Design of a linear micro-feeding system featuring bistable mechanisms

Abstract

This paper presents an integrated design of a linear micro-feeding system that is composed of translating and positioning subsystems. The former is an integration of a micro-slider, a scratch-drive actuator and a spring to perform the function of translating objects. The latter consists of a bistable micro-mechanism and a tether to create both clutching and locking functions. The bistable micro-mechanism features the advantages of less energy consumption as well as disturbance rejection since it needs the external power input only when switching between the two stationary positions. The proposed design of the micro-feeding system was fabricated with a surface micro-machining process and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system is practicable. Furthermore, a mirror assembly, one of the possible applications, has been realized and it performs as well as expected.