Lightweight rigidly foldable canopy using composite materials

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.

Engineering Origami: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Applications, Design Methods, and Tools

“…Recent works attempted to tackle this problem by implementing optimization algorithms to investigate geometrical variations. [ 65 ] Despite showing promising results, design outcomes remain limited by the prior selection of the pattern, which could be desired in some cases but a limitation in others. Due to the paramount importance of the pattern selection, a systematic method should be developed to support designers in this crucial step.…”

“…Recent studies investigated the feasibility of such tools showing promising results. [65] One of the main characteristics of Grasshopper is that it allows to customize functions and integrate components not initially thought to work together. This feature gives an unprecedented freedom to designers, who could be able to design, simulate, and optimize www.advancedsciencenews.com www.advancedscience.com origami-based structures in one shared platform.…”

“…Reproduced under the term of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. [ 65 ] Copyright 2020, The Authors, published by Springer. d) Beijing Greenland Center by SOM.…”

“…Ando and co‐workers investigated the design, optimization, and fabrication of a deployable origami‐based canopy (Figure 7c). [ 65 ] They proposed a rigid‐foldable and flat‐foldable modular system made of quadrilateral panels that can be deployed with one DOF after assembly. An innovative aspect of their design process is the implementation of a multiobjective optimization (MOO) method to optimize properties such as structural stiffness, acoustic, and energy performance.…”

“…c) Origami-based foldable canopy. Reproduced under the term of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License [65]. Copyright 2020, The Authors, published by Springer.…”