DETENT MECHANISM

摘要

The invention provides a controllable detent or latch and release mechanism the stiffness of which can be altered by the application of for instance an electric field. The stiffness of the device overall is a combination of a mechanical stiffness provided by for instance a leaf spring and the stiffness of a piezoelectric device. This provides a robust device which can be easily controlled by electric circuitry and it can be incorporated in electric switching or safety control mechanisms.