A New Family of Deployable Mechanisms Derived From Two-Layer and Two-Loop Spatial Linkages With Five Revolute Pair Coupling Chains

Abstract

This paper aims to construct a novel family of deployable mechanisms from a class of two-layer and two-loop spatial linkages, each of which consists of an eight revolute pair (8R) single-loop linkage connected by a 5R serial chain. First, structural characteristics of the class of linkages as deployable units are analyzed and illustrated. Then, the two-layer and two-loop spatial linkages with 5R chains satisfying the structural characteristics are systematically synthesized. Mobile assembly modes between deployable units are established based on degree-of-freedom (DOF) analysis. Finally, a family of single DOF deployable mechanisms is constructed based on the synthesized deployable units and the established assembly modes. The derived deployable mechanisms have the characteristic of the umbrella-like structure, and they have various mesh shapes, which can meet different kinds of application requirements.