Underconstraint eliminator mechanism in double parallelogram linear flexure bearing
First Claim
1. A double parallelogram linear flexural mechanism comprising:
- a first stage extending in a direction of movement;
a first pair of parallelogram flexures extending transversely from the first stage and terminating at distal ends configured for being fastened to ground;
a second stage extending parallel to the first stage;
a second pair of parallelogram flexures extending from the first stage to the second stage;
the first stage, the first pair of parallelogram flexures, the second stage, and the second pair of parallelogram flexures, collectively forming a double parallelogram;
a linkage disposed between, and resiliently coupled to, the first stage and the second stage;
a pair of linkage guiding flexures coupled at proximal end portions thereof, to a first end portion of the linkage;
the linkage guiding flexures extending divergently from said proximal end portions to distal end portions configured for being fastened to ground; and
the pair of linkage guiding flexures defining a notional triangle having a base extending between the distal end portions, and sides extending through the proximal end portions to a notional apex, the notional apex defining an instant center of rotation for the linkage;
wherein the linkage is disposed entirely within the double parallelogram, while being configured to constrain the first stage and the second stage to oscillate in the direction of motion at the same frequency and phase.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A double parallelogram linear flexural system and method includes a first stage extending in a direction of movement, and a pair of parallelogram flexures extending from the first stage to distal ends configured for being grounded. A second stage extends parallel to the first stage, with another pair of parallelogram flexures extending between the stages, wherein the stages and parallelogram flexures form a double parallelogram. A linkage is disposed between, and resiliently coupled to, the stages. Linkage guiding flexures extend divergently from the linkage, to distal end portions configured for being grounded. The linkage guiding flexures define a notional triangle having a base extending between the distal end portions, and sides extending through proximal end portions to a notional apex defining a center of rotation for the linkage. The linkage is entirely within the double parallelogram, while constraining the stages to oscillate at the same frequency and phase.
7 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A double parallelogram linear flexural mechanism comprising:
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a first stage extending in a direction of movement; a first pair of parallelogram flexures extending transversely from the first stage and terminating at distal ends configured for being fastened to ground; a second stage extending parallel to the first stage; a second pair of parallelogram flexures extending from the first stage to the second stage; the first stage, the first pair of parallelogram flexures, the second stage, and the second pair of parallelogram flexures, collectively forming a double parallelogram; a linkage disposed between, and resiliently coupled to, the first stage and the second stage; a pair of linkage guiding flexures coupled at proximal end portions thereof, to a first end portion of the linkage; the linkage guiding flexures extending divergently from said proximal end portions to distal end portions configured for being fastened to ground; and the pair of linkage guiding flexures defining a notional triangle having a base extending between the distal end portions, and sides extending through the proximal end portions to a notional apex, the notional apex defining an instant center of rotation for the linkage; wherein the linkage is disposed entirely within the double parallelogram, while being configured to constrain the first stage and the second stage to oscillate in the direction of motion at the same frequency and phase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of providing a double parallelogram linear flexural mechanism, the method comprising:
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extending a first stage in a direction of movement; extending a first pair of parallelogram flexures transversely from the first stage to distal ends configured for being fastened to ground; extending a second stage parallel to the first stage; extending a second pair of parallelogram flexures from the first stage to the second stage, wherein the first stage, the first pair of parallelogram flexures, the second stage, and the second pair of parallelogram flexures, collectively form a double parallelogram; disposing a linkage between, and resiliently coupled to, the first stage and the second stage; coupling proximal end portions of a pair of linkage guiding flexures to a first end portion of the linkage; and extending the linkage guiding flexures divergently from the proximal end portions to distal end portions configured for being fastened to ground; wherein the pair of linkage guiding flexures define a notional triangle having a base extending between the distal end portions, and sides extending through the proximal end portions to a notional apex, the notional apex defining an instant center of rotation for the linkage; and wherein the linkage is disposed entirely within the double parallelogram while constraining the first stage and the second stage to oscillate in the direction of motion at the same frequency and phase.
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Specification