Bistable mechanisms can be defined as mechanical systems which consist of two stable positions. The primary feature of this mechanism is that it does not need any external power to maintain the stable positions. Actuation is sufficient to shift the mechanism between the two stable positions. These stable positions do not need to be relative with the stored energy. Due to these features, they have many applications like switches, valves, self-closing gates, cabinet hinges, three ring binders, closures and clasps. The widely used flip-flop circuit is based on this principle. Compliant mechanisms transfer motion or energy. However, they gain some of their motion from the movement of flexible members. Bistable compliant mechanisms achieve bistable behavior due to the elastic deflections of flexible elements instead of relative motions of kinematic joints in conventional rigid-body bistable mechanisms. In this thesis, a precompressed beam fixed at one end and joint at the other is used to develop a bistable compliant mechanism. This beam has two symmetric first mode buckled shapes. Torsional force provides the actuation for the beam to shift between the two buckled shapes. The two buckled shapes match the two stable equilibrium positions of bistable compliant mechanisms. The beam is modelled and analyzed in ANSYS for the aforementioned conditions. It is then manufactured as per the model and practical results are verified with the values obtained during the analysis of the beam.


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    Title :

    Synthesizing precompressed beams as bistable compliant mechanisms


    Contributors:

    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    DDC:    629