The Influence Of Geometry On Origami'S Deployment Dynamics

This research investigates the effect of the geometric parameters of origami crease patterns on their deployment dynamics. In this study, we construct a dynamic model of a non-rigid Miura origami sheet based on the bar-and-hinge approach, capturing panel flexibility and inertial effects. These effects are critical in describing the dynamics of origami deployment, which are ignored in the state of the art rigid folding kinematics model. Deployment is facilitated by strain energy stored in the torsional springs at the hinged creases, and a controlled deployment velocity at one end of the Miura sheet. We theoretically and numerically analyze the deployment process of integrated Miura sheets with various geometries. Eigenvalue decomposition at different stages during the quasi-static deployment process shows that the Miura pattern's crease length ratio and panel section angle affect the fundamental natural frequency and damping ratio. Numerical studies show that changing the crease pattern geometries results in deployment paths that may substantially deviate from a nominal Miura unfolding path under rigid folding assumptions. Examination of the theoretical model reveals how crease pattern geometries affect the apparent stiffness, offering insight into this behavior. The findings of this research enable a deeper understanding of the physics behind origami deployment and pave the way for new applications of origami-based deployable structures.