vol 29-32 ◽  
pp. 1181-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Kun Zhou ◽  
Ya Fei Lu ◽  
Da Peng Fan ◽  
Zhi Yong Zhang ◽  
Lian Chao Zhang

A novel compliant linear buffer mechanism (CLBM) is designed for impact isolation. In view of the incompatible relationship between frequency characteristic and parasitic error of compliant linear mechanism, the mixed compliant linear mechanism(MCLM) is proposed by combining the Lumped Compliant Mechanism(LCM) and the Distributed Compliant Mechanism(DCM).The topology matrices for four kinds of parallelogram linear compliant mechanisms are built through the method of type synthesis. The characteristic polynominal (CP) for the compliant mechanism matrices[CM] are calculated for the isomorphism detection of compliant mechanism. The finite element analysis (FEA) model of these four kinds of linear compliant mechanism is built to complete numerical analysis on the structure frequency and parasitic error with different sizes, and the relationship between the frequency characteristic and parasitic error of the compliant linear mechanism is found out. MatlabTM software is used to obtain the functional formulas by the method of polynomial curve fitting (PCF) for The FEA results show that the structure configuration of MCLM can achieve a higher structure frequency and a greater kinetic precision over the pure LCM and DCM at the same time, and also indicates that the analysis method of frequency characteristic and parasitic error for compliant mechanism is efficient and should be effective on the structure optimization of the novel CLBM.


Author(s):  
Adarsh Mavanthoor ◽  
Ashok Midha

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.


Author(s):  
Zhongtian Xie ◽  
Lifang Qiu

Compliant constant-force mechanisms (CFM) are a type of compliant mechanism which produce a reaction force at the output port that does not change for a large range of input motion. This paper describes a new compliant CFM, introduces its design and configuration-improvement process. A finite element analysis (FEA) model of the compliant CFM was created to evaluate its constant force behavior. The FEA result shows that when the displacement is Δ = 4 mm, the compliant CFM maintains a nearly constant force in the operational displacement range of 1.31 mm to 4 mm with an error of 5.05%. The operational range accounts for 67% of the total motion. This compliant CFM can be used to regulate the contact force of a robot end-effector or as an electrical connector.


Micromachines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Chen ◽  
Zilong Deng ◽  
Siya Hu ◽  
Jinhai Gao ◽  
Xingjun Gao

The existing symmetrical microgrippers have larger output displacements compared with the asymmetrical counterparts. However, the two jaws of a symmetrical microgripper are less unlikely to offer the same forces on the two sides of a grasped micro-object due to the manufacture and assembly errors. Therefore, this paper proposes a new asymmetric microgripper to obtain stable output force of the gripper. Compared with symmetrical microgrippers, asymmetrical microgrippers usually have smaller output displacements. In order to increase the output displacement, a compliant mechanism with four stage amplification is employed to design the asymmetric microgripper. Consequently, the proposed asymmetrical microgripper possesses the advantages of both the stable output force of the gripper and large displacement amplification. To begin with, the mechanical model of the microgripper is established in this paper. The relationship between the driving force and the output displacement of the microgripper is then derived, followed by the static characteristics’ analysis of the microgripper. Furthermore, finite element analysis (FEA) of the microgripper is also performed, and the mechanical structure of the microgripper is optimized based on the FEA simulations. Lastly, experimental tests are carried out, with a 5.28% difference from the FEA results and an 8.8% difference from the theoretical results. The results from theoretical calculation, FEA simulations, and experimental tests verify that the displacement amplification ratio and the maximum gripping displacement of the microgripper are up to 31.6 and 632 μm, respectively.


Author(s):  
Qingsong Xu

This paper presents the design and analysis a flexure-guided compliant micropositioning stage with constant force and large stroke. The constant force output is achieved by combining a bistable flexure mechanism with a positive-stiffness flexure mechanism. In consideration of the constraint of conventional tilted beam-based bistable mechanism, a new type of bistable structure based on tilted-angle compound parallelogram flexure is proposed to achieve a larger range of constant force output while maintaining a compact physical size. To facilitate the parametric design of the flexure mechanism, analytical models are derived to quantify the stage performance. The models are verified by carrying out nonlinear finite-element analysis. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ideas for a long-stroke, constant-force compliant mechanism dedicated to precision micropositioning applications.


2011 ◽  
Vol 462-463 ◽  
pp. 990-995
Author(s):  
Zhen Shi Li ◽  
Mamtimin Gheni ◽  
Lie Yu

In this paper, the APDL programming language provided by ANSYS software is used to build the parametric modeling of Periodic Symmetric Struts Support (PSSS), which is provide convenience and necessary preparations for the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and save much time and effort during the preprocess analysis. At first, the positional parameters and size parameters of PSSS are analyzed, and find out the relationship between main parameters, and identify the parameter equations. Then, build the struts support model and edit the parameter equations by APDL language. Finally, the producing process of different kind of struts support models are implemented by changing main parameters and provide the necessary conditions for preprocess of FEA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 168781401987954
Author(s):  
Volkan Parlaktaş ◽  
Engin Tanık ◽  
Çağıl Merve Tanık

In this article, a novel fully compliant spherical four-bar mechanism is introduced and its generalized design methodology is proposed. The original fully compliant mechanism lies on a plane at the free position (undeflected position); therefore, it has the advantages of ease of manufacturing, minimized parts, and no backlash. First, the mobility conditions of the mechanism are obtained. The dimensions of the mechanism are optimally calculated for maximum output rotation, while keeping the deflection of flexural hinges at an acceptable range. Using an optimization method, design tables are prepared to display the relationship between arc lengths and corresponding deflections of flexural hinges. Input–output torque relationship and stresses at compliant segments are obtained analytically. A mechanism dimensioned by this novel design method is analyzed by a finite element analysis method, and the analytical results are verified. Finally, the mechanism is manufactured and it is ensured that the deflections of the compliant segments are consistent with the theoretical results.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1024 ◽  
pp. 147-150
Author(s):  
Yunas Jumril ◽  
Mohd. Said Muzalifah ◽  
Yeop Majlis Burhanuddin ◽  
Badariah Bais

In this study, mechanical characteristic of flexible polymer membrane embedded with nanomagnetic particles is analyzed using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3. The mechanical properties of the membrane is studied by considering the magnetic particles as matrix structures embedded inside the polymer. The target of this work is to realize a new type of magnetic actuator that is able to generate a strong magnetic field and has large mechanical deformation capability as well. On the other hand, the flexible membrane properties should be optically paternable and display very high magnetic sensitivity. Therefore the study is focused not only to analyze the membrane properties but also the technique to fabricate the membrane for MEMS actuator. In this work, the magnetic force acting on the membrane, the length and height of the membrane, and the total volume of Ni particles were set to be constant. A good agreement between simulation and calculation on maximum membrane deformation without particle content was observed. It is shown that by having Ni particles embedded in polymer membrane, the deformation capability was greatly increased up to 30.9 μm. Therefore this study has proven that the smaller size of the magnetic particles with the planar structure arrangement and homogenous distribution of embedded particles can enhance larger membrane deformation. The fabrication concept of the membrane and material synthesis are also introduced. The results obtained in this study will have an important role in the development of electromagnetic actuator for fluids injector integrated in Lab-on-Chip system.


Author(s):  
Elaine Sung ◽  
Anil Erol ◽  
Mary Frecker ◽  
Paris von Lockette

Magneto-active elastomers (MAEs) are polymers with magnetic particles that are capable of aligning with an external magnetic field; this self-alignment ability is one reason why MAEs can be used as actuators for folding or bending in origami engineering. The focus of this paper is on experimental characterization and finite element modeling of an MAE folding accordion structure. The goal is to understand the relationships among the applied magnetic field, displacement of the structure during actuation, and the resultant reaction force generated. This relationship is important for applications where force generation caused by the actuation of MAE structures is required. Data show that force increases with increasing magnetic field, and the work done by the structure can also be calculated by integrating the force. Good agreement between the finite element analysis and experimental data is shown. Future methods for improving experimentation and modeling are discussed based on the results.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingsong Xu

To overcome the constraint of conventional tilted beam-based bistable mechanism, this paper proposes a novel type of bistable structure based on tilted-angle compound parallelogram flexure to achieve a larger stroke of negative stiffness region while maintaining a compact physical size. As an application of the presented bistable mechanism, a flexure constant-force micropositioning stage is designed to deliver a large stroke. The constant force output is obtained by combining a bistable flexure mechanism with a positive-stiffness flexure mechanism. To facilitate the parametric design of the flexure mechanism, analytical models are derived to quantify the stage performance. The models are verified by carrying out nonlinear finite-element analysis (FEA). A metal prototype is fabricated for experimental study. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ideas for a long-stroke, constant-force compliant mechanism dedicated to precision micropositioning applications. Experimental results also show the appearance of two-stage constant force due to the manufacturing errors of the bistable beams.


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