Competitive Advantages
Mechanical stability at multiple positions, High reliability, Flexible mechanism footprint, Simple customization procedure.
A linear element with two stable points, it can be used as trust element allows for change in length. It can transform structure from one shape to another thus allowing for morphable configuration. A new model is presented herein for a linear bi-stable compliant mechanism and design guidelines for its use. The mechanism is based on the crank-slider mechanism. This model takes into account the first mode of buckling and post-buckling behavior of a compliant segment to describe the mechanism's bi-stable behavior. The kinetic and kinematic equations, derived from the Pseudo-Rigid-Body Model, were solved numerically and are represented in plots. This representation allows the generation of step-by-step design guidelines. Because different applications may have different input requirements, two different design approaches are described herein with different parameters subsets as inputs.USF inventors have developed a substantially linear bi-stable compliant crank-slider-mechanism that requires no certain amount of rigid and flexible segments to perform its intended function, as well as design guidelines with step-by-step procedures for customization. The mechanism produces predictable and controllable length changes allowing the design to morph between multiple shapes. This type of design can be used in Shape Shifting Surfaces as an attachment to provide bi-stability to its surfaces. Common applications for bi-stable mechanisms include switches, self-closing gates, hinges, and closures.
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