Tunable Load Adjustment Mechanism by SMA-Actuated Bistable Beam

  • Yuhang Zhang
  • , Xiaoyong Zhang*
  • , Jun Jiang
  • , Qiang Zhang
  • , Yuanzi Zhou
  • , Ruijie Sun
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A novel SMA-actuated bistable beam was fabricated and investigated to fulfill load adjustment in this study. The SMA curved beam actuator was connected with the compliant beam, implementing both load bearing and self-actuating. The prototype and the fabrication process of the bistable mechanism were also developed. Considering multiple inflection points in the deflection curve, the bistable snap-back mechanism was modeled and analyzed through large deflection theory. Moreover, the moment–angle curve, the evolution of deflection modes, and the energy landscape were presented. The key characteristic of the studied bistable system was the capability of horizontal load adjustment during snap-back, which was employed to design the fully compliant mechanisms with variable ranges of load adjustment. Experiments were conducted to test the performance of load adjustment. It was found that the decrease of horizontal load could be reached. The adjustment range of horizontal load could be controlled through the geometric parameters of compliant beam and SMA curved beam actuator. Moreover, the bistable beam could be reset by applying a concentrated force and cycling actuation test was conducted to confirm that point. The proposed bistable mechanism is compact, self-actuating, and fully compliant, implying the potential application in programmable structures and metamaterials.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Mechanism and Machine Science and Engineering in China - Proceedings of IFToMM CCMMS 2024
EditorsYan Chen, Lujiang Liu, Xinjun Liu, Haitao Liu, Ming Li, Tao Sun
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages331-343
Number of pages13
ISBN (Print)9789819614660
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
Event24th IFToMM China International Conference on Mechanism and Machine Science and Engineering, IFToMM CCMMS 2024 - Tianjin, China
Duration: 12 Aug 202414 Aug 2024

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering
ISSN (Print)2195-4356
ISSN (Electronic)2195-4364

Conference

Conference24th IFToMM China International Conference on Mechanism and Machine Science and Engineering, IFToMM CCMMS 2024
Country/TerritoryChina
CityTianjin
Period12/08/2414/08/24

Keywords

  • Bistable beam
  • Fully compliant mechanisms
  • Large deflection analysis
  • Shape memory alloy actuator
  • Snap-back

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tunable Load Adjustment Mechanism by SMA-Actuated Bistable Beam'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this