Hybrid Spatial Compliant Hinge for Large-Stroke Two-DOF Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar structure compliant hinges can only achieve low pairs with single degree of freedom and LEMs compliant mechanisms have limited overall stroke and fewer degrees of freedom, making it difficult to design large-stroke spatial compliant mechanisms with multi-degrees of freedom.
Innovation Solution
A spatial large-stroke compliant hinge with a hybrid structure, comprising a rectangular planar unit connected to a crossed-shaped planar unit, where the rectangular unit achieves out-of-plane torsion and the crossed-shaped unit achieves in-plane rotation, allowing for a high-stiffness triangular structure to connect and transmit torque, enabling large-scale deformation and multiple degrees of freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar structure compliant hinges are used, then processing is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the mechanism can only achieve single degree of freedom motion with limited stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a rectangular planar unit (providing out-of-plane torsion) with a crossed-shaped planar unit (providing in-plane rotation) into a hybrid spatial compliant hinge. This merging of two different planar structures enables multi-degree-of-freedom motion while maintaining the processing simplicity of planar structures through conventional manufacturing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from purely planar structures to spatial structures by adding out-of-plane torsional capability to the traditional in-plane rotating compliant hinge. The rectangular planar unit enables torsion along the thickness direction, adding a new dimension of motion to the originally planar mechanism.
2Shape
If LET compliant hinges are used to form LEMs mechanisms, then out-of-plane motion is achieved through planar structure, but the equivalent mechanism has fewer degrees of freedom and limited overall stroke
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the out-of-plane torsion capability of rectangular planar units with the in-plane rotation capability of crossed-shaped planar units. This combination creates a spatial compliant hinge that achieves both large out-of-plane rotation and large in-plane rotation, significantly increasing the overall stroke and degrees of freedom compared to LEMs mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If spatial compliant mechanisms with multi degrees of freedom are designed, then motion versatility is improved, but processing complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spatial compliant hinge into two independent planar units: a rectangular planar unit for out-of-plane torsion and a crossed-shaped planar unit for in-plane rotation. Each unit can be processed separately using conventional planar manufacturing methods, reducing overall processing complexity while achieving multi-degree-of-freedom spatial motion when assembled.
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 hybrid structure enables a rotating joint with two degrees of freedom, achieving large-scale in-plane and out-of-plane rotations, with enhanced torsional and bending flexibility, allowing for multi-degree freedom motion and simplifying processing and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
Compliant mechanisms refer to a type of mechanisms that use their own elastic deformation to transmit input force or displace
Implementation Method 2
The crossed-shaped planar unit is a crossed-shaped structure formed by two flexible and intersecting straight beam thin sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A spatial large-stroke compliant hinge with hybrid structure, which includes a rectangular planar unit for implementing an out-of-plane torsion function and a crossed-shaped planar unit for achieving an in-plane rotation function. The crossed-shaped planar unit is formed by two flexible straight beam thin sheets intersecting into a crossed-shaped structure with an angle, and the rectangular planar unit and the crossed-shaped planar unit are connected through an external connection or an embedded connection.