Abstract
Deployable membrane structures have received wide attention in many engineering applications, such as the military, aerospace, and aviation. Their properties of light weight and high storage ratio meet the requirements for aerospace exactly. In this paper, the wrapping deployment of membrane structures inspired by leaves are simulation-analyzed for prospective improvement. Three leaf-inspired patterns are investigated and discussed from the corresponding paper-craft design principles and deployment process perspectives. The deployment performance evaluation system according to the factors effecting working performance including maximum stress, driving force, maximum strain energy, smoothness index, and maximum folding height is established based on the results of the simulation analysis. Then, a comparison between the three patterns is carried out based on the deployment performance evaluation system. Moreover, it is found that adding creases reduces the folded height but the development performance gets worse. There is a balance between the folding ratio and development performance when the additional creases are added. The results can provide useful suggestions for designing wrapping deployment structures.
Highlights
Membrane structures make it possible for aerospace to apply large-scale components
In the realm of outer space exploration and applications, membrane structures have been used for solar sails [1,2,3], sun shields [4], and antennas [5,6]
Due to their ultra-low weight, small storage volume, and good performance in folding and deployment, membrane structures, in their design and packaging have been an attractive focus in the field of space structure engineering for a long time [7,8]
Summary
Membrane structures make it possible for aerospace to apply large-scale components. In the realm of outer space exploration and applications, membrane structures have been used for solar sails [1,2,3], sun shields [4], and antennas [5,6]. Origami has been used in many fields [10,11,12] Using this strategy, Focatiis and Guest [13] investigated a small strain mechanism of folding patterns through the inspiration of deploying tree leaves to produce polygonal foldable membranes as deployable structures. Multiple spirals were used by Parque et al [24] to form a new pattern to deploy flat and curved membranes with small thicknesses Apart from these conceptual studies, wrapping membrane structures were investigated with the aid of physical models. Aerospace 2021, 8, 218 technology of the finite element software like ABAQUS, a dynamic simulation can be introduced to study the behaviors of wrapping membrane structures. TThheerree aarree ttwwoo ffoollddiinngg mmeetthhooddss ffoorr tthhee oonnee--lleeaaff uunniitt,, aass sshhoowwnn iinn FFiigguurree 22.
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