Design, Analysis, Experimentation, and Control of a Partially Compliant Bistable Mechanism

This study presents the design analysis and development of a novel partially compliant bistable mechanism. Motion behavior dependence on links and relative angles are analyzed, lumped parameter model is derived, mechanism parts including the compliant members are three-dimensional (3D) printed and a state feedback controller is implemented so that the slider follows a well-defined trajectory if designed as an actuator. The proposed mechanism consists of initially straight, large deflecting fixed-pinned compliant links, rigid links, and a sliding mass. Dynamic response of the mechanism is studied using elliptic integral solutions, pseudo rigid body model (PRBM), vector closure loop equations and Elliptic integrals. Nonlinear model is simulated in matlab simulink using fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithms. The research emphasizes on the realization and dynamic response of the mechanism and the trajectory control of the slider so that the slider can be kept constant at specified distances resulting a dwell motion if designed as a linear actuator.