An Approach to Designing Deployable Mechanisms Based on Rigid Modified Origami Flashers

Flasher, which has been used in space engineering, is a class of origami patterns. After modifying and introducing cuts for the flasher pattern, we add nonzero thickness to the flasher and taper its panels. We find that, if appropriately driven, the modified flasher can be used as the deployable mechanism, and even envelop the curved surface in its unfolded configuration. We establish a geometric model and a kinematic model for the mechanism. Then we propose a designing approach including folding design and driving method. The folding design, which ensures that the mechanism can be folded in the folded configuration, is based on geometric constraints. The driving method, which enables the multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanism to deploy in sequence with only one actuator, is based on underactuation. A prototype is built to validate this approach.