A reciprocal-folding reconfigurable mechanism for multi-scale transformable structure

A reciprocal-folding reconfigurable mechanism for multi-scale transformable structure | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Physical Sciences - Article A reciprocal-folding reconfigurable mechanism for multi-scale transformable structure Jianbin Du, Peiqi Xu, Pengyang Zhao, Bo Xia, Hongyuan Ren, Shuang Hu, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9506603/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Transformable structures are attracting increasing interest due to their rapid deployability across diverse scenarios. However, their engineering applications remain constrained by the limited structural reliability in reconfiguration mechanisms. In most existing systems, load transfer is confined to discrete hinge joints, resulting in insufficient structural redundancy, limited load-bearing capacity, and vulnerable to local failure. Here, we introduce a reciprocal–folding reconfigurable mechanism that couples reciprocal support with scissor-hinge kinematics. It establishes multi-path load transfer and structural redundancy, maintaining force transmission and structural continuity even with up to 45% component loss, while retaining 48% load-bearing capacity. To mitigate the mass increase and configurational complexity introduced by redundancy, we develop a bio-inspired, material-level lightweight strategy via microstructural topology optimization. Compared with a solid rod, the optimized component achieves 70% mass reduction and 69.9% higher energy absorption, indicating enhanced mechanical stability and efficiency. In parallel, an AI-driven autonomous construction framework facilitates the realization of complex reconfigurable assemblies. Together, these results show that reconfigurability, reliability and lightweight performance can be achieved within a unified design framework. The proposed mechanism thus defines a scalable structural paradigm for transformable systems, with applications ranging from space structures and deployable architecture to morphing UAVs, robotics and metamaterials. Physical sciences/Engineering/Mechanical engineering Physical sciences/Materials science/Structural materials/Mechanical properties Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files 260422supplementaryfile.docx supplementary information file supvideo.1reconfigurationdemonstration.mov.mov supplementary video.1 supvideo.2structureexperiment.mov.mov supplementary video.2 supvideo.3componentexperiment.mov.mov supplementary video.3 supvideo.4autonomousconstruction.mov.mov supplementary video.4 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9506603","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Physical Sciences - Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":639145022,"identity":"64aadda4-62f4-4411-aec2-70779cc34764","order_by":0,"name":"Jianbin 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However, their engineering applications remain constrained by the limited structural reliability in reconfiguration mechanisms. In most existing systems, load transfer is confined to discrete hinge joints, resulting in insufficient structural redundancy, limited load-bearing capacity, and vulnerable to local failure. Here, we introduce a reciprocal–folding reconfigurable mechanism that couples reciprocal support with scissor-hinge kinematics. It establishes multi-path load transfer and structural redundancy, maintaining force transmission and structural continuity even with up to 45% component loss, while retaining 48% load-bearing capacity. To mitigate the mass increase and configurational complexity introduced by redundancy, we develop a bio-inspired, material-level lightweight strategy via microstructural topology optimization. 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