Pivot mechanism with flexible elements for large-amplitude rotation guiding and pivot assembly comprising a plurality of said pivot mechanism

A pivot mechanism for guiding in rotation, comprising:

• a mobile element pivotally connected to a fixed element about a pivot axis through circumferentially-spaced flexible connections, the mobile element and fixed element comprising hollow outer bodies concentrically superimposed on each other about the pivot axis;
• each of the flexible connections comprising:
• an intermediary junction concentrically disposed about the pivot axis, wherein the intermediary junctions are coplanar within a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis and circumferentially spaced about the pivot axis;
• each intermediary junction comprising a short rigid frame member and a long rigid frame member extending radially therefrom at opposing circumferential ends thereof, wherein each long rigid frame member is connected to an adjacent short rigid frame member of an adjacent intermediary junction via a respective coupling member extending radially therebetween;
• a first main blade extending radially between and connecting the intermediary junction to an inner surface of the hollow outer body of the mobile element;
• and
• a second main blade extending radially between and connecting the intermediary junction to an inner surface of the hollow outer body of the fixed element,
• wherein each of said first and second main blades are configured to flex and define a first angular amplitude about the pivot axis;
• each intermediary junction being separated from adjacent intermediary junctions by an expansion slot configured to expand during the rotation of the mobile element, so that the mobile element can pivot relative to the fixed element about the pivot axis according to a second angular amplitude that is greater than the first angular amplitude;
• wherein each of the coupling members comprises at least one flexible coupling blade;
• and
• wherein each of the coupling members is configured to allow simultaneous expansion of the expansion slots when the mobile element pivots relative to the fixed element about the pivot axis and to prevent a movement of the mobile element out of the plane and a lateral movement of the mobile element in the plane.