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.
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March 1996
Research Papers
Evaluation of Equivalent Spring Stiffness for Use in a Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model of Large-Deflection Compliant Mechanisms
L. L. Howell,
L. L. Howell
Mechanical Engineering Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602-4138
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A. Midha,
A. Midha
School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1288
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T. W. Norton
T. W. Norton
Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN 37662
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L. L. Howell
Mechanical Engineering Department, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602-4138
A. Midha
School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1288
T. W. Norton
Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN 37662
J. Mech. Des. Mar 1996, 118(1): 126-131 (6 pages)
Published Online: March 1, 1996
Article history
Received:
February 1, 1994
Revised:
August 1, 1995
Online:
December 11, 2007
Citation
Howell, L. L., Midha, A., and Norton, T. W. (March 1, 1996). "Evaluation of Equivalent Spring Stiffness for Use in a Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model of Large-Deflection Compliant Mechanisms." ASME. J. Mech. Des. March 1996; 118(1): 126–131. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2826843
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