Compact Directional and Frictional Hinges for Flat Folding Applications

Abstract

Thick-rigid deployable origami structures make use of compliant mechanisms to create folds and hinging surfaces. This paper examines the potential types of compact directional and frictional hinges to supplement the usage of compliant mechanisms in flat-folding applications. Rigid motioncontrolling hinges offer many opportunities to deployable origami. Hinges, in the form of hard stops, ratchets, or spring detents can allow for complex shape generation through kinematic manipulation. Hinged origami lends itself well to the creation of origami robotics, deployable structures, and arrays. With the ability to offer a high packing factor and create a self-supporting deployable structure, further research should be conducted into the application and development of hinged origami.