Woven Quadrilateral Mesh Origami for Decoupled Pre-Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing origami tessellation techniques face challenges in decoupling coupled folds and vertices during pre-folding, leading to difficulties in manufacturing quadrilateral mesh structures with specific mechanical properties, and binding creases from different layers in stacked DDC surfaces is challenging due to point or line contacts.
Innovation Solution
A woven-based approach is employed to decouple creases during pre-folding, using a weaving process to form quadrilateral mesh origami tessellations, allowing for independent strip contraction and enabling the creation of stacked structures with enhanced stability through internal vertices and notches, and anchoring layers via openings at vertices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional origami tessellation techniques are used to fold a single sheet of paper into intricate patterns, then complex geometric structures can be created, but coupled folds and vertices cannot be decoupled during pre-folding, leading to manufacturing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single-sheet origami approach into multiple independent linear sections (strips) that can be pre-folded separately. Each strip contains creases defining quadrilateral segments, and these pre-folded strips are then assembled into a tessellated mesh structure. This segmentation allows coupled folds and vertices to be decoupled during the pre-folding stage, making manufacturing feasible while still achieving intricate repeating patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional single-sheet folding to a three-dimensional assembly process where multiple pre-folded strips are stacked and bound together. This dimensional change allows the decoupling of coupled folds and vertices by distributing them across multiple layers, resolving the manufacturing difficulty while maintaining the complex geometric structures.
2Strength
If stacked DDC surfaces are created to enhance structural properties, then mechanical strength can be improved, but binding creases from different layers is challenging due to point or line contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the structure into multiple independent linear sections that are stacked to form layers. Each layer contains creases that define quadrilateral segments, and the segmentation allows for easier binding by distributing contact points across multiple segments rather than relying on difficult point or line contacts between continuous surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary binding mechanism that connects creases from different layers. Instead of directly binding point or line contacts between stacked DDC surfaces, the intermediary approach uses the tessellated mesh structure with its distributed quadrilateral segments to facilitate easier connection between layers, improving manufacturability while maintaining mechanical strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If woven-based approach is used to decouple creases during pre-folding, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple linear sections and weaving process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation to divide the structure into multiple linear sections that can be independently pre-folded with high precision. Each section contains creases that define quadrilateral segments, and this segmentation enables manufacturing precision to be improved while the modular nature helps manage the overall device complexity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple pre-folded linear sections into a unified tessellated mesh structure through a weaving process. This merging combines the precision of individual pre-folded sections into a cohesive structure, achieving high manufacturing precision while the regular repeating pattern helps manage complexity through consistency and repetition.
4Force
If multiple layers are stacked to enhance mechanical properties, then resistance to compression forces can be improved, but the binding process becomes more difficult due to point or line contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stacked structure into multiple linear sections with creases defining quadrilateral segments. This segmentation distributes the binding requirements across multiple contact points rather than relying on difficult point or line contacts, making the binding process easier while maintaining multiple layers for enhanced compression resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary tessellated mesh structure to facilitate binding between stacked layers. Instead of directly binding point or line contacts between layers, the intermediary mesh structure with its distributed quadrilateral segments provides easier connection points, enabling simpler binding while maintaining the multi-layer structure for improved force resistance.
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
The woven-based method facilitates precise and efficient folding, resulting in structures with superior mechanical properties and sound absorption capabilities, demonstrating enhanced resistance to compression forces and improved sound insulation.
Implementation Method 1
absorbing, via the tessellated quadrilateral mesh structure, sound waves impinging on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A woven quadrilateral mesh origami structure includes first linear sections of a foldable material positioned in a first orientation, the first linear sections including first creases formed into the first linear sections that define first quadrilateral segments of the first linear sections; and second linear sections of the foldable material that are positioned in a second orientation that is not the first orientation and placed adjacent to first surfaces of alternating sections of the first linear sections and second surfaces, opposite the first surfaces, of other sections, other than the alternating sections, of the first linear sections. The second linear sections include second creases formed into the second linear sections that define second quadrilateral segments of the second linear sections, and the first quadrilateral segments of the first linear sections and the second quadrilateral segments of the second linear sections form a tessellated mesh structure.