Design and Analysis of Comb-shaped Flexure Joint

Abstract

Abstract: Part of the challenge in designing LEMs (Lamina Emergent Mechanisms) comes in designing the suitable flexure joints. A new Comb-shaped flexure joint was proposed and its structure was designed. The equivalent stiffness of the Comb-shaped flexure joint was presented. By theoretical calculation and finite element simulation analysis of the design example, the correctness of the calculation formula and simulation models was verified. Meanwhile, the equivalent stiffness of the new joint in large angular displacement can still maintain a linear relationship. The strength of the design example was checked in the case of the maximum angular displacement of the joint. Tension stiffness and torsion stiffness of the joint was also simulated and analyzed. The bending stiffness and tension stiffness were compared among the comb-shaped flexure joint, IT-LEJ joint and LET joint.

Key words: LEMs, compliant mechanisms, comb-shaped flexure joint, equivalent stiffness, finite element analysis

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