Bi-Stable Structures

Many deployable structures contain bi-stable features. For example, bi-stable latching elements are often used to freeze a mechanism in a particular configuration: the latch snaps when the structure reaches its deployed configuration and no further motion is possible. This chapter will show that it is possible to design complete deployable structures that are bi-stable: although much less common, this approach may lead to a future generation of structures with exciting new capabilities. We begin by explaining the concept of bi-stable deployable structures using a simple structure, and then move on to a more challenging application.