Stiff and Deployable Structures by Thick Miura-ori Tubes

A study conducted by Sunao Tomita et al., in collaboration with The University of Tokyo was published in the Mechanism and Machine Theory.

Origami-based structures are essential for achieving deployable mechanisms and unique mechanical properties. Among these structures, tessellation by coupling origami tubes enhances both geometric variations and mechanical properties. However, current methods for accommodating the thickness of coupled origami tubes are generally limited to manifolds, where each edge is shared by at most two faces.

In contrast, this study proposes origami-based structures composed of multiple thick Miura-ori tubes that are not restricted to manifolds, potentially having edges shared by more than two faces. This results in rigid-foldable thick origami cellular structures. Additionally, the coupling method contributes to the high stiffness of the coupled Miura-ori tubes. To demonstrate these properties, meter-scale coupled Miura-ori tubes were fabricated. The findings of this study enable the rapid construction of structures through deployment motion and enhance transportability via flat-foldability.

Title: Stiff Deployable Structures via Coupling of Thick Miura-ori Tubes along Creases
Authors: Tomita, S., Shimanuki, K., Umemoto, K., Kawamoto, A., Nomura, T., Tachi, T.
Journal Name: Mechanism and Machine Theory
Published: November 21, 2024
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2024.105851