Low stiffness flexure
US10071903B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2015 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20
- WIPO fieldMicro-structural and nano-technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A flexure includes a support first end connected to a first frame; a support second end connected to a second frame; and a buckled section connecting the first support end to the second support end. The length of the flexure is substantially greater than its width, and the width of the flexure is substantially greater than its thickness. During operation, the flexure is maintained in a buckled state where the flexure's stiffness is significantly less than in the unbuckled state. In one implementation, a stage includes a flexure array joining a first frame and a second frame, where: the first frame and the second frame are substantially on a plane; the flexure array is substantially on the plane prior to buckling by the flexures of the flexure array; and the flexure array is bent substantially out of the plane after buckling by the flexures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.