Modeling and analysis of some planar deployable mechanisms. Part 1: translational bar mechanisms

Abstract Deployable structures can change their shape and volume in order to dynamic answering to changing needs. Depending on how the transformation is doing, transformable structures can be deployable or demountable, as a kit-parts system. These structures can be classified in four main groups: structures based on spatial articulated bar mechanisms; foldable plate structures; tensegrity structures; and membrane structures. In this paper, some general geometric design aspects of deployable bar structures are discussed and some translational bar mechanisms for deployable structures are proposed. More results on the geometric design, dimensional synthesis and simulation of these scissor structural mechanisms will be presented in future work.