Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges

The kinematic synthesis of compliant mechanisms based on flexure hinges is not an easy task. A commonly used method is the equivalent rigid model, which involves replacing the flexure hinges with rigid bars connected with lumped hinges using the already known methods of synthesis. This way, albeit s...

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Main Authors: Christian Iandiorio, Pietro Salvini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-03-01
Series:Micromachines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/4/783
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author Christian Iandiorio
Pietro Salvini
author_facet Christian Iandiorio
Pietro Salvini
author_sort Christian Iandiorio
collection DOAJ
description The kinematic synthesis of compliant mechanisms based on flexure hinges is not an easy task. A commonly used method is the equivalent rigid model, which involves replacing the flexure hinges with rigid bars connected with lumped hinges using the already known methods of synthesis. This way, albeit simpler, hides some interesting issues. This paper addresses the elasto-kinematics and instantaneous invariants of flexure hinges with a direct approach, making use of a nonlinear model to predict their behaviour. The differential equations that govern the nonlinear geometric response are given in a comprehensive form and are solved for flexure hinges with constant sections. The solution to the nonlinear model is then used to obtain an analytical description of two instantaneous invariants: the centre of instantaneous rotation (c.i.r.) and the inflection circle. The main result is that the c.i.r. evolution, namely the fixed polode, is not conservative but is loading-path dependent. Consequently, all other instantaneous invariants are loading-path dependent, and the property of instantaneous geometric invariants (independent of the motion time law) can no longer be used. This result is analytically and numerically evidenced. In other words, it is shown that a careful kinematic synthesis of compliant mechanisms cannot be addressed by only considering the kinematics as rigid mechanisms, and it is essential to take into consideration the applied loads and their histories.
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spelling doaj.art-6fa7cadc248647d7b993201cc82a338a2023-11-17T20:29:17ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2023-03-0114478310.3390/mi14040783Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure HingesChristian Iandiorio0Pietro Salvini1Department of Enterprise Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Enterprise Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, ItalyThe kinematic synthesis of compliant mechanisms based on flexure hinges is not an easy task. A commonly used method is the equivalent rigid model, which involves replacing the flexure hinges with rigid bars connected with lumped hinges using the already known methods of synthesis. This way, albeit simpler, hides some interesting issues. This paper addresses the elasto-kinematics and instantaneous invariants of flexure hinges with a direct approach, making use of a nonlinear model to predict their behaviour. The differential equations that govern the nonlinear geometric response are given in a comprehensive form and are solved for flexure hinges with constant sections. The solution to the nonlinear model is then used to obtain an analytical description of two instantaneous invariants: the centre of instantaneous rotation (c.i.r.) and the inflection circle. The main result is that the c.i.r. evolution, namely the fixed polode, is not conservative but is loading-path dependent. Consequently, all other instantaneous invariants are loading-path dependent, and the property of instantaneous geometric invariants (independent of the motion time law) can no longer be used. This result is analytically and numerically evidenced. In other words, it is shown that a careful kinematic synthesis of compliant mechanisms cannot be addressed by only considering the kinematics as rigid mechanisms, and it is essential to take into consideration the applied loads and their histories.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/4/783compliant mechanismsinstantaneous invariantsMEMSlarge displacementsnonlinear analysis
spellingShingle Christian Iandiorio
Pietro Salvini
Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges
Micromachines
compliant mechanisms
instantaneous invariants
MEMS
large displacements
nonlinear analysis
title Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges
title_full Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges
title_fullStr Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges
title_full_unstemmed Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges
title_short Elasto-Kinematics and Instantaneous Invariants of Compliant Mechanisms Based on Flexure Hinges
title_sort elasto kinematics and instantaneous invariants of compliant mechanisms based on flexure hinges
topic compliant mechanisms
instantaneous invariants
MEMS
large displacements
nonlinear analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/14/4/783
work_keys_str_mv AT christianiandiorio elastokinematicsandinstantaneousinvariantsofcompliantmechanismsbasedonflexurehinges
AT pietrosalvini elastokinematicsandinstantaneousinvariantsofcompliantmechanismsbasedonflexurehinges