Design of Deployable Structures by Using Bistable Compliant Mechanisms

Abstract

A deployable structure can significantly change its geometric shape by switching lattice configurations. Using compliant mechanisms as the lattice units can prevent wear and friction among multi-part mechanisms. This work presents two distinctive deployable structures based on a programmable compliant bistable lattice. Several novel parameters are introduced into the bistable mechanism to better control the behaviour of bistable mechanisms. By adjusting the defined geometry parameters, the programmable bistable lattices can be optimized for specific targets such as a larger deformation range or higher stability. The first structure is designed to perform 1D deployable movement. This structure consists of multi-series-connected bistable lattices. In order to explore the 3D bistable characteristic, a cylindrical deployable mechanism is designed based on the curved double tensural bistable lattice. The investigation of bistable lattices mainly involves four types of bistable mechanisms. These bistable mechanisms are obtained by dividing the long segment of traditional compliant bistable mechanisms into two equal parts and setting a series of angle data to them, respectively. The experiment and FEA simulation results confirm the feasibility of the compliant deployable structures.