Modeling and Experimental Validation of Actuating a Bistable Buckled Beam Via Moment Input

Bistable mechanisms have two stable equilibrium positions separated by a higher energy unstable equilibrium position. They are well suited for microswitches, microrelays, and many other macro- and micro-applications. This paper discusses a bistable buckled beam actuated by a moment input. A theoretical model is developed for predicting the necessary input moment. A novel experimental test setup was created for experimental verification of the model. The results show that the theoretical model is able to predict the maximum necessary input moment within 2.53%. This theoretical model provides a guideline to design bistable compliant mechanisms and actuators. It is also a computational tool to size the dimensions of buckled beams for actuating a specific mechanism.