Flexibility Calculation of Like-U Type Flexure Hinge

ABSTRACT

A new like-U type flexure hinge structure is proposed, based on Castigliano’s second theorem and calculus theory. Taking the centrifugal angle parameters as the integration variable, and defining the intermediate parameters, it deduces the analytic computational formula for the like-U type flexure hinge flexibility. By changing the structural parameter of the flexure hinge, it is able to transform four different structure flexure hinges, and the deduced analytic computation formula can be applied to all of these four structures flexure hinges. After the twelve flexure hinges of different structures have been analyzed by applying finite-element method, it is found that the results are in good agreement with the results of analytic computation formula. Thus, the validity of the analytic computation formula is verified, realize accurate design and computation for such flexure hinges is realized, and the theoretical base for technical application of like-U type flexure hinge is provided.

Keywords:

Flexure hinge, flexibility, finite-element method, like-U type, Structural parameters, Geometric parameters.