Unified Stiffness Modeling and Analysis of Compliant Crank-slider Mechanisms

Abstract

A compliant crank-slider mechanism can be constructed by adding constant-stiffness springs at its joints. Different mounting of springs brings changes in the stiffness performance, which has been analyzed in separated case studies. In this paper, a unified stiffness model is developed for comprehensive analysis of the stiffness performance. With the model, four types of stiffness behaviors, namely hardening, softening, negative stiffness and zero stiffness behaviors, can be simulated with varying parameters. Using the model, stiffness behaviors of the mechanism are analyzed. A new approach constructing constant-torque mechanism is proposed with an example included.