Our inventors have designed a cone structure using bistable col-lapsible compliant mechanism technology. The transformation from a planar lamina shape to a cone shape requires only small pulling or compressing force to switch between the two states. This new mechanism is utilized in a lamina-emergent cone, and is based on transforming a polygon spiral into spatial cone shape us-ing a mechanism composed of compliant links and joints that exhibit bistable behavior. It will provide useful functions such as switches and relays, and can be manufactured on a microscale.
Lamina emergent cone in both stable positions, the planar position and cone position (top and side views)