Deploying dynamics experiment of tape-spring hinges for deployable mechanism

Flexible tape-spring hinges can be folded elastically and are able to self-deploy by releasing stored strain energy with fewer component parts and slight weights. Deploying dynamic experimental setup is designed and constructed to analyze the dynamic behaviors. A Phantom V12.1 high-speed camera was applied to record the deployment of the tape-spring hinge. Deployment dynamics behaviors of opposite-sense and equal-sense bending for single tape-spring (STS) hinge, single-layer tape-spring (SLTS) hinge, equal and non-equal thickness double-layer tape-spring (DLTS) hinge were investigated by experiments.