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DOI of the published article https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4068296
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Metamorphic Flexure Bearings for Extended Range of Motion

##article.authors##

  • Cameron Taylor Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NC State University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7618-0544
  • Will Flanagan Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
  • Talmage Jones Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
  • He Kai Lim Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3118-0184
  • Jonathan Hopkins Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4752-746X
  • Tyler Clites Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7754-4442

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31224/4522

Keywords:

COMPLIANT MECHANISMS, CONVENTIONAL BEARINGS, EXTENDED RANGE, FLEXURE BEARINGS, LINEAR-MOTION, MAGNETIC CATCH, MECHANICALLY PROGRAMMED MECHANISMS, POSITION-ACTIVATED TRANSITION

Abstract

Flexure bearings provide precise, low-maintenance operation but have a limited range of motion compared to conventional bearings. Here we introduce a new class of bearing – the metamorphic flexure bearing – that retains the advantages of precision, low wear, and low hysteresis over its limited flexure-bearing range, but also provides an extended range of motion as needed. This extended range of motion is achieved via a position-activated transition to a conventional sliding or rolling bearing. To demonstrate the operating principles of this new class of bearing, we describe, design, assemble, and test a linear-motion metamorphic flexure bearing using three categorically-different transition mechanisms: a compression spring, a constant-force spring, and a pair of magnetic catches. This design paradigm has the potential to provide various benefits (e.g., reduced wear, reduced downtime, cost savings, and increased safety) in areas ranging from precision manufacturing to healthcare robotics to biomedical implants.

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Posted

2025-04-15

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Copyright (c) 2025 Cameron Taylor, Will Flanagan , Talmage Jones , He Kai Lim, Jonathan Hopkins, Tyler Clites

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.