Abstract Compliant mechanisms are state of the art in technical applications, especially in precision engineering. They mostly achieve their motion due to bending-dominated deformation of their compliant segments, i.e. flexure hinges. Accurately analyzing a compliant mechanism in dependence of specific flexure hinges is still a challenging task due to the monolithic design and non-linearities caused by large deflections. Most existing accurate analytical models are restricted to single hinges. Therefore, this paper presents a non-linear analytical approach to calculate the elasto-kinematic properties of arbitrary planar compliant mechanisms. The approach is based on the theory for large deflections of rod-like structures. As a typical example, a compliant parallel four-bar linkage with varying compliant segments is investigated by means of the proposed analytical approach. The motion and deformation behavior are numerically calculated with the use of MATLAB®. It is shown, that the analytical results are in good correlation with FEM-based simulations and measurements of a manufactured prototype. To demonstrate the generality of the proposed method, two further and more complex mechanism examples are considered. As a result, the implemented modeling approach allows an accurate and fast analysis as well as synthesis of manifold planar compliant mechanisms with distributed or concentrated compliance.

中文翻译：

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平面柔顺机构的非线性分析建模

摘要 兼容机制是技术应用中的最新技术，尤其是在精密工程中。它们主要是由于其柔性段（即挠性铰链）的弯曲主导变形而实现其运动。由于整体设计和大挠度引起的非线性，根据特定的挠性铰链准确分析柔顺机构仍然是一项具有挑战性的任务。大多数现有的精确分析模型仅限于单铰链。因此，本文提出了一种非线性分析方法来计算任意平面柔顺机构的弹性运动学特性。该方法基于棒状结构大挠度的理论。作为一个典型的例子，通过建议的分析方法研究了具有不同柔顺段的柔顺平行四连杆机构。使用 MATLAB® 对运动和变形行为进行数值计算。结果表明，分析结果与基于 FEM 的模拟和制造原型的测量具有良好的相关性。为了证明所提出方法的通用性，考虑了两个更复杂的机制示例。因此，实施的建模方法允许准确和快速的分析以及具有分布式或集中合规性的流形平面顺应性机制的综合。分析结果与基于 FEM 的模拟和制造原型的测量具有良好的相关性。为了证明所提出方法的通用性，考虑了两个更复杂的机制示例。因此，实施的建模方法允许准确和快速的分析以及具有分布式或集中合规性的流形平面顺应性机制的综合。分析结果与基于 FEM 的模拟和制造原型的测量具有良好的相关性。为了证明所提出方法的通用性，考虑了两个更复杂的机制示例。因此，实施的建模方法允许准确和快速的分析以及具有分布式或集中合规性的流形平面顺应性机制的综合。