A slender compliant mechanism for back support with non-linear behavior

This work aims to achieve a softening moment-angle response by utilizing compliant parts. The approach uses the principle of contact release, which involves initially prestressed torsional bars arranged in series, separated by rigid bodies. By stepwise activation of the torsional bars, a softening behavior is achieved. Mechanical stops are...

Design of a Nonlinear Stiffness Unit Cell Aided Magnetic Gravity Compensator

A novel nonlinear stiffness unit cell aided magnetic gravity compensator is proposed for the purpose of isolating low-frequency vibrations. A negative stiffness magnet setup is combined with a compliant unit cell with tailored nonlinear force-displacement characteristics. This combination offers a large range of motion featuring low stiffness, a...

Modelling the axis drift of short wire flexures and increasing their support stiffness using polymers

For steel flexures, complex geometries are required to reach high support stiffness and limit axis drift over large ranges of motion. These complex flexures are expensive and difficult to manufacture. This paper presents a method of designing short, polymer wire flexures with high support stiffness and modelling their axis drift using a novel...

Rotational stiffness in compliant mechanisms: theory, method and application

Compliant mechanisms accomplish their function due to the elastic deformation of their elements rather than using the relative motion of rigid bodies. Thereby the drawbacks of sliding friction, including wear and hysteresis are eliminated. Besides that compliant mechanisms allows monolithic production which facilitates cost reduction and...