Active interface controls having bi-stable actuation and intrinsic sensing capability

An active interface control adapted for use by a user, selectively shiftable between, and presenting a selected one of first and second stable configurations, said control comprising:

• a manipulable component configured to facilitate manual engagement by the user;
• and
• an actuator further comprising
• at least one active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in functional dimension when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, wherein the element is drivenly coupled to the component, such that the change causes the component to displace;
• and
• a bi-stable mechanism intermediate the component and element, driven by said at least one element, drivenly coupled to the component, and operable to magnify the displacement of the component, so as to result in an actuator stroke length greater than the change in dimension,
• wherein the element and mechanism are cooperatively configured to cause the control to shift to the other of said stable configurations, so as to further facilitate manual engagement by the user,
• wherein said at least one element includes first and second wires, and the wires are drivenly coupled to the mechanism non-antagonistically and operable to cause the control to shift to the first and second configurations, respectively.

A display comprising:

• a plurality of interface controls selectively shiftable between first and second stable configurations, and defining a plurality of separately shiftable sets,
• wherein each control further comprises:
• a manipulable component;
• at least one shape memory wire operable to undergo a reversible change in functional dimension when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, and drivenly coupled to the component, so as to cause the component to displace as a result of the change;
• and
• a bi-stable mechanism intermediately coupled to the wire and component, and operable to magnify the displacement of the component, so as to produce an actuator stroke greater than the change in functional dimension,
• wherein the mechanism includes at least one rigidly bent member defining anchored end points, presenting a bowed concave profile in the first configuration, and a bowed convex profile in the second configuration, so as to define a center-line of flexure.

An active interface control selectively shiftable between, and presenting a selected one of, deployed and stowed configurations, said control comprising:

• a manipulable component;
• an actuator including at least one active material element operable to undergo a reversible change in functional dimension when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, and drivenly coupled to the component, such that the change causes the component to displace and the control to shift to a non-selected one of the configurations;
• a bi-stable mechanism intermediate the component and element, drivenly coupled to the element, and operable to magnify the displacement of the component, so as to result in an actuator stroke length greater than the change in dimension;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to, and configured to receive an input from the element,
• wherein said at least one element and controller are cooperatively configured to determine a relevant or triggering condition based on the input, and cause the element to undergo the change only when determining the condition,
• wherein the mechanism includes at least one rigidly bent member defining anchored end points, presenting a bowed concave profile in the first configuration, and a bowed convex profile in the second configuration, so as to define a center-line of flexure.