Design of a New Fully Compliant Translational Joint via Straight-Line Motion Mechanism Based Method

Abstract

A Compliant Translational Joint (CTJ) is designed via Straight-Line Motion Mechanism Method. The designed CTJ is based on the Pseudo-Rigid-Body-Model (PRBM) of a modified Scott-Russell Mechanism. The precision of the straight-line motion of the rigid-body mechanism adjusts to a straight-line to a 99.6% while the compliant version adjusts to a 99.9%. The novelty of the design is given by the way the CTJ is designed, the performance of the CTJ is achieved by mirroring the mechanism about an axis tangent to the path of the mechanism and that passes through the initial position of the coupler point at the symmetry axis of the path. The CTJ motion is predicted by the PRBM. The force-displacement relations and the frequency modes of the CTJ are analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA).