From Origami to a New Class of Centralized 3-DOF Parallel Mechanisms

Abstract

This paper applies the ‘technomimetics’ concept to generate a new class of parallel mechanisms inspired by origami folds. This new class of 3-DOF (Degree of Freedom) parallel mechanisms is constructed with 3-RPRP architecture. When the geometric constraints mentioned in this paper are applied, the mechanisms will be allowed to rotate around the x and y axes and translate vertically along the z axis, while the centre of the platform remains concentric to the centre of its base. This paper investigates both position and geometry of these mechanisms and identifies the closed form solutions for the inverse kinematics problem. The differential kinematical analysis is developed by deriving the Jacobian matrix through screw theory and the singularities are identified with workspace analysis. The paper ends with isotropic configuration analysis and illustrates the characteristics of the new mechanisms.