Deployable textile structures with multiple-stable-state characteristics
Presented are deployable structures having multi-stable-state characteristics using skeletal architectures mounted onto textile backings, methods for making/using such structures, and vehicle components having bistable characteristics provided by polymeric exoskeletons printed onto textile substrates. A multi-stable-state deployable structure includes an elastic substrate fabricated from a (knitted) textile sheet, and an articulating (polymeric) framework mounted on the knitted textile sheet. The articulating framework and textile sheet structurally cooperate to transition from a first stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a substantially planar shape, to a second stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a first multidimensional topography, and from the second state to a third stable state, in which the deployable structure maintains a second multidimensional topography distinct from the first multidimensional topography. The articulating framework may include an elongated spine sandwiched between first and second sets of ribs, and a frame circumscribing the spine and ribs.
1. A deployable structure with multiple stable states, the deployable structure comprising:
an elastic substrate including a textile sheet; and
an articulating framework mounted on the textile sheet,
wherein the articulating framework and the textile sheet are cooperatively configured to transition between: a first stable state in which the deployable structure maintains a substantially planar shape; a second stable state in which the deployable structure maintains a first multidimensional topography; and a third stable state in which the deployable structure maintains a second multidimensional topography distinct from the first multidimensional topography.
2. The deployable structure of claim 1 , wherein the articulating framework includes an elongated spine sandwiched between first and second ribs.
3. The deployable structure of claim 2 , wherein the first rib projects from a first lateral side of the elongated spine at a first oblique angle, and the second rib projects from a second lateral side of the elongated spine at a second oblique angle.
4. The deployable structure of claim 3 , wherein the first oblique angle is approximately equal to the second oblique angle.
5. The deployable structure of claim 2 , wherein the first rib includes a first plurality of ribs disposed on a first lateral side of the elongated spine, and the second rib includes a second plurality of ribs disposed on a second lateral side of the elongated spine.
6. The deployable structure of claim 5 , wherein the first plurality of ribs is attached to the elongated spine by a first set of living hinges, and the second plurality of ribs is attached to the elongated spine by a second set of living hinges.
7. The deployable structure of claim 5 , wherein the first and second pluralities of ribs are spaced from the elongated spine when the deployable structure is in the first stable state, and abut the elongated spine when the deployable structure is in the third stable state.
8. The deployable structure of claim 7 , wherein the spine includes first and second sets of grooves configured to receive therein rib ends of the first and second pluralities of ribs, respectively, when the deployable structure is in the third stable state.
9. The deployable structure of claim 5 , wherein the articulating framework further includes a frame at least partially surrounding the elongated spine and the first and second ribs.
10. The deployable structure of claim 9 , wherein the textile sheet includes an outer perimeter, and wherein the frame extends continuously along the outer perimeter of the textile sheet and circumscribes the elongated spine and the first and second ribs.
11. The deployable structure of claim 9 , wherein the first and second pluralities of ribs are spaced from the frame when the deployable structure is in the first stable state, and abut the frame when the deployable structure is in the third stable state.
12. The deployable structure of claim 11 , wherein the frame includes first and second sets of notches configured to receive therein rib ends of the first and second pluralities of ribs, respectively, when the deployable structure is in the third stable state.
13. The deployable structure of claim 9 , wherein the textile sheet is retained in a pretensioned state via the frame of the articulating framework when the deployable structure is in the first stable state.
14. The deployable structure of claim 1 , wherein the first multidimensional topography has a first transverse cross-sectional geometry, and the second multidimensional topography has a second transverse cross-sectional geometry distinct from the first transverse cross-sectional geometry.
15. The deployable structure of claim 1 , wherein first and second segments of the elastic substrate are folded over onto each other when the deployable structure is in the first stable state, and wherein the first and second segments of the elastic substrate are configured to unfold when the deployable structure transitions to the third stable state.
16. A method of assembling a deployable structure with multiple stable states, the method comprising:
receiving an elastic substrate including a textile sheet; and
mounting an articulating framework onto the textile sheet,
wherein the articulating framework and the textile sheet are cooperatively configured to transition between: a first stable state in which the deployable structure maintains a substantially planar shape; a second stable state in which the deployable structure maintains a first multidimensional topography; and a third stable state in which the deployable structure maintains a second multidimensional topography distinct from the first multidimensional topography.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the articulating framework includes an elongated spine, a first plurality of ribs disposed on a first lateral side of the elongated spine, and a second plurality of ribs disposed on a second lateral side of the elongated spine.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first plurality of ribs projects from the first lateral side of the elongated spine at a first oblique angle, and the second plurality of ribs projects from a second lateral side of the elongated spine at a second oblique angle.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first and second pluralities of ribs are: spaced from the elongated spine when the deployable structure is in the first stable state; and abut the elongated spine when the deployable structure is in the third stable state.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein mounting the articulating framework onto the textile sheet includes printing, laminating, adhering, depositing, and/or curing.