Crossed Compliant Joint Structure for Uniform 3-Axis Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid body joints with three degrees of freedom of rotation, simulating ball joint behavior, face disadvantages due to varying stiffness in individual rotational degrees, making them unsuitable for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A joint comprising a rigid carrier element with at least two elastically deformable joint devices, each with two joint elements featuring elongated web sections and fastening sections, arranged to cross each other, ensuring uniform stiffness across rotational degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solid body joints are used to simulate ball joint behavior with three degrees of freedom of rotation, then the joint achieves the required mobility and rotational capability, but the stiffness varies significantly across different rotational degrees of freedom, making it unsuitable for applications requiring uniform stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The joint device is segmented into multiple joint elements (at least two, preferably three or four) arranged in series between the support element and carrier element. Each joint element contains elastically deformable web sections that can independently deform, allowing the overall structure to achieve uniform stiffness characteristics across all rotational degrees of freedom while maintaining three-dimensional rotational mobility. This segmentation replaces the single solid body joint with a distributed system of flexible elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the joint components by introducing elastically deformable web sections with specific geometric parameters (length, width, thickness ratios). These web sections are designed with controlled elasticity to provide consistent stiffness characteristics across different rotation axes, transforming the rigid solid body joint into a compliant mechanism that maintains uniform mechanical properties throughout its range of motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If elastically deformable web sections are used to achieve uniform stiffness, then the joint gains consistent mobility across all rotational degrees of freedom, but the structural complexity increases compared to solid body joints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs thin, elastically deformable web sections as the primary load-bearing elements instead of complex rigid mechanical structures. These web sections function as flexible structural components that provide the necessary compliance and stiffness through their geometric design and material properties, significantly simplifying the overall joint construction while achieving uniform stiffness characteristics across all rotational degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint device utilizes composite construction by combining rigid elements (support element, carrier element, fastening sections) with elastically deformable web sections. This composite approach allows the rigid components to provide structural stability and mounting functionality while the flexible web sections provide controlled compliance and uniform stiffness, creating a hybrid structure that balances simplicity with performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The joint achieves uniform stiffness across all rotational degrees of freedom, enhancing its suitability for applications requiring consistent mobility and stability, particularly in rotational and tilting movements.
Implementation Method 1
at least two elastically deformable joint devices (3), which are arranged at the carrier element (2) in an overlap at least in a section
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a joint, in particular for use in a parallel kinematic positioning device, which has at least three rotational degrees of freedom, and which has a rigid carrier element and at least two elastically deformable joint devices arranged overlapping one another at least in sections on the carrier element, wherein each of the joint devices comprises two joint elements, and each of the joint elements has an elongated connecting section and a securing section arranged at one end of the connecting section for securing the joint device to a higher level unit, and the two connecting sections of each joint device extend in a direction pointing away from the carrier element in such a way that they cross over one another.