An　optimal　design　approach　is　developed　for　a　self-driven,　self-locking　tape-spring　under　a　pure　bending　load　in　deployable　space　structures.　A　novel　hinge　with　three　tape　springs　is　investigated　and　designed　via　an　optimization　process.　Firstly,　we　investigate　the　steady-state　moment　and　maximum　stress　of　the　hinge　during　deploying　and　folding　processes　using　physics-based　simulations.　Experimental　analyses　are　then　conducted　to　verify　the　physics-based　simulation　results.　Secondly,　a　parametric　analysis　is　carried　out　to　prove　that　both　the　tape　spring　thickness　and　subtended　angle　have　significant　effect　on　steady-state　moment.　A　Response　Surface　Methodology　(RSM)　is　employed　to　define　an　optimal　surrogate　model　aimed　at　maximizing　the　steady-state　moment,　subjected　to　allowable　stress.　Finally,　the　Large　Scale　Generalized　Reduced　Gradient　(LSGRG)　optimization　algorithm　is　used　to　solve　the　optimal　design　problem.　Optimization　results　show　that　steady-state　moment　is　increased　by　19.5%　while　satisfying　a　maximum　stress　constraint.　The　proposed　method　is　promising　for　designing　novel　deployable　structures　with　high　stability　and　reliability.