Bistable actuation techniques, mechanisms, and applications
First Claim
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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Accused Products
Abstract
A bistable structure provided by the invention is characterized as including a deflection element that has 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. The deflection element span is provided, as-fabricated, curved in one of the two stable positions and in a mechanically unstressed condition along the length of the span. The as-fabricated curve of the deflection element span includes a curve maxima at a point along the span length that is at least about ¼ of the span length from the end points of the span. 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.
218 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A bistable structure comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification