“Binary Torsional Stiffness Compliant Mechanism EXPLAINED” - Binary Stiffness (Part 2)

This video depicts a rotational binary stiffness compliant mechanism that achieves two different states of torsional stiffness by being triggered using a simple switch. One state is very compliant while the other state is very stiff. The mechanism was designed by Reinier Kuppens while working in my lab at UCLA as a visiting scholar from Delft University.

Further details about the mechanism are published in the journal, Extreme Mechanics Letters, and can be found at this link:

A raw video of this mechanism was previously uploaded to Reinier’s YouTube channel:

but this video is intended to explain the mechanical principles behind how the mechanism works. This video is the second part of a five-part mini-series about binary-stiffness compliant mechanisms. Be sure to watch the other parts to learn more about how they work and for what applications they could be used.

The part files can be downloaded from Thingiverse using this link:

Also, to understand more about compliant mechanisms in general, be sure to watch the other videos in my Compliant Mechanism Design series on this channel.

Acknowledgements:
This video would not have been possible without the brilliance of Reinier Kuppens, Just Herder, and Miguel Bessa, so a huge thanks to them. And although we jointly own the copyright on this material, I’m grateful to Reinier for giving me permission to publish another YouTube video about our content.

Donate to help support my channel:
If you’d like to make a one-time donation, you can use the following link:
Thank you for your support! It is much appreciated and helps enable me to make more content.

Disclaimer:
Responsibility for the content of this video is my own. The University of California, Los Angeles is not involved with this channel nor does it endorse its content.

[shirleysycamore]

Another video well done, Jonathan. I am really enjoy this.

[Dther]

This is an excellent explanation. I'm going to use this amazing wonder of modern technology... to try and make a self-closing mug lid. Wish me luck!

[sokol]

This is so well lended to laser cutting material rather than 3D printing

[willayala]

This all cool and all but what is it used for?

[jbh.]

Cool .... but I must know what these are for! 🤯

[Jamesvandaele]

No sound or explanation MILLIONS OF VIEWS!!! Explanation? A few.

[verygood]

but whats the use when we have beautiful MOSFETS