Using the Parts Used to Be Removed to Improve Compliant Joint’s Performance

Compliant mechanisms gain their mobility from the deflection of flexible members. Compliant joints are the basis of compliant mechanisms, their performance has great influence on compliant mechanisms’ characteristics. This paper presents the concept that the parts used to be removed during design and manufacture processes can be retained and redesigned to improve compliant joints’ performance. They are designed specially to help to improve the joints’ ability to resist tension and compression. Some examples are proposed and discussed. 3D models are created and analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA) to verify the design concepts. A benchmark Lamina Emergent Torsional (LET) joint is also analyzed through FEA. The results obtained from FEA confirm the design concepts presented in this paper very well. Some other applications are also proposed and discussed.