US 12,234,867 B2
Constrained flexure mechanism and method for manufacturing the same
Deming Shu, Darien, IL (US); Steven P. Kearney, Schaumburg, IL (US); Jayson W. Anton, Chicago, IL (US); Ross J. Harder, Downers Grove, IL (US); Xianbo Shi, Naperville, IL (US); Tim M. Mooney, Westmont, IL (US); and Lahsen Assoufid, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/673,737.
Prior Publication US 2023/0258234 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. F16D 3/79 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 3/79 (2013.01) 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flexure mechanism, comprising:
a plurality of thin material structures, each thin material structure having a thickness between approximately 10 micrometers (μm) and approximately 500 μm and including:
a weak-link portion including:
a carriage having a carriage top surface, a carriage bottom surface, and a carriage side surface disposed between the carriage top surface and the carriage bottom surface;
a base having a base top surface, a base bottom surface, and a base side surface disposed between the base top surface and the base bottom surface; and
at least one connecting link extending between the carriage bottom surface and the base top surface; and
a separable constraint portion-linked to the weak-link portion and including at least one first linkage extending toward the carriage side surface and at least one second linkage extending toward the base side surface, the separable constraint portion configured to stabilize the weak-link portion;
wherein the plurality of thin material structures are stacked and secured together to form a laminar structure.