Limitations in the Use of Small-Length Flexural Pivot in a Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vamsi Lodagala ◽  
Krutika Karthik ◽  
Ashok Midha
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Elliptic Integral ◽  
Length Ratio ◽  
Segment Length ◽  
Small Length ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Rigid Segment

This paper investigates the effective use of the pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) of a small-length flexural pivot (SLFP), examining its very definition, and providing helpful guidelines in the context of a compound compliant beam composed of both compliant and rigid segments. Traditionally, for convenience in modeling, the pseudo-rigid-body model of the small-length flexural pivot assumes the characteristic pivot to be placed at the center of the SLFP. It is also suggested that the length of the adjacent rigid segment is ten or more times larger than the length of the compliant segment. In recent times, a growing interest has been expressed to test this assumption and learn more about its limitations. This paper investigates the performance of the PRBM of the SLFP, for initially straight and initially curved compound compliant beams by varying the compliant to rigid segment length ratio. The error, defined by comparing the PRBM deflections with those obtained from the closed-form elliptic integral method, may be assigned an acceptable value in determining the limit value of the segment length ratio. Plots of the maximum deflection that may be obtained within an error limit of 3%, for various segment length ratios of a fixed-free, compound compliant beam are provided.

Closed-Form Elliptic Integral Solution of Initially-Straight and Initially-Curved Small-Length Flexural Pivots

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Midha ◽  
Raghvendra Kuber
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Closed Form ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Elliptic Integral ◽  
Small Length ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Elliptic Integral Method ◽  
Integral Solutions ◽  
Made In

Compliant mechanisms gain some or all of their mobility from the deflection of their flexible members. The pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) concept allows compliant mechanisms to be modeled using existing knowledge of rigid-body mechanisms, thereby, simplifying the design process. A pseudo-rigid-body model represents a compliant segment with two or more rigid-body segments, connected by pin joints or characteristic pivots. A compliant segment that is small in length, compared to the relatively rigid segments between which it is affixed, is termed a small-length flexural pivot (SLFP). This paper presents closed-form deflection solutions using the elliptic integral method for initially-straight and initially-curved SLFPs. The assumptions made in modeling the small-length flexural pivots in a PRBM are validated by means of the elliptic integral solutions.

A Simple and Accurate Method for Determining Large Deflections in Compliant Mechanisms Subjected to End Forces and Moments

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 392-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Saxena ◽  
S. N. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Elliptic Integral ◽  
Beam Equation ◽  
Large Deflections ◽  
Euler Beam ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis

Compliant members in flexible link mechanisms undergo large deflections when subjected to external loads. Because of this fact, traditional methods of deflection analysis do not apply. Since the nonlinearities introduced by these large deflections make the system comprising such members difficult to solve, parametric deflection approximations are deemed helpful in the analysis and synthesis of compliant mechanisms. This is accomplished by representing the compliant mechanism as a pseudo-rigid-body model. A wealth of analysis and synthesis techniques available for rigid-body mechanisms thus become amenable to the design of compliant mechanisms. In this paper, a pseudo-rigid-body model is developed and solved for the tip deflection of flexible beams for combined end loads. A numerical integration technique using quadrature formulae has been employed to solve the large deflection Bernoulli-Euler beam equation for the tip deflection. Implementation of this scheme is simpler than the elliptic integral formulation and provides very accurate results. An example for the synthesis of a compliant mechanism using the proposed model is also presented.

Development of a Methodology for Pseudo-Rigid-Body Models of Compliant Beams With Inserts, and Experimental Validation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Midha ◽  
Raghvendra S. Kuber ◽  
Sushrut G. Bapat
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Elliptic Integral ◽  
Creep Recovery ◽  
Design Problems ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Current State ◽  
Material Usage ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Rigid Body Model

Compliant mechanisms have shown a great deal of potential, in just a few decades of its development, in providing innovative solutions to design problems. However, their use has been limited due to challenges associated with the materials. With ever increasing focus on the applications of compliant mechanisms, it is necessary to find alternatives to the existing material usage and methods of prototyping. This paper presents a methodology for the design of compliant segments and compliant mechanisms with improved creep resistance and fatigue life properties using the current state-of-the-art materials. The methodology proposes using a stronger material at the core of a softer casing. The paper provides an equivalent pseudo-rigid-body model and a closed-form elliptic integral formulation for a fixed-free compliant segment with an insert. The equivalent pseudo-rigid-body model is verified experimentally for the prediction of beam end point displacements. The paper also presents experimental results that show improvements obtained in the creep recovery properties as expected using the proposed design philosophy.

Stress Analysis of a Metallic-Reinforced, Small-Length Flexural Pivot Compliant Segment Using the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model (PRBM)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Crews ◽  
Ashok Midha ◽  
Lokeswarappa R. Dharani
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Flexural Rigidity ◽  
Spring Steel ◽  
Small Length ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Displacement Boundary ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Metallic Reinforcement

A method based on the pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) is presented for the analysis of stress in metallic-reinforced, small-length flexural pivot (SLFP) compliant segments, subjected to end loads or displacement boundary conditions. The analysis method provides the designer with a tool to ensure that stress levels are maintained that are appropriate for the intended application and materials of construction. Simplified equations for stress are presented for both homogeneous polymer and metallic-reinforced composite segments, where the reinforcement shares a neutral axis with a polymer casing. The method is exemplified with two case studies, one, a homogeneous compliant segment, and, two, the segment reinforced with spring steel. The introduction of metallic reinforcement increases the flexural rigidity, but does not reduce the bending stress in the casing of a small-length flexural pivot unless the cross-sectional thickness is reduced. This vein of research is undertaken using metallic reinforcement (inserts) toward the development of a new class of compliant mechanisms with significantly greater performance, particularly insofar as the problems of fatigue and creep are concerned.

A Simple and Accurate Method for Determining Large Deflections in Complaint Mechanisms Subjected to End Forces and Moments

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Saxena ◽  
Steven N. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Numerical Integration ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Beam Equation ◽  
Integration Scheme ◽  
Large Deflections ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis

Abstract Compliant members in flexible link mechanisms undergo large deflections when subjected to external loads for which, traditional methods of deflection analysis do not apply Nonlinearities introduced by these large deflections make the system comprising such members difficult to solve Parametric deflection approximations are then deemed helpful in the analysis and synthesis of compliant mechanisms This is accomplished by seeking the pseudo-rigid-body model representation of the compliant mechanism A wealth of analysis and synthesis techniques available for rigid-body mechanisms thus become amenable to the design of compliant mechanisms In this paper, a pseudo-rigid-body model is developed and solved for the tip deflection of flexible beams for combined end loads with positive end moments A numerical integration technique using quadrature formulae has been employed to solve the nonlinear Bernoulli-Euler beam equation for the tip deflection Implementation of this scheme is relatively simpler than the elliptic integral formulation and provides nearly accurate results Results of the numerical integration scheme are compared with the beam finite element analysis An example for the synthesis of a compliant mechanism using the proposed model is also presented.

Evaluation of Equivalent Spring Stiffness for Use in a Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model of Large-Deflection Compliant Mechanisms

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry L. Howell ◽  
Ashok Midha
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Large Deflection ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Spring Stiffness ◽  
Model Concept ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Body Joints

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.

Parametric Deflection Approximations for Initially Curved, Large-Deflection Beams in Compliant Mechanisms

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry L. Howell ◽  
Ashok Midha
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Large Deflection ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Curved Beam ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Fundamental Type ◽  
Applied Forces ◽  
Flexible Member

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.

Compliant Pantographs via the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Nielson ◽  
Larry L. Howell
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Rigid Link ◽  
Body Model ◽  
Design Flexibility ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Rigid Body Model ◽  
Classical Mechanism

Abstract This paper uses a familiar classical mechanism, the pantograph, to demonstrate the utility of the pseudo-rigid-body model in the design of compliant mechanisms to replace rigid-link mechanisms, and to illustrate the advantages and limitations of the resulting compliant mechanisms. To demonstrate the increase in design flexibility, three different compliant mechanism configurations were developed for a single corresponding rigid-link mechanism. The rigid-link pantograph consisted of six links and seven joints, while the corresponding compliant mechanisms had no more than two links and three joints (a reduction of at least four links and four joints). A fourth compliant pantograph, corresponding to a rhomboid pantograph, was also designed and tested. The test results showed that the pseudo-rigid-body model predictions were accurate over a large range, and the mechanisms had displacement characteristics of rigid-link mechanisms in that range. The limitations of the compliant mechanisms included reduced range compared to their rigid-link counterparts. Also, the force-deflection characteristics were predicted by the pseudo-rigid-body model, but they did not resemble those for a rigid-link pantograph because of the energy storage in the flexible segments.

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