An Approach to Designing Deployable Mechanisms Based on Rigid Modified Origami Flashers

Abstract

Flasher, which has been used in space engineering, is a class of origami patterns. After modifying and introducing cuts for the flasher pattern, we add nonzero thickness to the flasher and taper its panels. We find that, if appropriately driven, the modified flasher can be used as the deployable mechanism, and even envelop the curved surface in its unfolded configuration. We establish a geometric model and a kinematic model for the mechanism. Then we propose a designing approach including folding design and driving method. The folding design, which ensures that the mechanism can be folded in the folded configuration, is based on geometric constraints. The driving method, which enables the multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanism to deploy in sequence with only one actuator, is based on underactuation. A prototype is built to validate this approach.

Configuration Investigation, Structure Design and Deployment Dynamics of Rigid-Reflector Spaceborne Antenna with Deviation-Angle Panel

“…Huang et al [ 32 , 36 ] conducted the related dynamics research on small-sized RRSAs driven by torsional springs. Guang et al [ 46 ] analyzed and experimented on the deployment process of a tiny 3D-printing antenna model based on rigid modified origami flashers. Other studies [ 28 , 29 , 38 , 39 ] place the emphasis on antenna concepts, mechanism configuration synthesis and kinematics.…”

A Novel Single-Loop Mechanism and the Associated Cylindrical Deployable Mechanisms

“…Deployable mechanisms (DMs) are usually constructed by symmetrically assembling similar mechanism units, and they are capable of large configuration changes in specific manners. This enables DMs to be widely applied in aerospace engineering, civil engineering, medical and military structures, such as space antennas and reflectors [1][2][3][4][5], solar panels [6,7], mobile tents and emergency shelters [8,9], retractable rooftops [10,11], reconfigurable robots and agricultural equipment [12,13]. A large-scale DM is usually constructed by assembling modules with specific connecting approaches.…”

Load–Displacement Characterization in Three Degrees-of-Freedom for General Lamina Emergent Torsion Arrays

“…Systems of panels and low-footprint joint designs are beneficial for applications where the function of the panels depends on the panel size. This feature can be used to create networks of monolithic panels and joints to obtain desired motions and functions (e.g., deployable devices [23][24][25], printed circuit boards [26], and actuation origami [27][28][29]).…”