A Simplified Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model for Fixed-Fixed Flexible Segments

The research presented in this paper focuses on the development of a simplified pseudo-rigid-body model for fixed-fixed flexible segments. The model predicts the path within ten percent of the results obtained from a chain algorithm for beam end angular deflections from negative fifty to fifty degrees and deflections up to sixty percent of the beam length. This error is larger than for pseudo-rigid-body models of other types of flexible segments but is still useful in preliminary design of compliant mechanisms. The model’s major advantage is that the force and moment are decoupled from the link length in the model, allowing the model to be used with traditional kinematic mechanism design and analysis techniques.