Graduation Year
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.M.E.
Degree Granting Department
Mechanical Engineering
Major Professor
Craig P Lusk, Ph.D.
Keywords
Compliant mechanisms, Pseudo-rigid-body, Spherical, MEMS, Out of plane
Abstract
Compliant mechanism theory permits a procedure called rigidbody replacement, in which two or more rigid links of the mechanism are replaced by a compliant flexure with equivalent motion. Methods for designing flexure with equivalent motion to replace rigid links are detailed in Pseudo-Rigid-Body Models (PRBMs). Such models have previously been developed for planar mechanisms. This thesis develops the first PRBM for spherical mechanisms. In formulating this PRBM for a spherical mechanism, we begin by applying displacements are applied to a curved beam that cause it todeflect in a manner consistent with spherical kinematics. The motion of the beam is calculated using Finite Element Analysis. These results areanalyzed to give the PRBM parameters. These PRBM parameters vary with the arc length and the aspect ratio of the curved beam.
Scholar Commons Citation
Jagirdar, Saurabh, "Kinematics of curved flexible beam" (2006). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/2572