Dust-Tolerant Robotic Interface With Sealed Latching and Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic interfaces in dusty environments, such as the lunar surface, face interference from environmental dust, which contaminates mechanical components and blocks electrical power and data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A dust-tolerant robotic interface system featuring an active side with a latching system and a passive side with a complementary latching feature, both sealed to prevent dust ingress, allowing for structural latching and electrical connection while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical components are physically mated in dusty environments, then mechanical coupling is achieved, but dust contamination interferes with the interface
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is divided into separate active and passive sides that can be mated without direct exposure of internal components to dust. The segmentation allows the interface to be assembled in a dust-free manner while operating in dusty environments.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment features (alignment cup and alignment cone) act as intermediaries that guide the mating process, ensuring proper alignment before final coupling. This intermediary mechanism prevents dust from interfering with the critical coupling surfaces.
2Reliability
If electrical contacts are exposed for power and data transmission, then electrical connection is achieved, but conductive dust blocks or interferes with transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical alignment and structural latching are achieved before electrical contacts are engaged. This preliminary mechanical coupling ensures that electrical contacts are brought into alignment in a controlled manner, reducing exposure to dust during the critical connection phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment cup and alignment cone serve as intermediaries that guide electrical contacts into proper alignment before final engagement, preventing dust from blocking the electrical transmission paths during the mating process.
3Reliability
If sealing mechanisms are added to prevent dust ingress, then dust tolerance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct functional regions (alignment features, latching mechanisms, electrical contacts) that can be independently designed and sealed. This segmentation allows targeted sealing approaches rather than requiring complete sealing of the entire interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features and latching mechanisms are designed to self-align and self-seal during the mating process, reducing the need for additional active sealing components. The mechanical coupling itself creates the seal against dust ingress.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a dust tolerant robotic interface is provided herein. The system includes: an active side comprising an active side connector body and a passive side comprising a passive side connector body, wherein the active side connector body comprises an active latching feature, wherein the passive side connector body is configured to couple to the active side connector body, the passive side connector body comprising a passive latching feature configured to couple to the active latching feature; and a latching system coupled to the active side connector body, the latching system having a latched and unlatched configuration, the latching system configured to lock the active latching feature to the passive latching feature when the active side and passive side of the system are structurally latched, and the latching system is in the latched configuration.