Abstract
This paper introduces an original, fully compliant universal joint design. Many mechanisms with different dimensions are investigated. The proposed design is a single-piece compliant mechanism. The number of flexible segments is a design parameter determined as a function of transferred torque. The mechanism can be produced by additive manufacturing from polylactic acid and polypropylene. It is possible to produce the proposed design as a single piece of polypropylene by additive manufacturing and injection molding methods; thus, it has the advantage of ease in manufacturing. The proposed design’s bending and torque transmission capacities are determined by applying analytical and numerical methods. Furthermore, a prototype was manufactured, and experiments were conducted. It is verified that the results of the experiments are consistent with theoretical approaches. The proposed fully compliant universal joint design has a great potential in the industry.
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Appendix. Supplementary data https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRGxo9E9lpE
Raşit Karakuş works as a teaching assistant at Hacettepe University. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Hacettepe University. His research interests include compliant mechanisms and electric vehicles.
Çağıl Merve Tanık works as an engineer in the Academic Relations Department at ASELSAN Academy. She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Middle East Technical University. Her research interests include compliant mechanisms and solid mechanics.
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Karakuş, R., Tanık, Ç.M. Compliant universal joint with preformed flexible segments. J Mech Sci Technol 36, 5639–5648 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-022-1026-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-022-1026-5