Summary

Three examples of useful bistable compliant mechanisms: Tweezers, Bearing puller, and Vise-grips.

A bistable compliant mechanism is a type of mechanical structure or system that can exist stably in two distinct equilibrium states. In other words, it has two stable configurations or positions that it can maintain without the need for a continuous external power source. In these examples, the two states are "open" and "closed".

The term "compliant" refers to the flexibility or deformability of the mechanism, allowing it to achieve these two stable states through deformation of its structural elements.