Bi-stable mechanical latch including positioning spheres

A bi-stable mechanical latching actuator, comprising:

• a first core component in abutment with a housing, the first core component including a central bore receiving a shaft and a shaft spring, wherein the shaft spring is positioned within an interior of the shaft;
• a second core component extending around the first core component, wherein the second core component and the first core component are axially moveable relative to one another;
• a third core component extending within the second core component, wherein the third core component and the second core component are axially moveable relative to one another, and wherein the third core component is positioned directly adjacent an interior surface of the second core component;
• and
• a positioning sphere extending through an opening of the first core component, wherein the positioning sphere abuts the second core component when in a first position, and wherein the positioning sphere abuts a detent of the shaft when in a second position.

A method, comprising:

• providing a bi-stable actuator, the bi-stable actuator comprising:
• a first core component in abutment with a housing, the first core component including a central bore including a shaft and a shaft spring, wherein the shaft spring is positioned within an interior of the shaft;
• a second core component extending around the first core component, wherein the second core component and the first core component are axially moveable relative to one another;
• a third core component extending within the second core component, wherein the third core component and the second core component are axially moveable relative to one another;
• and
• a positioning sphere positioned within an opening of the first core component;
• biasing the third core component within the second core component from a first radial position to a second radial position, wherein the positioning sphere abuts the second core component when the third core component is in the first radial position, and wherein the positioning sphere abuts a detent of the shaft when the third core component is in the second radial position;
• and
• biasing, in response to an external force acting on the third core component, the second core component and the third core component towards the first core component, wherein a first end of the second core component abuts a flange of the first core component, and wherein the positioning sphere is in abutment with the second core component and the detent of the shaft.