Stiffness Analysis of Actuator Flexure by FEM.

Actuator is a fluid control component, which will be used in any of the fluid control requirements. The proposed actuator is normally closed and electro-mechanically actuated with armature configuration. The armature movement is the path opening to facilitate the actuator flow and is controlled by the flexure positioned over the armature. Flexure not only provides the armature movement but also guides in the designed path. Configuration and thickness of flexure plays vital role in the actuator design. Three configurations have been studied for this application. By considering the fabrication feasibility, flexure third configuration has been conceptualised for the actuator. Analysis has been carried out for the third configuration by considering the flexure material as SS302. Based on design requirement, flexure has to travel by 0.3mm maximum on both sides from neutral position to get the desired armature movement of 0.6mm. Three variants of thickness viz., 100, 150 and 250 microns are selected for the flexure third configuration. By flexure stiffness analysis, it is clear that the force required for achieving the desired deflection of 0.30mm for 150 microns thickness is nominal and is extent of 0.8N. Hence 150 microns thickness flexure was selected for the actuator design. This paper describes stiffness variation of flexure with varying thickness for the configuration and related analysis test results