Lightweight rigidly foldable canopy using composite materials
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Lightweight rigidly foldable canopy using composite materials Kensuke Ando1 · Bunji Izumi2 · Mizuki Shigematsu1 · Hiroki Tamai1 · Jun Matsuo3 · Yuki Mizuta3 · Takeshi Miyata4 · Jiro Sadanobu5 · Kai Suto6 · Tomohiro Tachi6 Received: 30 November 2019 / Accepted: 6 November 2020 © The Author(s) 2020 OPEN
Abstract This paper presents a novel origami-based portable deployable canopy system developed using fiber reinforced plastics. A modular system composed of multiple developable strips is proposed to provide a one degree-of-freedom deployment motion from a flat-folded state to a fully deployed state. Each strip is comprised of panels with embedded compliant hinges whose pattern is created in a planar configuration through the laying out of prepreg composite sheets and multi-step curing. The design process of a canopy using this system is demonstrated herein. To capture the complex behaviors and functionality, the design process involves developing different analytical models for each step starting with a simplified model and ending with a refined model. In this case, we defined a parametric design family from rigid origami theory and determined preliminary design parameters through a multi-objective optimization (MOO) scheme in order to balance performance against manufacturing constraints. We then applied geometric nonlinear analyses to assess the kinematic behaviors of the folding actions and also the buckling behavior of the structure in its deployed state. The analyses indicated the need for stability improvement, provided using tension elements. The structure was divided into developable parts that can be manufactured in a planar state. With a total mass of 27 kg, the system can be carried by two or three persons and deployed within a minute. Keywords Rigid origami · Deployable structure · Composite materials · Compliant hinge · Lightweight structure
1 Introduction Portable deployable structures are ideal solutions for temporary buildings such as shelters for disaster relief or pavilions for various events. They are: (1) rapidly erectable and retractable to satisfy urgent demands; and, (2) reusable multiple times for a variety of purposes including rare events. As such, they consume fewer resources and produce fewer waste. We observed that the following properties would further maximize the effectiveness of the structures in these aspects: 1. The structure has easily controllable deployment and folding motions. The structural module is lightweight,
requiring no additional equipment for erection or elements for finishing. 2. The structure is modular such that separate pieces can fit together to form various shapes and can be used in several states during deployment. Major approaches for creating deployable structures include pneumatic structures, deployable frames (e.g. scissors mechanisms), and foldable folded plates (i.e. origami structures). Regarding property 1, the former two mentioned solutions have an advantage in terms of their lightness. However, both require surface finishing usually composed of th
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