Non-Planar Hinge Mechanism with Rolling-Contact Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thick rigidly foldable mechanisms face mechanical interference issues when transitioning from a zero-thickness model to non-zero thickness panels, particularly in achieving kinematic motions and avoiding mechanical interferences, especially in deployable structures that require flat-folded states.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Synchronized-Offset Rolling-Contact Elements (SORCE) mechanisms, which utilize rolling-contact hinges with synchronized offset functions to accommodate panels of arbitrary thickness, ensuring kinematic single-degree-of-freedom motion while avoiding mechanical interferences by designing specific offset functions for each panel, allowing for continuous motion from the unfolded to fully folded states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pure revolution hinges are used to replicate folding motion in rigid panels, then the kinematic behavior of zero-thickness origami mechanisms is preserved, but mechanical interference occurs when panels have non-negligible thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an offset function as an intermediary element between the hinge axis and the panel fold line. This offset function acts as a mediator that decouples the hinge rotation from direct panel folding, allowing thick panels to rotate about an offset axis while their fold lines remain coplanar, thereby preventing mechanical interference while preserving kinematic behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the fixed hinge axis position into a variable offset function that changes with the panel configuration. By making the hinge axis position a variable parameter rather than a fixed geometric constraint, the system can accommodate panel thickness while maintaining the mathematical equivalence to zero-thickness origami mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If hinges are positioned at the fold lines of rigid panels, then the folding motion is directly replicated, but mechanical interference prevents smooth transitions in thick panel mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The offset function serves as an intermediary that separates the hinge axis from the fold line. This allows the hinge to be positioned away from the fold line at a distance defined by the offset function, enabling smooth rotation without mechanical interference while still achieving the desired folding motion through the offset mechanism
3Device complexity
If zero-thickness origami models are directly translated to rigid panels, then the design simplicity is maintained, but the kinematic behavior breaks down with non-negligible panel thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the origami mechanism by introducing an offset function that accounts for panel thickness. This parameter change transforms the zero-thickness model into a thick-panel model while preserving the underlying kinematic behavior through mathematical equivalence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the folding mechanism into distinct components: the panel fold lines, the hinge axes, and the offset function. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, maintaining design simplicity while enabling accurate representation of thick panel behavior
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
SORCE mechanisms enable the design of thick rigidly foldable origami patterns that maintain the kinematic behavior of zero-thickness models, accommodating arbitrary panel thickness and ensuring smooth transitions between unfolded and folded states without mechanical interferences, thus overcoming the limitations of previous techniques.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the hinges is a rolling-contact hinge
Implementation Method 2
the rolling surfaces remain in contact with each other without substantial slippage
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged mechanism includes: panels; and hinges connecting respective pairs of the panels to each other in a closed loop so that the hinged mechanism is non-planar, wherein at least one of the hinges is a rolling-contact hinge. All of the hinges can be rolling-contact hinges. The closed-loop hinged mechanism can comprise at least four hinges, each of the at least four hinges being a sole connection between a respective adjacent pair of the panels. A cross section of rolling surfaces of the rolling-contact hinge can be circular. A cross section of rolling surfaces of the rolling-contact hinge can be non-circular.