Classification, Collection, and Simulation of Folding Mechanisms

Folding mechanisms are linkages consisting of rigid panels, which offer the possibility to change their mechanical and geometrical properties, e.g. from compact to widespread, from compliant to stiff or from planar to spatial. This can be used for the functional reconfiguration of the underlying mechanisms. Applications for folding mechanisms can be found whenever panel-like elements are required such as in optical, acoustical or material flow use cases. However, only few examples have been realised because of complex kinematic and kinetostatic dependencies. In this paper, a modular Folding Mechanisms Library for Simulink is presented. Beforehand, a classification for folding mechanisms is introduced, which builds the basis for a collection of such linkages and the Simulink library. Identified folding mechanisms from the collection are then examined by the designed library tools to determine key figures. Altogether, approaches are proposed which simplify the development and design of folding mechanisms by supporting the structural - by means of a collection - and dimensional synthesis - by means of easier simulation and key figures.