A Fully Compliant Constant Velocity Universal Joint

Author(s):  
D. Farhadi Machekposhti ◽  
N. Tolou ◽  
J. L. Herder

This paper presents the concept and fabrication of a large deflection compliant Constant Velocity universal joint (CV joint). A novel compliant structure is proposed based on the 6R Hybrid spatial overconstrained linkage. Due to symmetry, its kinematic properties are such that can transfer rotational motion between two angled shafts with true constant velocity. The kinematic of the mechanism and the Pseudo-Rigid-Body model of its compliant configuration are studied and analyzed. A prototype was manufactured and experimentally evaluated. It was verified that the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical expectations.

Author(s):  
Larry L. Howell ◽  
Ashok Midha

Abstract Compliant mechanisms gain some or all of their mobility from the flexibility of their members rather than from rigid-body joints only. More efficient and usable analysis and design techniques are needed before the advantages of compliant mechanisms can be fully utilized. In an earlier work, a pseudo-rigid-body model concept, corresponding to an end-loaded geometrically nonlinear, large-deflection beam, was developed to help fulfill this need. In this paper, the pseudo-rigid-body equivalent spring stiffness is investigated and new modeling equations are proposed. The result is a simplified method of modeling the force/deflection relationships of large-deflection members in compliant mechanisms. Flexible segments which maintain a constant end angle are discussed, and an example mechanism is analyzed. The resulting models are valuable in the visualization of the motion of large-deflection systems, as well as the quick and efficient evaluation and optimization of compliant mechanism designs.


Author(s):  
Larry L. Howell ◽  
Ashok Midha

Abstract The analysis of systems containing highly flexible members is made difficult by the nonlineararities caused by large deflections of the flexible members. The analysis and design of many such systems may be simplified by using pseudo-rigid-body approximations in modeling the flexible members. The pseudo-rigid-body model represents flexible members as rigid links, joined at pin joints with torsional springs. Appropriate values for link lengths and torsional spring stiffnesses are determined such that the deflection path and force-deflection relationships are modeled accurately. Pseudo-rigid-body approximations have been developed for initially straight beams with externally applied forces at the beam end. This work develops approximations for another fundamental type of flexible member, the initially curved beam with applied force at the beam end. This type of flexible member is commonly used in compliant mechanisms. An example of the use of the resulting pseudo-rigid-body approximations in compliant mechanisms is included.


1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 280-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Howell ◽  
A. Midha

Compliant or flexible-link mechanisms gain some or all of their motion from the relative flexibility of their joints rather than from rigid-body joints only. Unlike rigid-body mechanisms, energy is not conserved between the input and output ports of compliant mechanisms because of energy storage in the flexible members. This effect and the nonlinearities introduced by large deflections complicate the analysis of such mechanisms. The design of compliant mechanisms in industry is currently accomplished by expensive trial and error methods. This paper introduces a method to aid in the design of a class of compliant mechanisms wherein the flexible sections (flexural pivots) are small in length compared to the relatively rigid sections. The method includes a definition and use of a pseudo-rigid-body model, and the use of a large-deflection finite element type algorithm. An example is used to illustrate the design technique described.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry L. Howell ◽  
Christopher M. DiBiasio ◽  
Michael A. Cullinan ◽  
Robert M. Panas ◽  
Martin L. Culpepper

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be used to create nanoscale compliant mechanisms that possess large ranges of motion relative to their device size. Many macroscale compliant mechanisms contain compliant elements that are subjected to fixed-clamped boundary conditions, indicating that they may be of value in nanoscale design. The combination of boundary conditions and large strains yield deformations at the tube ends and strain stiffening along the length of the tube, which are not observed in macroscale analogs. The large-deflection behavior of a fixed-clamped CNT is not well-predicted by macroscale large-deflection beam bending models or truss models. Herein, we show that a pseudo-rigid-body model may be adapted to capture the strain stiffening behavior and, thereby, predict a CNT’s fixed-clamped behavior with less than 3% error from molecular simulations. The resulting pseudo-rigid-body model may be used to set initial design parameters for CNT-based compliant mechanisms. This removes the need for iterative, time-intensive molecular simulations during initial design phases.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Howell ◽  
A. Midha ◽  
T. W. Norton

Compliant mechanisms gain some or all of their mobility from the flexibility of their members rather than from rigid-body joints only. More efficient and usable analysis and design techniques are needed before the advantages of compliant mechanisms can be fully utilized. In an earlier work, a pseudo-rigid-body model concept, corresponding to an end-loaded geometrically nonlinear, large-deflection beam, was developed to help fulfill this need. In this paper, the pseudo-rigid-body equivalent spring stiffness is investigated and new modeling equations are proposed. The result is a simplified method of modeling the force/deflection relationships of large-deflection members in compliant mechanisms. The resulting models are valuable in the visualization of the motion of large-deflection systems, as well as the quick and efficient evaluation and optimization of compliant mechanism designs.


2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (05) ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. B. DOMA ◽  
M. M. AMIN

The single particle Schrödinger fluid is applied to study the rotational motion of independent nucleon systems. Accordingly, we have applied the description of this Schrödinger fluid to the calculations of the moments of inertia of the axially deformed nuclei. As examples for the application of this concept to the calculations of the nuclear moments of inertia we have calculated the cranking-model, the rigid body-model and the equilibrium moments of inertia of the axially deformed nuclei 24 Mg , 25 Al , 27 Al , 183 W and 238 Pu . The variations of the moments of inertia of these nuclei with the deformation parameter β have also been given.


Author(s):  
Scott M. Lyon ◽  
Mark S. Evans ◽  
Paul A. Erickson ◽  
Larry L. Howell

Abstract The pseudo-rigid-body modeling technique is used to simplify the nonlinear analysis of compliant mechanisms. This paper presents the first work that investigates the possibility of using the pseudo-rigid-body model to predict the dynamic response of compliant mechanisms. Four different configurations of the parallel-guiding mechanism are modeled and tested, as well as two configurations of compliant straight-line mechanisms. The model predictions of the first natural frequencies were compared with experimental results for all six mechanism configurations. The model predictions are within 9% of the experimental results for all cases.


Author(s):  
Carl A. Nelson

A compliant suspension linkage based on the Peaucellier mechanism is presented. The suspension uses large-deflection viscoelastic beams to achieve straight-line motion and to provide energy dissipation. Kinematics and force analysis of the linkage are presented. In preparing to simulate the system dynamics, it was noticed that no adaptation of the pseudo-rigid body model for viscoelastic beams had been previously presented. Therefore, a new general approach for modeling viscoelastic, large-deflection beams in compliant mechanisms is described within the context of the pseudo-rigid-body model. This method is applied in simulation of the Peaucellier-based compliant suspension under a variety of input conditions.


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