Metamorphic Flexure Bearings for Extended Range of Motion.

ABSTRACT: Flexure bearings provide precise, low-maintenance operation but have a limited range of motion compared to conventional bearings. Here, we introduce a new class of bearing-the metamorphic flexure bearing-that not only retains the advantages of precision, low wear, and low hysteresis over its limited flexure-bearing range but also provides an extended range of motion as needed. This extended range of motion is achieved via a position-activated transition to a conventional sliding or rolling bearing. To demonstrate the operating principles of this new class of bearing, we describe, design, assemble, and test a linear-motion metamorphic flexure bearing using three categorically different transition mechanisms: a compression spring, a constant-force spring, and a pair of magnetic catches. This

SUBMITTER: Taylor CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12533832 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature