Design and Analysis of an Origami-inspired Modular Thick-panel Deployable Structure

This paper proposes a novel single-degree-of-freedom (single-DOF) modular thick-panel deployable structure (MTDS) based on the single-vertex four-crease and single-vertex six-crease origami methods combined with the offset panel technique and the hinge shift technique. Firstly, the mobility of the modular unit is comprehensively analyzed using screw theory and geometric method. By combining the advantages of different thick-panel conversion technologies, a number of issues affecting the design of modular units are solved. Secondly, the longitudinal and transverse combination patterns of the modular unit are investigated and the key factors which affect the unfolding/folding ratio of the MTDS are analyzed, based on geometric method. According to the motion characteristics of the modular unit, a drive device is designed which realizes the multi-point composite motion mode by single-DOF driving. Then, using the optimized thick-panel model, the potential engineering application in the solar wings of an aircraft is explored. Finally, experiments base on physical prototype are conducted. In addition, the proposed MTDS and drive device provide important references for the design of other rigid plane deployable structures with large unfolding/folding ratio, large unfolded area.