Design of Mechanisms: Buckled Beam Mechanisms

This lecture discusses the design and application of flexure mechanisms utilizing buckled beams. It begins with an introduction to buckled beams, defining their mechanical functions such as bistability, snap-through, energy storage, and stiffness tuning. The instructor presents a modeling approach for buckled beams and a catalog of elementary mechanisms that incorporate these beams. A generic design methodology is proposed, followed by various application examples demonstrating the practical use of buckled beams in engineering. The lecture emphasizes the importance of understanding the load-deformation characteristics of these mechanisms and how they can be manipulated for different engineering applications. The instructor also addresses the challenges and considerations in using buckled beams, including preloading types and the effects of external loads. The session concludes with insights into the state of the art in buckled beam mechanisms and their potential for innovative applications in mechanical engineering.