Design of flexure revolute joint based on double compliant curved beam

Abstract

In view of the problems of low accuracy and large impact caused by flexure joints during the deployable process, design of an integrated flexure revolute joint for folding mechanisms is important. Using a double compliant curved beam as a flexible unit of a joint, the revolute joint is designed based on the method of compliance and stiffness ellipsoids. The geometrical constraints model of the curved beam is established to define the design range of the unit. The total error model, which is obtained by the analysis of single-parameter errors, is used to choose the size of the unit with the smallest error. The finite element models of the flexure joints are established to analyze the rotational stiffness, translational stiffness, and the maximum rotational angle of the joints. The rotational angle of one flexure revolute joint in one direction can reach 35.7°. The rotational angle of the series flexure revolute joint in one direction can achieve 51°. The experiments of single and series flexure joints are carried out to verify the correctness of the design and for the analysis of the flexure joint.