Kinematic Analysis of Foldable Plate Structures With Rolling Joints

Abstract

Rolling joints, which are created by attaching two cylindrical surfaces of equal radius using two or more thin tapes or cable, are used for rigid origami considering the panel thickness. First, the concept and two implementation methods of this joint are given. Then planar linkages are chosen to study the mobility and kinematics of foldable plate structures with rolling joints. It can be found that the rolling joints preserve the full-cycle-motion of foldable plate structures. From the closure equations of linkages, the results show that the outputs of linkages with rolling joints are the same as that with traditional revolute joints if the lengths of links are equal. However, the results are different when the lengths of links are unequal. Moreover, the difference between linkages with rolling joints and revolute joints increases with an increase of the size of rolling joints.