Session: MR-04-01

Paper Number: 148140

148140 - A Kresling Origami-Inspired Unit Cell With Programmable Multistability 

Multistable origami structures have been exploited for mechanical property tailoring, deployable robotic arms, wave propagation tuning and others due to its ability to possess multiple deployed states with distinct properties. Traditionally, these structures are made of bistable unit cells which results in a significant increase in the size of the system when multiple stable states are required. Recently, researchers have uncovered a third stable state in the Kresling origami pattern. Realizing this additional stable state overcomes some of the limitations that arise from bistable elements and creates the potential for realizing even more stable configurations that can be achieved in a single unit cell. Thus, there is an opportunity for expanding the design space of these Kresling unit cells to enhance its programmable multistability. In this research, we seek to develop a methodology for the design of a Kresling origami-inspired structure that can be easily programmed to achieve up to 10 stable configurations, and with potential to achieve even more. In this study, we exploit the rich kinematics of Kresling (that arise from its coupled translational and rotational deployment) and propose the strategic integration of tensile elements to realize multiple stable states. Analytically we study the unstretched length values of the strings in the system that yield the distinct number of stable states. We present the potential energy profiles with its corresponding force-displacement plots for the tristable, quadstable, pentastable and decastable unit cells. Additionally, we show how by simply adjusting the unstretched length values of the strings we can tune the number of stable states and axial stiffness of the unit cell. These results are validated experimentally. Lastly, a study is performed on the mechanical property tailoring capabilities of two unit cells assembled in series. The results show that the decastable unit cell can achieve up to 52 more discrete values of equivalent stiffness than the bistable one, and for the bistable unit cell to match this number it will require 52 more unit cells which will significantly increase the size and weight of the system.

Presenting Author: Richard Rodriguez-Feliciano University of Michigan

Presenting Author Biography: Richard Rodriguez-Feliciano is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan. In 2022, he became a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellow (GRF). His research interests are in origami, metamaterials, multistable structures, structural dynamics, wave propagation and ocean wave energy harvesting. Richard obtained his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 2023 and his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez in 2020. As an undergraduate he completed internships at NASA and Boeing.

Authors:

Richard Rodriguez-Feliciano University of Michigan
Kon-Well Wang University of Michigan