Deployable Structures

Developed at the Chair of Structural Design of the Technische Universität München, the presented invention uncloses a wide range of possibilities in the field of deployable structures. Building construction, machine engineering and the exhibition industry will demand a higher degree of convertibility of future movable structures. Therefore, this project‘s ambition is the design and development of a movable or adaptive structure, which responds both in a flexible and intelligent manner to its surroundings. Deployable structures are playing a decisive role among common moveable structures. Due to their superior foldability they can be transported easily and are applicable to a variety of purposes. The presented deployable structure combines different known systems in an progressive manner. The system is based on a spatial scissor truss. Its members can be altered by telescopic pipes. Spherical joints are used for the connection of structural elements. Furthermore cables are stabilizing the structure. The structures integrated telescopic members open up the full range of three-dimensional motion. Even S-shaped action is feasible. The combination of scissor mechanisms and telescope elements enables pack factors as low as 1 to 10. The mechanism is infinitely variable and lockable at any time, providing a high-capacity structural system in every possible position.

Doctoral Thesis
Chair of Structural Design
by Zoran Novacki
abgeschlossen 10/2014

deflexible systems

As a result of the research at the Chair of Structural Design in the field of deployable structures a company has recently been founded. This startup named "deflexible systems" has been financially supported from May 2010 until April 2011 by the EXIST- program of the EU and the Bundeswirtschaftsministerium. Since July 2011 it is provided with funds through the FLÜGGE-program of the Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst.