Compliant mechanisms find use in numerous applications in both microscale and macroscale devices. Most of the current compliant mechanisms base their behavior on beam flexures. Their range of motion is thus limited by the stresses developed upon deflection. Conversely, the proposed mechanism relies on elastically nonlinear components to achieve large deformations. These nonlinear elements are composite morphing double-helical structures that are able to extend and coil like springs, yet, with nonlinear stiffness characteristics. A mechanism consisting of such structures, assembled in a simple truss configuration, is explored. A variety of behaviors is unveiled that could be exploited to expand the design space of current compliant mechanisms. The type of behavior is found to depend on the initial geometry of the structural assembly, the lay-up, and other characteristics specific of the composite components.
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October 2019
Research-Article
Multistable Morphing Mechanisms of Nonlinear Springs
Chrysoula Aza,
Chrysoula Aza
1
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
e-mail: chrysoula.aza@bristol.ac.uk
University of Bristol
,Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
UK
e-mail: chrysoula.aza@bristol.ac.uk
1Corresponding author.
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Alberto Pirrera,
Alberto Pirrera
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
e-mail: alberto.pirrera@bristol.ac.uk
University of Bristol
,Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
UK
e-mail: alberto.pirrera@bristol.ac.uk
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Mark Schenk
Mark Schenk
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
e-mail: m.schenk@bristol.ac.uk
University of Bristol
,Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
UK
e-mail: m.schenk@bristol.ac.uk
Search for other works by this author on:
Chrysoula Aza
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
e-mail: chrysoula.aza@bristol.ac.uk
University of Bristol
,Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
UK
e-mail: chrysoula.aza@bristol.ac.uk
Alberto Pirrera
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
e-mail: alberto.pirrera@bristol.ac.uk
University of Bristol
,Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
UK
e-mail: alberto.pirrera@bristol.ac.uk
Mark Schenk
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
e-mail: m.schenk@bristol.ac.uk
University of Bristol
,Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS),
Bristol BS8 1TR,
UK
e-mail: m.schenk@bristol.ac.uk
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Mechanisms and Robotics Committee of ASME for publication in the Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics. Manuscript received January 29, 2019; final manuscript received July 3, 2019; published online August 5, 2019. Assoc. Editor: Andrew P. Murray.
J. Mechanisms Robotics. Oct 2019, 11(5): 051014 (14 pages)
Published Online: August 5, 2019
Article history
Received:
January 29, 2019
Revision Received:
July 3, 2019
Accepted:
July 8, 2019
Citation
Aza, C., Pirrera, A., and Schenk, M. (August 5, 2019). "Multistable Morphing Mechanisms of Nonlinear Springs." ASME. J. Mechanisms Robotics. October 2019; 11(5): 051014. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4044210
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