Compliant Mechanisms Lecture 1 Part 1

This video is a raw unedited lecture about compliant mechanisms given by Professor Jonathan Hopkins at UCLA. This lecture provides an introductory overview of the field in the context of examples and explains why machines that bend are better than machines that guide their relative motions using traditional rigid joints.

If you are interested in learning more about compliant mechanisms in a more entertaining and engaging way, be sure to see Prof. Hopkins’ Compliant Mechanism Design (Professional Video Series) playlist on this channel.

Additional course resources are posted to Professor Hopkins’ website:

Copyright:
Some of the content used in this lecture was collected over a decade ago prior to my heightened knowledge and concern of copyright issues. As such, it’s possible that some of the content in this lecture may constitute a copyright infringement. Thus, if you identify any image that belongs to you and you are not ok with me having it in my lecture, please contact me directly and I will remove or update any part of these lectures to be in compliance with your wishes. I’d also be happy to acknowledge you in this description. My email can be found on my website.

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.

[rego]

Thanks a lot for sharing these jewels. I'm currently trying to solve an industrial problem with a compliant mechanism and I enjoyed every second of these videos

[billpengelly]

Compliant mechanism design is an amazing field with so much potential. I’m very pleased to see more research being done In this area. We need better design tools and more engineers trained in this field.

[zurichsee]

So great that Jonathan shares this with all of us we love this topic. Thanks professor.

[BirnieMac]

Love your work Professor Hopkins
Your work helped me get 100% in every quiz in my mechanical engineering unit this semester

[forglory]

My favorite part is where he explains what a dvd box does like he’s talking about an artifact recovered from an ancient ruin.

[BrainSlugs]

I absolutely love you for making this available online, thank you!
One request I would make is, on your slides that contain hyperlinks, please include QR codes; it makes it easy easier to follow links (both online, and in person). Thanks!

[wolpumba]

*What are Compliant Mechanisms?* [1:16]

* *Mechanisms:* Devices that transfer or transform motion, force, or energy.
* *Compliant Mechanisms:* Mechanisms with flexible elements that bend and deform to achieve motion, storing strain energy in the process.

*Examples of Compliant Mechanisms:* [3:03]

* *Ancient:* Bow and arrows, crossbows, catapults, bellows.
* *Modern:* CD cases, backpack straps, shampoo caps, tweezers, electric shavers, leaf springs, skateboards, diving boards, prosthetics, tennis rackets, bowflex machines, playgrounds.
* *Medical:* Endoscopic tools, clamps, prosthetic knee. [8:25]
* *Material Properties:* Architectured materials with engineered properties (e.g., negative Poisson ratio). [11:34]
* *Energy Harvesting:* Devices that capture ambient vibrations and convert them into electricity. [13:46]

*Why Nature Prefers Compliance:* [16:49]

* *Efficiency:* Compliant structures require less energy for movement and maneuvering.
* *Robustness:* Flexibility allows for impact absorption and stress distribution, preventing damage. [18:54]
* *Adaptability:* Compliance enables accommodation of imperfections and changing environments. [20:47]
* *Versatility:* Allows for complex motions and functionalities with fewer components. [22:18]

*Challenges of Compliant Mechanism Design:* [26:28]

* *Complexity:* Designing compliant mechanisms is more intricate than rigid-body systems.
* *Uncoupled Design:* Achieving independent control over functional requirements is difficult due to the interconnected nature of compliant elements. [27:04]

*Future of Compliant Mechanisms:* [23:52]

* *Robotics:* Nature-inspired robots incorporating compliance for enhanced adaptability and efficiency.
* *Aerospace:* Compliant wings for improved maneuverability and fuel efficiency.
* *Continued Exploration:* Expanding applications in various fields due to their inherent advantages.

i used gemini 1.5 pro (2024-05-15)

[rakshitpaliwal]

Where can I am able to get this lecture presentation (.pptx).

[mikkelhugobruun]

Super good lecture ! Thank you so much for uploading this !

[SussyBacca]

Wow this is a great lecture, thanks for making it available 😀 I'm working on the course with my kids

[marlonsaveri]

Is it possible to introduce such curse into the UCLA online courses systems in order to get a certificate?

[AverageJoeInnovationsLLC]

I am a big fan of compliant mechanisms. However, I've always disliked this often used comparison between traditional vise grips and compliant pliers. It's misleading. Vise grips aren't entirely rigid. Just as with bolts, the moment contact is made with a target surface, vise grips rely on slight deformation to achieve their intended purpose. That is to say the "grip" part of vise grip. What we usually refer to as their bite.

[Derlaft]

23:30 about birds: IMO not really a fair compare. Birds use a different mode of flight rather than "conventional" airplanes (incl Wright Brothers one). The problem isn't that we cannot make complaint wings, the problem is that we don't know the math and how to produce efficient ornithopters passing certain scale limit.

P.S. absolutely love youtube for recommending me this.

[LvB]

I have no idea what is being explained between 7:00 and 8:00 - perhaps a short video example would be beneficial?

[hansmaulwurf]

When I was young, I wanted to become a professional Boxer, but my face wasnt compliant enough :D

[zyxwvutsrqponmlkh]

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
Youtube Teach us all we need to know

[rakshitpaliwal]

I have an Idea in my mind,
But I am troubling with its design.

[Soho]

Aircraft industry went down a bad path 💀