Stress Analysis of a Metallic-Reinforced, Small-Length Flexural Pivot Compliant Segment using the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model (PRBM)

Abstract

A method based on the pseudo-rigid-body model (PRBM) is presented for the analysis of stress in metallic-reinforced, small-length flexural pivot (SLFP) compliant segments, subjected to end loads or displacement boundary conditions. The analysis method provides the designer with a tool to ensure that stress levels are maintained that are appropriate for the intended application and materials of construction. Simplified equations for stress are presented for both homogeneous polymer and metallic-reinforced composite segments, where the reinforcement shares a neutral axis with a polymer casing. The method is exemplified with two case studies, one, a homogeneous compliant segment, and, two, the segment reinforced with spring steel. The introduction of metallic reinforcement increases the flexural rigidity, but does not reduce the bending stress in the casing of a small-length flexural pivot unless the cross-sectional thickness is reduced. This vein of research is undertaken using metallic reinforcement (inserts) toward the development of a new class of compliant mechanisms with significantly greater performance, particularly insofar as the problems of fatigue and creep are concerned.

Meeting Name

ASME 2017 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2017 (2017: Aug. 6-9, Cleveland, OH)

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Design; Mechanisms; Metals; Reinforcement; Rigid structures; Stress analysis; Compliant segment; Displacement boundary conditions; Homogeneous polymers; Materials of constructions; Metallic reinforcements; Pseudo-rigid-body models; Reinforced composites; Small-length flexural pivot; Compliant mechanisms

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-0-7918-5817-2

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2017 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 2017

Link to Full Text

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