Miura map fold
Encyclopedia
The is a rigid fold that has been used to simulate large solar panel arrays for space satellites in the Japanese 1995 Space Flight Unit. It was invented by Japan
ese astrophysicist
Koryo Miura. It is an example of the practical importance of rigid origami
, or treating hinges and rigid surfaces like the paper and creases in paper folding
problems.
A folded Miura fold can be packed into an area no larger than the size of one of the segments that make up the overall shape, its thickness
restricted only by the thickness of the folded material.
The fold can also be unpacked in just one motion by pulling on opposite ends of the folded material, and likewise folded again by pushing the two ends back together. This was beneficial to the aforementioned solar array as it reduced the number of motor
s required to unfold it, reducing the overall weight and complexity of the mechanism.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese astrophysicist
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
Koryo Miura. It is an example of the practical importance of rigid origami
Rigid origami
Rigid origami is a branch of origami which is concerned with folding structures using flat rigid sheets joined by hinges. It is a part of the study of the mathematics of paper folding, it can be considered as a type of mechanical linkage, and has great practical utility. For instance it was used in...
, or treating hinges and rigid surfaces like the paper and creases in paper folding
Paper folding
Paper craft is the collection of art forms employing paper or card as the primary artistic medium for the creation of three-dimensional objects. It is the most widely used material in arts and crafts. It lends itself to a wide range of techniques, it can for instance be folded, cut, glued,...
problems.
A folded Miura fold can be packed into an area no larger than the size of one of the segments that make up the overall shape, its thickness
Thickness
Thickness may refer to:Thickness may refer to:* Thickness in graph theory* Thickness of layers in Geology* Thickness The difference in height between two atmospheric pressure levels* Thickness planer a woodworking machine...
restricted only by the thickness of the folded material.
The fold can also be unpacked in just one motion by pulling on opposite ends of the folded material, and likewise folded again by pushing the two ends back together. This was beneficial to the aforementioned solar array as it reduced the number of motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
s required to unfold it, reducing the overall weight and complexity of the mechanism.
External links
- Miura Map Fold (PDF)
- Miura-ori corporate site
- Peter Forbes, The Gecko's Foot: How Scientists are Taking a Leaf from Nature's Book, Harper Perennial, 2006, pp. 181-195.