Square Structural Joint with Robotic Assembly Tool

mechanical and fluid systems
Square Structural Joint with Robotic Assembly Tool (LAR-TOPS-316)
Square trusses replace round for enhanced strength and robotics compatibility
Overview
The square structural joint design enables robotic assembly and has been designed for high strength to weight, multifunctionality, and reduced manufacturing cost. They not only provide increased axial stiffness compared to round tubes of the same width, but torsional and bending strength is increased as well. Electrical conductivity and provisions for routing of wiring or tubing through the joints have been incorporated in the design as well, all enabling greater capability and a stronger structural design.

The Technology
The square form joint has several novel features to improve reliability, performance and robustness. Most simply, the square tubes are stronger than round for a specified maximum cross-section dimension. Structural benefits include nearly complete perimeter contact geometry for improved structural efficiency, improved cantilever beam response via linear bending response about y and z axis, and linear torsional response about x axis. Additionally, there is betterlinear axial response along x axis due to simple geometry and large contact surfaces, higher torsional/torque capability (about x axis), higher bending capability about all axes, higher axial capability, and is more cost effective to manufacture. It also offers a bonding strap and treated contact surfaces that provide electrical conductivity through the joint. Switching to square cross section joints provides packaging efficiency, along with numerous improvements for robotic assembly applications such as providing rotational registration, robotically compatible tool designs, both mechanical and visual indicators to verify locking operation, preload and capture spring forces with a unique stop plate in the drive train that can be designed to default to the assembled condition without a preload, yet spring back if forced toward unlocked. After assembly, preload can be adjusted for security. Designed for robust assembly, the robotic tools are built to actuate the joint.
Square Cross Section Erectable Joint. Image Credit: NASA
Benefits
  • Improves packaging efficiency
  • Improves structural efficiency in a constrained package
  • Rotational registration
  • High torsional/torque capability (about x axis)
  • High bending capability about all axes
  • High axial capability due to increased contact surface area
  • Cost effective manufacturing
  • Nearly complete perimeter contact geometry for improved structural efficiency
  • Improved cantilever beam response via linear torsional response about x-axis and linear bending response about y- and z-axis
  • Linear axial response along x-axis
  • Internal stop plate can be customized to make unlock stable or unstable
  • Low electrical resistance across locked joint
  • Integral electrical connectors and pathways
  • Robotically compatible tool drive
  • Mechanical and visual indicators to verify locking operation
  • Tunable preload and capture spring forces

Applications
  • Portable aerospace structures suitable for on orbit / in space assembly
  • Portable terrestrial structures, including clean rooms, field hospitals, decontamination rooms
Technology Details

mechanical and fluid systems
LAR-TOPS-316
LAR-18923-1
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