This paper presents a generalized compliance model for a three-segment notch flexure hinge with transverse symmetry. This flexure hinge configuration is most frequently employed in planar-motion, small-displacement compliant mechanisms. The axial and bending compliances are derived for this flexure hinge based on the compliances of two flexure components. The derivation is generalized such that it can be applied to various segment geometries. Using this open-ended model, a three-segment right elliptical corner-filleted flexure hinge design was analyzed. This geometric configuration introduces additional geometric parameters, which can be used to optimize the compliance of the flexure hinge without modifying its gross dimensions. The results of the analysis were validated in part by modifying the geometric parameters of the center segment and elliptical corner fillets to form limiting cases corresponding to several previously investigated configurations, namely right elliptical, three-segment right circular corner-filleted, and right circular geometries. Finite element analysis simulation and experimental testing were used to further validate the three-segment right elliptical corner-filleted analytical model. Additional simulations based on the analytical model were performed to highlight the influence of geometric parameters on compliances and to investigate shear effects for short flexure hinges.

No abstract

No abstract

The new class of flexure hinges with circular longitudinal axis and midpoint radial symmetry is introduced. Using rotation and mirroring, the symmetric flexure hinge is obtained from one half flexure. The six planar-bending compliances of the full hinge are determined analytically for small deformations by combining only three compliances of the half flexure. To illustrate the general flexure hinge category, the novel circular-axis, right circularly corner-filleted design is introduced. Experimental and finite element results correlate well with the analytical model predictions. The new flexure hinge design is compared to the circular-axis, constant-thickness flexure and the straight-axis, right circularly corner-filleted hinge.