Patent ID: 6757975
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: B21D,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for making a compliant mechanism capable of achieving motion by elastic deformation, comprising the steps of:a) selecting a desired profile of the compliant mechanism having a continuous integral shape with a wider portion forming a relatively rigid section, and a relatively thinner portion, integral with the wider portion, forming a relatively flexible section, the rigid and flexible sections achieving motion by elastic deformation of the flexible section and storing strain energy in the flexible section; b) cutting a plurality of layers of the desired profile of the compliant mechanism from a sheet of material having a thickness less than a desired thickness of the compliant mechanism; and c) stacking the plurality of layers adjacent one another to form the desired thickness of the compliant mechanism without attaching the layers together so that the relatively flexible sections of the layers can elastically deflect independently of one another and so that the relatively rigid sections of the layers can move independently of one another.