Facilitating Deployable Mechanisms and Structures via Developable Lamina Emergent Arrays

Keywords

lamina emergent joints, lamina emergent arrays

Abstract

A method is presented utilizing networks of lamina emergent joints, known as lamina emergent arrays, to accommodate large-curvature developable structures suited to deployable applications. By exploiting the ruling lines in developable surfaces, this method enables developable structures and mechanisms that can be manufactured with two-dimensional geometry and yet have a greater range of elastic motion than is possible with a solid sheet of material. Aligning the joints to the ruling lines also biases the structure to a specific deployment path. A mathematical model is developed to describe the resulting stiffness of the structure employing the lamina emergent arrays and equations are derived to facilitate stress analysis of the structure. Finite element results show the sensitivity of alignment of the elements in the array to the stress present in the developed structure. A specific technique for creating an array pattern for conical developable surfaces is described. Examples of developable structures and mechanisms, including curved-fold origami models transitioned to thick materials and two origami-inspired mechanisms, are examined.

Original Publication Citation

Nelson TG, Lang RJ, Pehrson NA, Magleby SP, Howell LL. Facilitating Deployable Mechanisms and Structures Via Developable Lamina Emergent Arrays. ASME. J. Mechanisms Robotics. 2016;8(3):031006-031006-10. doi:10.1115/1.4031901.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2016-03-07

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/3551

Publisher

ASME

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Department

Mechanical Engineering

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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