Infinitely refinable generalization of quad-mesh rigid origami: from linear and equimodular couplings

Abstract

A quad-mesh rigid origami is a continuously deformable panel-hinge structure where planar, rigid, zero-thickness quadrilateral panels are connected by rotational hinges in the combinatorics of a grid. This article provides a comprehensive exposition of two new families of infinitely refinable quad-mesh rigid origami, generated from linear and equimodular couplings. These constructions expand the current landscape beyond well-known variations such as the Miura-ori, V-hedron (discrete Voss surface or eggbox pattern), anti-V-hedron (flat-foldable pattern), and T-hedron (trapezoidal pattern). We conjecture that as the mesh is refined to infinity, these quad-mesh rigid origami converges to special ruled surfaces in the limit, supported by multiple lines of evidence.

main text 21 pages (including references), supplementary material 74 pages, 20 figures, submitted manuscript