Classification of Origami-Enabled Foldable Linkages and Emerging Applications

Abstract

In the context of mechanisms, origami folds can be represented as equivalent mechanisms by taking creases as revolute joints and panels as links. This paper systematically presents various foldable closed-loop linkages extracted from origami folds and origami tessellations. The geometrical characteristics of typical origami crease patterns and patterned assemblies as well as the corresponding equivalent closed-loop linkage are investigated. The basic closed-loop linkages and complicated assemblies are classified according to their mobility in general configuration and the motion characteristics of these origami-enabled linkages are analyzed in terms of screw theory. Based on the geometry and motion analysis, possible simplified mechanisms of each complicated assembly are derived. The existing applications of the origami-inspired foldable closed-loop linkages in packaging and deployable structures, and emergence of new practical use in advanced robotics are addressed.