This paper investigates the drawbacks of typical flexure connectors and presents several new designs for highly effective, kinematically well-behaved compliant joints. A revolute and a translational compliant joint are proposed, both of which offer great improvements over existing flexures in the qualities of (1) a large range of motion, (2) minimal “axis drift,” (3) increased off-axis stiffness, and (4) a reduced stress-concentrations. Analytic stiffness equations are developed for each joint and parametric computer models are used to verify their superior stiffness properties. A catalog of design charts based on the parametric models is also presented, allowing for rapid sizing of the joints for custom performance. A joint range of motion has been calculated with finite element analysis, including stress concentration effects.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
design engineering, universal joints, finite element analysis, mechanical engineering computing
Topics:
Design, Stiffness, Finite element analysis
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Copyright © 2005
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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