Compliant mechanism

Compliant plier mechanism

In mechanical engineering, a compliant mechanism is a flexible mechanism that achieves force and motion transmission through elastic body deformation. It gains some or all of its motion from the relative flexibility of its members rather than from rigid-body joints alone. These may be monolithic (single-piece) or jointless structures. Some common devices that use compliant mechanisms are backpack latches and paper clips. One of the oldest examples of using compliant structures is the bow and arrow.[1] Compliant mechanisms manufactured in a plane that have motion emerging from said plane are known as lamina emergent mechanisms or LEMs.

  1. ^ Howell, Larry (2013). Howell, Larry L; Magleby, Spencer P; Olsen, Brian M (eds.). Handbook of compliant mechanisms. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom. p. 300. doi:10.1002/9781118516485. ISBN 9781119953456.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)