Multi-stable actuator for tactile interface, has springs displacing movable part between stable positions, where movable and fixed parts have projection and hollow parts coinciding with each other to maintain movable part in each position

摘要

The actuator has springs (14, 16) made of shape memory alloy and displacing a movable part (12) with respect to a fixed reference part (18), between two stable positions. Each part has sliding zones (122, 186), where displacement of zone (122) is guided along zone (186). The parts (12, 18) have projection parts (20) and hollow parts (22), respectively, which coincide with each other to maintain the part (12) in each position. An independent claim is also included for a tactile interface having multi-stable actuators.