Single part compliant flexure plate locking mechanism

grabcad

1. The latching/locking mechanism is an attachment joint (it cannot be disassembled). This uses a hook and compliant flexure plate with circular segments (like pizza slices) that will retract and hold the hook. 2. A flexure plate is a single part with can be made by laser cutting or EDM cutting methods. 3. The flexure plate is made of Al (Recommended: Aluminium Alloy 6061, Aluminium Alloy 5052, Aluminium Alloy 3003)4. The bolts designed for aligners and attaching negative space plates can be used for securing the flexure plate with negative space plates. 5. This design uses minimum material with the least number of parts.6. The maximum diameter of hook is 26mm and diameter of flexure locking hole is 16mm. The deflection required is 10mm diametrically. So, deflection required for each segment is 5mm for complete engagement.7. For 5N deflection is 0.85mm. For 30 N deflection is 5.1mm. since hook has tip angle of 45 degree, the activation/ alignment force is 30N.