2 Leaf springs in parallel

Construction Design & Examples

Introduction

2 leaf springs in parallel are often use as a (quasi-) linear guidance were play must be eliminated.

Pro’s & con’s

Elimination of parasitic displacements

Through a double parallel leaf spring (in series) the parasitic displacement can be eliminated, like:

2-Leaf-springs-in-parallel1

The drive stiffness ($C_x$) halves; however the guiding stiffness ($C_z$) halves as well.

Leaf spring configuration

For machinability, often reinforced leaf springs or 2 elastic hinges in series are used as an alternative per leaf spring. If so use the following guide-lines:

2-Leaf-springs-in-parallel2

Leaf spring with L,b,t then:
$L_0=\frac{1}{6}L$
$t_0=0.9t$
$t_{RF}=5t_0$
$L_H=\frac{5}{6}L$
$h=\frac{1}{2}t$ 
$D=2h$


(matching movement)
(matching $C_x$)
(guideline for reinforcement)
(matching movement)

(elastic hinge guide line)

2-Leaf-springs-in-parallel3

Stiffness

$C_x=2\frac{12EI_z}{L^3}=\frac{2Ebt^3}{L^3} $
$C_y=2\frac{3EI_x}{L^3}=\frac{Eb^3t}{2L^3} $
$C_z=2\frac{EA}{L}=\frac{2Ebt}{L}$ only if $u_x=0$
$C_z=\frac{2}{\frac{L}{EA}+\frac{u_x^2L}{700EI_y}}=\frac{350Ebt^3}{\left(175t^2+3u_x^2\right)L}$ for $u_x\neq0$

$K_x=2\frac{EI_x}{L}=\frac{Eb^3t}{6L} $
$K_y=C_zr^2=\frac{2Ebtr^2}{L} $
$K_z=C_yr^2=\frac{Eb^3tr^2}{2L^3}$

Motion

$u_x=\frac{L^2\sigma}{3Et}$ ,     $u_z=\frac{3}{5}\frac{u_x^2}{L}\ $
dynamic movements: $\sigma_{max}<$ fatigue stress limit 
static deformation: $\sigma_{max}<$ yield stress limit ($\sigma_{0.2}$)

Overconstrained design

Essentially, 2 parallel leaf springs are over constrained. This could be overcome if internal elasticity is introduced like low torsion stiffness of the moving body or notching 1 out of 2 leaf springs. Practically, the best way is to machine the fixed world, the leaf spring and the moving body monolithically.

Applying Force Fx

To ensure identical normal force on each leaf spring and thus; a pure linear guidance, the force $F_x$ should be applied at $L/2$ as depicted below.

Where to apply force to 2 flexures in parallel

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