Compliant Mechanisms That Use Static Balancing to Achieve Dramatically Different States of Stiffness

Abstract Stiffness in compliant mechanisms can be dramatically altered and even eliminated entirely by using static balancing. This requires elastic energy to inserted before operation, which is most often done with an additional device or preloading assembly. Adding such devices contrasts starkly primary motivations for mechanisms, as part count reduction, increased precision, miniaturization. However, statically balanced a fully monolithic architecture are scarce. In this article, we introduce two novel linear rotary kinematics that do not require assembly, enabling Static balance achieved the principle of opposing constant force extended rotational torque first time. A mechanism based on existing work used inspired mechanism. single-piece obtained monolithically integrating bistable switch preloading, allows turned off. The reduces stiffness 98.5% over 10 mm, has significantly reduced complexity doubled relative range motion from 3.3% 6.6% compared state art. 90.5% 0.35 rad.