A locking and unlocking mechanism integrating compliant and rigid structures for modular vehicles

This paper presents the design of a novel rigid–compliant-integrated locking and unlocking mechanism tailored for applications such as modular vehicle systems, where automated connection, compactness, and high-stiffness locking are essential. The proposed approach combines rigid and compliant components: rigid elements handle high load-bearing and self-locking tasks, while compliant elements are used in low-load, planar-motion sections to reduce friction and wear, simplifying the design. A detailed mechanism configuration is introduced, along with dynamic modeling and simulation. Stress analysis confirms that the compliant parts remain within safe limits under significant deformation. A 3D-printed prototype was fabricated, and preliminary tests verify the feasibility of the design. By integrating the advantages of both rigid and compliant mechanisms, the system achieves simplicity, reliability, and compactness while enabling automated actuation via a motor. This work offers a reference for future designs of rigid–compliant-integrated systems and provides a new configuration concept for locking and unlocking mechanisms.