US 7,126,446 B2 · Self-retracting fully compliant bistable micromechanism

Abstract

A micromechanism (104) with two unique, stable configurations is disclosed. The micromechanism (104) has a base member (120) and a shuttle (122) designed to move in linear fashion. The shuttle (122) is coupled to the base member (120) via a coupling (26) in which flexible members (50, 52) are placed under axial tension in addition to bending. The coupling (26) also has a compressive member (54) that is compressed as the flexible members (50, 52) are placed in tension. The shuttle (122) has a displacement between the stable configurations that is suitable for use with thermomechanical microactuators and microswitching applications. Such a micromechanism may have multiple couplings (26), which may be disposed on either side of the shuttle (122) and may be attached to multiple base members (120). An electric return signal may be applied to the micromechanism to thermally relax the couplings (26), thereby promoting the micromechanism (104) to return from the second stable configuration to the first stable configuration. Alternatively, a separate return actuator may be used.

Claims29

Dependent claims

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

a first base member disposed along a plane;
a shuttle configured to move along a substantially linear path parallel to the plane, the shuttle having a first position corresponding to the first stable configuration and a second position corresponding to the second stable configuration;
and
a first coupling coupled to the first base member and the shuttle, the first coupling having a first configuration that positions the shuttle in the first position and a second configuration that positions the shuttle in the second position, wherein the first coupling is configured to move from the second configuration to the first configuration in response to receipt of an electric return signal, wherein the electric return signal is applied to said first coupling.

1 more element

A method for actuating a self-retracting micromechanism from a first stable configuration to a second stable configuration, the method comprising:

exerting force against a shuttle of the micromechanism with an actuator to press the shuttle toward a second position, thereby deflecting a coupling such that at least a portion of the coupling is in tension, wherein the micromechanism comprises a first base member disposed along a plane and a first coupling coupled to the first base member and the shuttle, wherein the shuttle is configured to move along a substantially linear path parallel to the plane, the shuttle having a first position corresponding to the first stable configuration and the second position corresponding to the second stable configuration, wherein the first coupling has a first configuration that positions the shuttle in the first position and a second configuration that positions the shuttle in the second position, wherein the first coupling is configured to move from the second configuration to the first configuration in response to receipt of an electric return signal applied to said first coupling;
and
moving the shuttle toward the second position until the coupling deflects beyond an unstable equilibrium configuration of the coupling, so that the coupling exerts force on the shuttle tending to move the shuttle to the second position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-retracting fully compliant bistable micromechanism

Life of this patent

Self-retracting fully compliant bistable micromechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29