Thick-panel origami-based parabolic cylindrical antenna

This paper proposes a novel parabolic cylindrical antenna with great folding efficiency based on two symmetrically arranged Miura-ori thick-panel origami patterns and the removal of partial material from each panel. A design rule for the transition from the given parabolic equation to the geometric parameters of the thick-panel origami is defined. To ensure that the deployable structure has one degree of freedom (DOF), specific connectors between the two thick-panel origami patterns are designed from spherical 4R linkages and Bennett linkages, which are verified by kinematic analysis based on the assembly of linkages corresponding to the thick-panel origami pattern. Two joint-removing techniques based on the kinematic equivalence of linkages are constructed to obtain the continuous and smooth parabolic cylindrical surface and maintain the one-DOF property. The deployed/folded ratio influencing factors are fully studied, finding that a small panel thickness and a large origami pattern sector angle are necessary to obtain a high deployed/folded ratio. Finally, a prototype of the deployable structure is manufactured to verify and demonstrate its excellent performance.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a novel parabolic cylindrical antenna with great folding efficiency by utilizing origami patterns and selective removal of material. Design rules for transforming the parabolic equation to the origami patterns are defined. Specific connectors are designed between the origami patterns to ensure a one degree of freedom deployable structure. Joint-removing techniques are introduced to achieve a continuous and smooth parabolic cylindrical surface.