Cross blade flexure pivot and methods of use thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to a device that can be used as, inter alia, a cross blade flexure pivot, with the cross blade flexure pivot comprising a monolithic structure. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a monolithic cross blade flexure pivot using injection molding. Also provided is a mold for use in this injection molding method. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a monolithic cross blade flexure pivot using selective laser sintering, as well as to the three-dimensional digital descriptions used in this method. The present invention also relates to a method of providing non-frictional rotational support to a mechanical component. The present invention also relates to systems that include the cross blade flexure pivot device.

主权项

1. A cross blade flexure pivot comprising a monolithic structure, said monolithic structure comprising:
a top platform and a bottom platform, each of which has an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the top platform and the inner surface of the bottom platform face one another and are substantially parallel to one another; and at least one pair of crossing flat flexure elements that function as springs and that intersect independent of one another to provide an axis of rotation for the top and bottom platforms along a projected line that extends through the intersection of the pair of crossing flat flexure elements, wherein a first flexure element of the pair of flexure elements extends from a first end of the inner surface of the top platform to an opposite second end of the inner surface of the bottom platform, and wherein a second flexure element of the pair of flexure elements extends from a second end of the inner surface of the top platform to an opposite first end of the inner surface of the bottom platform.