Configuration design and experimental verification of a variable constant-force compliant mechanism

Abstract The realizing of variable output constant force has received wide attention. To achieve a force regulation in an economic way, a configuration of the constant force mechanism (CFM) referring to positive and negative stiffness combination method is proposed in this paper. By adjusting preloading displacement applied on positive-stiffness structure of the CFM, the variable constant force output can be realized. The force–displacement expression of the CFM in the non-preloaded condition is deduced by the established analytical models. Furthermore, parametric sensitivity analysis with several architectural parameters are conducted for optimizing physical structures. Finally, the correctness of the proposed principle is verified by experimental studies. The observed experimental results show that the CFM under different preloading displacements can provide required output constant force, which is consistent with proposed hypothesis.