Modeling Flexible Segments With Force and Moment End Loads via the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model

This paper presents the development of a new pseudo-rigid-body model to model the deflection path of flexible segments with force and moment loads. Three separate loading cases are presented including: a cantilever beam with applied end-force and moment in the same direction, a cantilever beam with the applied end-force and moment in opposite directions with no inflection point being produced in the beam, and a cantilever beam with the applied end-force and moment in opposite directions which produces an inflection point in the beam. These types of segments are common in compliant mechanisms so it is important to have a method for their design and analysis.