Engineering Commons^™

A Model For Multi-Input Mechanical Advantage In Origami-Based Mechanisms, Jared Butler, Adam Shrager, Timothy Simpson, Landen Bowen, Mary Frecker, Robert Lang, Eric Wilcox, Paris Von Lockette, Larry L. Howell, Spencer P. Magleby

Faculty Publications

Mechanical advantage is traditionally defined for single input and single-output rigid-body mechanisms. A generalized approach for identifying single-output mechanical advantage for a multiple-input compliant mechanism, such as many origami-based mechanisms, would prove useful in predicting complex mechanism behavior. While origami-based mechanisms are capable of offering unique solutions to engi neering problems, the design process of such mechanisms is complicated by the interaction of motion and forces. This paper presents a model of the mechanical advantage for multi input compliant mechanisms and explores how modifying the parameters of a model affects their behavior. The model is used to predict the force-deflection …

Origami-Based Design Of Conceal-And-Reveal Systems, Bryce P. Defigueiredo, Kyler A. Tolman, Spencer P. Magleby, Nathan A. Pehrson, Erica Crampton, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

This work introduces a type of motion termed “conceal-and-reveal” which is characterized by a state that protects a payload, a state that exposes the payload, and coupled motions between these two states. As techniques for thick, rigid origami-based engineering designs are being developed, origami is becoming increasingly more

attractive as inspiration for complex systems. This paper proposes a process for designing origami-based conceal- and-reveal systems, which can be generalized to design similar thick, rigid origami-based systems. The process

is demonstrated through the development of three conceal-and-reveal systems that present a luxury product to the consumer. The three designs also confirm …

Origami-Inspired Sacrificial Joints For Folding Compliant Mechanisms, Todd G. Nelson, Alex Avila, Larry L. Howell, Just L. Herder, Davood Farhadi Machekposhtic

Faculty Publications

Folding is a manufacturing method which can create complex 3D geometries from flat materi- als and can be particularly useful in cost-sensitive or planar-limited fabrication applications.

This paper introduces compliant mechanisms that employ folding techniques from origami to evolve from a flat material to deployed state. We present origami-inspired sacrificial joints, joints which have mobility during assembly of the mechanism but are rigid in their final position, to create regions of high and low stiffness and the proper alignment of compliant flexures in folded mechanisms. To demonstrate the method we fold steel sheet to create some well-known and complex compliant …

Normalized Coordinate Equations And Energy Method For Predicting Natural Curved-Fold Configurations, Jacob Badger, Todd G. Nelson, Rober J. Lang, Denise M. Halverson, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Of the many valid configurations that a curved fold may assume, it is of particular interest to identify natural—or lowest energy—configurations that physical models will preferentially assume. We present normalized coordinate equations—equations that relate fold surface properties

to their edge of regression—to simplify curved-fold rela- tionships. An energy method based on these normalized

coordinate equations is developed to identify natural con- figurations of general curved folds. While it has been noted

that natural configurations have nearly planar creases for curved folds, we show that non-planar behavior near the crease ends substantially reduces the energy of a fold.

Origami-Based Deployable Ballistic Barrier, Kenny Seymour, Dakota Burrow, Alex Avila, Terri Bateman, David C. Morgan, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

This paper demonstrates how recent developments in origami crease pattern adaptation, surrogate folds, and thickness accommodation techniques enabled development of an origami-based deployable ballistic barrier. The barrier crease pattern was employed using the membrane-fold technique for surrogate folds and to assist in thickness accommodation. A proof-of-concept barrier was fabricated and tested, demonstrating ballistic resistance, a large deployment ratio, and rapid deployment times.

Towards Developing Product Applications Of Thick Origami Using The Offset Panel Technique, Michael R. Morgan, Robert J. Lang, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Several methods have been developed to accommodate for the use of thick materials in origami models which preserve either the model’s full range of motion or its kinematics. The offset panel technique (OPT) preserves both the range of motion and the kinematics while allowing for a great deal of flexibility in design. This work explores new possibilities for origami-based product applications presented by the OPT. Examples are included to illustrate fundamental capabilities that can be realized with thick materials such as accommodation of various materials in a design and manipulation of panel geometry resulting in an increased stiffness and strength. …

Dynamic Control Of Radiative Surface Properties With Origami-Inspired Design, Rydge B. Mulford, Matthew R. Jones, Brian D. Iverson

Faculty Publications

Thermal management systems for space equipment commonly use static solutions that do not adapt to environmental changes. Dynamic control of radiative surface properties is one way to respond to environmental changes and to increase the capabilities of spacecraft thermal management systems. This paper documents an investigation of the extent to which origami-inspired surfaces may be used to control the apparent absorptivity of a reflective material. Models relating the apparent absorptivity of a radiation shield to time-dependent surface temperatures are presented. Results show that the apparent absorptivity increases with increasing fold density and indicate that origami-inspired designs may be used to …

Rigidly Foldable Origami Gadgets And Tessellations, Thomas A. Evans, Robert J. Lang, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Rigidly foldable origami allows for motion where all deflection occurs at the crease lines and facilitates the application of origami in materials other than paper. In this paper, we use a recently discovered method for determining rigid foldability to identify existing flat-foldable rigidly foldable tessellations, which are also categorized. We introduce rigidly foldable origami gadgets which may be used to modify existing tessellations or to create new tessellations. Several modified and new rigidly foldable tessellations are presented.

Curved-Folding-Inspired Deployable Compliant Rolling-Contact Element (D-Core), Todd Nelson, Robert Lang, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

This work describes a deployable compliant rolling-contact element joint (DCORE joint) that employs curved-folding origami techniques to enable transition from a flat to deployed state. These deployable joints can be manufactured from a single sheet of material. Two fundamental configurations of the D-CORE are presented. The first configuration allows for motion similar to that of a Jacob’s ladder when the joint is in a planar state while achieving the motion of a CORE when in the deployed state. The second configuration constrains all degrees of freedom to create a static structure when the joint is in the planar state and …

A Position Analysis Of Coupled Spherical Mechanisms In Action Origami, Landen A. Bowen, L. A. Baxter, Spencer P. Magleby, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Origami has been previously utilized in design to create deployable systems. Action origami, origami designed to move, has the ability to deploy to a larger state and have motion in the deployed state. The majority of action origami achieves motion through coupled systems of spherical mechanisms. An origami vertex, the point at which folds converge, is shown to be equivalent to a spherical change-point mechanism. A position analysis of an origami vertex is presented, resulting in a relationship between input and output angles as well as the path of the coupler link. A method for analyzing coupled systems of repeated …