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Bistable actuation techniques, mechanisms, and applications

  • US 20030029705A1
  • Filed: 01/18/2002
  • Published: 02/13/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A bistable structure comprising:

  • a deflection element including mechanically constrained end points and a compliant span between the end points that is substantially free to deflect between two stable positions when a force is applied at a point along the span;

    wherein the deflection element span is provided, as-fabricated, curved in one of the two stable positions and in a mechanically unstressed condition along span length;

    wherein the as-fabricated curve of the deflection element span includes a curve maxima at a point along span length that is at least about ¼

    of the span length from the end points of the span; and

    wherein the deflection element span is constrained to substantially prohibit development of a second bending mode that is characteristic for the span as the element deflects between the two stable positions.

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