Volume Optimisation of Multi-stable Origami Bellows for Deployable Space Habitats

Abstract

Origami bellows are formed by folding flat sheets into closed cylindrical structures along predefined creases. As the bellows unfold, the volume of the origami structure will change significantly, offering potential for use as inflatable deployable structures. This paper presents a geometric study of the volume of multi-stable Miura-ori and Kresling bellows, focusing on their application as deployable space habitats. Such habitats would be compactly stowed during launch, before expanding once in orbit. The internal volume ratio between different deployed states is investigated across the geometric design space. As a case study, the SpaceX Falcon 9 payload fairing is chosen for the transportation of space habitats. The stowed volume and effective deployed volume of the origami space habitats are calculated to enable comparison with conventional habitat designs. Optimal designs for the deployment of Miura-ori and Kresling patterned tubular space habitats are obtained using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) techniques. Configurations with significant volume expansion can be found in both patterns, with the Miura-ori patterns achieving higher volume expansion due to their additional radial deployment. A multi-objective PSO (MOPSO) is adopted to identify trade-offs between volumetric deployment and radial expansion ratios for the Miura-ori pattern.

The Kresling origami spring: a review and assessment

“…This raises questions regarding their initial assumption that the contribution of the axial strain in the trusses is negligible, which also contradicts with earlier findings that multi-stability arises due to panel stretching, and not panel bending [37,125]. KOSs with tri-stable potential can be achieved by outward popping of the valley creases [80,[128][129][130]. In [80], Wang et al modified the truss model to include the outward popping of the valley creases by considering a mid-node along each valley crease.…”

Preliminary Design and Optimization of a CubeSat Demonstrator for an Origami-inspired Deployable Structure

“…Such structures could use flexible or deployable engineering solutions because of the limited payload volume that launchers can offer [3]. For instance, Yang et al [4] carried out a volume optimization for this particular application which highlights the advantages of this approach versus the conventional rigid habitat solution.…”

Kresling origami derived structures and inspired mechanical metamaterial

“…Along this line, Wo and Filipov [23] proposed a pop-out stable-state of the Kresling conical origami and proved the high stiffness of this state. Yang et al [26] studied the volume of multiple stable states of the Kresling origami through this idea, exploring the application of deployable space habitats. Zhang et al [27] added crease lines selectively within different cells, realizing seven distinct motion modes of the Kresling origami.…”