Development of a novel type of hybrid non-symmetric flexure hinges

Abstract

A novel type of hybrid non-symmetric flexure hinges (NSFHs) is developed for higher motion precision in this paper, then the finite beam based matrix modeling (FBMM) method is employed to describe elastic deformation behaviors, model compliance matrix, and define non-dimensional precision factors of the hybrid NSFHs. Influences of the dimensional parameters on the dominant compliances and motion accuracies of the NSFHs are analytically investigated based on the FBMM models, while an asymmetry ratio is introduced and its influences on performances of the NSFHs are well revealed. Moreover, making comparisons of the main performances between the proposed NSFHs and symmetric flexure hinges, the obtained results indicate that the hybrid NSFHs can greatly improve the motion accuracy and suppress the adverse inherent motions. Finally, performances of the NSFHs and modeling accuracies are investigated by experimental tests, and making comparison with other flexure hinges.