Compliant bistable micromechanism

A method for determining desired values of a plurality of geometric characteristics for a selected compliant structure configured to have at least one objective characteristic, the method comprising:

• establishing initial geometric characteristics of the selected compliant structure, wherein the initial geometric characteristics define an interim configuration;
• applying a first recursive optimization algorithm wherein a random geometric characteristic of the interim configuration is changed and the randomly changed geometric characteristic is integrated into and redefines the interim configuration according to an objective comparison algorithm, wherein the first recursive optimization algorithm iterates until the interim configuration is proximate a global optimum;
• applying a second recursive optimization algorithm wherein a vector is created by adjusting geometric characteristics of the interim configuration such that the vector identifies a number of improved geometric characteristics, wherein the improved geometric characteristics are integrated into the interim configuration, the second recursive optimization algorithm iterating until the interim configuration is within a threshold range of the global optimum;
• and
• establishing the desired values of the geometric characteristics for the selected compliant structure from the geometric characteristics of the globally optimized interim configuration.

A method for determining desired values of a plurality of analytical characteristics for a selected compliant structure configured to have at least one objective characteristic, the method comprising:

• establishing initial analytical characteristics of the selected compliant structure, wherein the initial analytical characteristics define an interim configuration;
• applying a first recursive optimization algorithm wherein a random analytical characteristic of the interim configuration is changed and the randomly changed analytical characteristic is integrated into and redefines the interim configuration according to an objective comparison algorithm, wherein the first recursive optimization algorithm iterates until the interim configuration is proximate a global optimum;
• applying a second recursive optimization algorithm wherein a vector is created by adjusting analytical characteristics of the interim configuration such that the vector identifies a number of improved analytical characteristics, wherein the improved analytical characteristics are integrated into and redefine the interim configuration, the second recursive optimization algorithm iterating until the interim configuration is within a threshold range of the global optimum;
• and
• establishing the desired values of the analytical characteristics for the selected compliant structure from the analytical characteristics of the globally optimized interim configuration.

A method for determining desired values of a plurality of analytical characteristics for a selected compliant structure configured to have at least one objective characteristic, the method comprising:

• determining a desired objective characteristic to be obtained for the selected compliant structure;
• creating an analytical model of the selected compliant structure, the analytical model having a plurality of substantially rigid elements connected by at least one joint, the analytical model having a plurality of analytical model characteristics corresponding to the analytical model, wherein the analytical model characteristics define an interim configuration;
• applying a first recursive optimization algorithm wherein a random analytical model characteristic of the interim configuration is changed and the randomly changed analytical model characteristic is integrated into and redefines the interim configuration according to an objective comparison algorithm, wherein the first recursive optimization algorithm iterates until the interim configuration is proximate a global optimum;
• applying a second recursive optimization algorithm wherein a vector is created by adjusting the analytical model characteristics of the interim configuration such that the vector identifies a number of improved analytical model characteristics, wherein the improved analytical model characteristics are integrated into and redefine the interim configuration, the second recursive optimization algorithm iterating until the interim configuration is within a threshold range of the global optimum;
• determining the desired values of the analytical characteristics that correspond to the values of the analytical model characteristics.

A micromechanism having a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration, the micromechanism comprising:

• a first base member;
• a first beam section coupled to the first base member;
• a solid and rigid shuttle integrally formed with the base member such that the shuttle is translatable between a first low potential energy position corresponding to the first stable configuration and a second low potential energy position corresponding to the second stable configuration, wherein the shuttle is sized for use in microelectromechanical systems;
• and
• a flexural pivot connecting the shuttle to the first beam section, wherein the flexural pivot has a thinner cross-section than the first beam section.

A micromechanism having a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration, the micromechanism comprising:

• a solid and rigid shuttle sized for use in microelectromechanical systems, wherein the shuttle is translatable between a first low potential energy position corresponding to the first stable configuration and a second low potential energy position corresponding to the second stable configuration;
• a first leg coupled to the shuttle;
• and
• a first deformable mount coupled to the first leg such that the shuttle, the first leg, and the first deformable mount are integrally formed, the first deformable mount having a plurality of deformed configurations in which the shuttle is disposed between the first and second positions such that the first deformable mount urges the shuttle toward one of the first position and the second position, the first deformable mount further having an undeformed configuration.

A micromechanism having a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration, the micromechanism comprising:

• a solid and rigid shuttle with a first low potential energy position corresponding to the first stable configuration and a second low potential energy position corresponding to the second stable configuration;
• a first leg;
• a first shuttle pivot coupling disposed between the shuttle and the leg;
• a first base member;
• and
• a first base pivot coupling disposed between the leg and the base member;
• wherein the shuttle, the first leg, the first shuttle pivot coupling, the first base member, and the first base pivot coupling are all integrally formed with each other, and wherein at least one of the first shuttle pivot coupling and the first base pivot coupling has a longitudinal length different from a longitudinal length of the first leg.

A micromechanism having a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration, the micromechanism comprising:

• a first base member;
• a second base member separated from the first base member by an offset distance;
• and
• a compliant bridge coupled to and integrally formed with the first and second base members, wherein the compliant bridge has a nonuniform longitudinal length and is disposable along a first path corresponding to the first stable configuration and a second path corresponding to the second stable configuration, wherein each of the first and second paths is longer than the offset distance, wherein the compliant bridge comprises a solid and rigid shuttle.