Analysis of Rotational Erection System (RES) Configuration Forming and Recovery Characteristics

Origami is frequently used in the design of deployable structures due to its large storage ratio and simple structure. A bistable characteristic is a common feature of origami-inspired structures. In this paper, a new configuration is designed with a bistable characteristic; the forming behavior and restoration process were investigated by experimental and finite element methods. The rod system was used to prove the bistable characteristic of the configuration; meanwhile, the geometric parameter analysis was used to analyze the bistable characteristic under different geometry parameters, including external border, initial angle, and displacement, respectively. An experimental test and finite element simulation for morphological changes and force–displacement curve characteristics were investigated during the forming and recovery process. The results show that the designed configuration has a bistable characteristic: it can be formed and recovered actively, and the finite element simulation and experimental results are consistent.