High torsion stiffness leafspring flexure element using distributed warping constraints

Leafsprings are commonly used in flexure mechanisms to enable repeatable motion and provide support stiffness. In various applications, the torsional stiffness needs to be increased. This paper presents the concept of using warping constraints distributed along the leafspring to increase the torsional stiffness relative to the stiffness in other directions. A beam-based model of nonuniform torsion is used to estimate the relationship between the geometrical design parameters and the expected increase in torsional stiffness. The model predicts that an order of magnitude increase in stiffness is feasible. Compared to other solutions, the distributed warping constraints have a less obtrusive shape that offer more design freedom