Patent ID: 6392331
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: H01H,H01L

Abstract:
A bistable actuator comprising:a lamina having at least one face, a first end, and a second end, and configured to actuate from a first stable position to a second stable position; at least one layer of piezoelectric material provided on said at least one face of said lamina at said first end of said lamina, and configured to stimulate said lamina to shift from said first stable position to said second stable position in response to an electrical activation signal; and a support element comprising an interlock coupling, and configured to support said first end and said second end of said lamina, wherein said interlock coupling is configured to interlock said first end of said lamina to said support element, and said second end of said lamina is rigidly coupled to said support element in order to keep said lamina in said first stable position; wherein said support element is configured to support the first end and the second end of said lamina in mutually staggered positions with reference to a median plane of the lamina in a non-deformed configuration in order to reduce an amount of energy required to make the lamina actuate from said first stable position to said second stable position.