Lagrangian approach to origami vertex analysis: Multistability

Abstract

Studying the multistability of origami structures presents challenges due to the nonlinearity of their kinematics and the high-dimensional configuration spaces that are difficult to visualize and explore exhaustively. To address this, we utilize the Lagrangian framework for origami to exploit symmetries and obtain reduced-dimensional slices of the configuration space. Our analysis of degree-6 vertices with reflection symmetry reveals topological transitions in their kinematic space as sector angles are varied, with implications for the number of symmetry-constrained minima and the emergence of metastable regions. These lower-dimensional slices are amenable to exhaustive search and visualization. A subsequent full-space stability analysis shows that 18 of 41 degree-6 and 14 of 45 degree-8 symmetry-constrained minima remain minima when all locally compatible perturbations, including those that break symmetry, are admitted. The metastable regions, which would likely be overlooked by numerical optimization alone, are influenced by the interplay between the boundaries of admissible kinematic space and crease mechanical properties. We extend our analysis to cone-like vertices with higher symmetry and one-degree-of-freedom kinematics, exploring symmetry-breaking phenomena, combinatorial structure, and their consequences for branchwise stability. The stability landscapes uncovered have potential applications in mechanical metamaterials, mechanical computing, origami-based robotics, and structures designed to self-deploy and retain their shape.