This paper designs and analyses a class of single-axis translational flexure guiding mechanisms for linear actuators. The proposed flexure mechanisms have symmetrical configurations to eliminate parasitic motion for better precision and can provide large stiffness in the constraint directions and low stiffness in the actuation direction. Each flexure linear mechanism is composed of identical wire beams uniformly distributed in two planes (perpendicular to the actuation direction) with the minimal number of over-constraints. Analytical (symbolic) models are derived to quickly reflect effects of different parameters on performance characteristics of the flexure mechanism, enabling dimensional synthesis of different types of mechanisms. An optimal, compact, and symmetrical, flexure linear mechanism design is finally presented and prototyped with focused discussions on its primary motion.

References

1.
Teo
,
T.
,
Yang
,
G.
, and
Chen
,
I.-M.
,
2015
, “
A Flexure-Based Electromagnetic Nanopositioning Actuator With Predictable and Re-Configurable Open-Loop Positioning Resolution
,”
Precis. Eng.
,
40
, pp.
249
260
.
2.
Kim
,
C.
,
Song
,
M.-G.
,
Kim
,
Y. J.
,
Park
,
N.-C.
,
Park
,
K.-S.
,
Park
,
Y.-P.
,
Shin
,
K. S.
,
Kim
,
J. G.
, and
Lee
,
G. S.
,
2013
, “
Design of an Auto-Focusing Actuator With a Flexure-Based Compliant Mechanism for Mobile Imaging Devices
,”
Microsyst. Technol.
,
19
(9), pp.
1633
1644
.
3.
BEI Kimco, 2016, “
Commercial Voice Coil Actuators
,” BEI Kimco, Vista, CA, accessed July 17,
2016
, http://www.beikimco.com/motor-products/VCA-linear-voice-coil-actuator-all
4.
Liu
,
C. S.
, and
Lin
,
P.
,
2008
, “
A Miniaturized Low-Power VCM Actuator for Auto-Focusing Applications
,”
Opt. Express
,
16
(
4
), pp.
2533
2540
.
5.
Awtar
,
S.
, and
Slocum
,
A. H.
,
2005
, “
Design of Flexure Stages Based on a Symmetric Diaphragm Flexure
,”
ASPE 2005 Annual Meeting
, Norfolk, VA, Paper No. 1803.
6.
Howell
,
L. L.
,
Magleby
,
S. P.
, and
Olsen
,
B. M.
,
2013
,
Handbook of Compliant Mechanisms
,
Wiley
,
New York
.
7.
Smith
,
S. T.
,
2000
,
Flexures: Elements of Elastic Mechanisms
,
Gordon and Breach Science Publishers
,
New York
.
8.
Lobontiu
,
N.
,
2002
,
Compliant Mechanisms: Design of Flexure Hinges
,
CRC Press
,
Boca Raton, FL
.
9.
Hao
,
G.
, and
Li
,
H.
,
2015
, “
Conceptual Designs of Multi-DOF Compliant Parallel Manipulators Composed of Wire-Beam Based Compliant Mechanisms
,”
Proc. IMechE, Part C: J. Mech. Eng. Sci.
,
229
(
3
), pp.
538
555
.
10.
Nijenhuis
,
M.
,
Meijaard
,
J. P.
,
Herder
,
J.
,
Awtar
,
S.
, and
Brouwer
,
D. M.
,
2015
, “
An Analytical Formulation for the Lateral Support Stiffness of a Spatial Flexure Strip
,”
ASME
Paper No. DETC2015-46591.
11.
Zettl
,
B.
,
Szyszkowski
,
W.
, and
Zhang
,
W. J.
,
2004
, “
Accurate Low DOF Modeling of a Planar Complaint Mechanism With Flexure Hinges: The Equivalent Beam Methodology
,”
Precis. Eng.
,
29
(
2
), pp.
237
245
.
12.
Hopkins
,
J. B.
, and
Culpepper
,
M. L.
,
2010
, “
Synthesis of Multi-Degree of Freedom, Parallel Flexure System Concepts Via Freedom and Constraint Topology (FACT)—Part I: Principles
,”
Precis. Eng.
,
34
(
2
), pp.
259
270
.
13.
Hopkins
,
J. B.
, and
Culpepper
,
M. L.
,
2010
, “
Synthesis of Multi-Degree of Freedom, Parallel Flexure System Concepts Via Freedom and Constraint Topology (FACT)—Part II: Practice
,”
Precis. Eng.
,
34
(
2
), pp.
271
278
.
14.
Su
,
H.-J.
, and
Hafez
,
T.
,
2010
, “
Realizing Orthogonal Motions With Wire Flexures Connected in Parallel
,”
ASME J. Mech. Des.
,
132
(
12
), p.
121002
.
15.
Su
,
H.-J.
,
Denis
,
V. D.
, and
Judy
,
M. V.
,
2009
, “
A Screw Theory Approach for the Conceptual Design of Flexible Joints for Compliant Mechanisms
,”
ASME J. Mech. Rob.
,
1
(
4
), p.
041009
.
16.
Yu
,
J.
,
Li
,
S.
,
Su
,
H.-J.
, and
Culpepper
,
M. L.
,
2011
, “
Screw Theory Based Methodology for the Deterministic Type Synthesis of Flexure Mechanisms
,”
ASME J. Mech. Rob.
,
3
(
3
), p.
031008
.
17.
Hao
,
G.
, and
Kong
,
X.
,
2013
, “
A Normalization-Based Approach to the Mobility Analysis of Spatial Compliant Multi-Beam Modules
,”
Mech. Mach. Theory
,
59
(
1
), pp.
1
19
.
18.
Timoshenko
,
S.
, and
Goodier
,
J. N.
,
1969
,
Theory of Elasticity
,
McGraw-Hill
,
New York
.
19.
Hao
,
G.
, and
Kong
,
X.
,
2014
, “
Nonlinear Analytical Modelling and Characteristic Analysis of Symmetrical-Beam Based Composite Compliant Parallel Modules for Planar Motion
,”
Mech. Mach. Theory
,
77
, pp.
122
147
.
20.
Hao
,
G.
, and
Li
,
H.
,
2016
, “
Extended Static Modelling and Analysis of Compliant Compound Parallelogram Mechanisms Considering the Initial Internal Axial Force
,”
ASME J. Mech. Rob.
,
8
(
4
), p.
041008
.
21.
Christopher
,
M. B.
, and
Hopkins
,
J. B.
,
2012
, “
Sensitivity of Freedom Spaces During Flexure Stage Design Via FACT
,”
Precis. Eng.
,
36
(
3
), pp.
494
499
.
You do not currently have access to this content.