Design and Comprehensive Performance Analysis of IS-LEJ Hinges

The lamina emergent torsional (LET) joint is one of the most important components in lamina emergent mechanisms (LEMs), which can play a key role in its movement performance. This paper summarizes the existing hinges and compares their performance. Based on this, eight new flexure hinges are designed and the finite element analysis (FEA) models are created. Their bending properties, tension and compression resistant properties are analyzed respectively. In order to achieve the preliminary judgment of flexible hinge properties, comprehensive performance parameters q₁ and q₂ are proposed. The comprehensive performance of the eight hinges is compared according to the calculation results of q₁ and q₂. The theoretical formula of hinge with best performance is deduced and verified. Finally, the effect of length on the comprehensive performance of the eight hinges are analyzed. The result shows that the structure meets the design requirement of lifting comprehensive performance of hinges.