Reuleaux Triangle NASA CHAMP v1.0 and v2.0 (latest)

Last crawled date: 1 year, 11 months ago

DESIGN DESCRIPTION

The Reuleaux Triangle NASA CHAMP is a design concept for the NASA Handrail Clamp Assembly Challenge.
After careful considerations and a feasibility study I am proposing the use of a curve of constant width as a Reuleaux Triangle interior shape to constrain the movement of the CHAMP while rotating around the handrail 90 degrees to final locked position. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuleaux_triangle)

VERSION 1.0:

Please refer to PDF file: NASA CHAMP DESCRIPTION V2.0

VERSION 2.0:

Please refer to PDF file: NASA CHAMP DESCRIPTION V2.0

The design concept is trying to solve the following three main considerations:
ONE
The CHAMP has to be a complementary device and an alternative to the existing Handrail Clamp Assembly (HCA):
The proposed RT NASA CHAMP has the following same attributes as the existing HCA:
One piece only.
One latch with locked and unlocked position.
The latching mechanism is placed opposite-to-opening and positioned at the side of the clamp.
The seat track interface is aligned centerline with the curved part of the handrail.
Do not need to detach stud fastener for handrail decoupling.
Comply with the standard commercial airlines track MS33601.
The bonus additional characteristics:
One handed installation and removal from the handrail. The Reuleaux Triangle interior shape creates a constrained movement that “holds” the CHAMP in place while it is been mounted/dismounted to/from the handrail. It will allow the astronaut to use one hand to connect/disconnect the CHAMP and the other hand to support themselves (applying a kick load) in a zero gravity environment.
The RT NASA CHAMP is a 2-inch length modular size. It can be mounted next to each other to provide a longer standard track interface with functional connection points.
The proposed design is using a similar to the HCA opposite-to-opening locking mechanism. The decision is made to better align the CHAMP geometry to the maximum compression loads from mechanical properties of the ABS material made by FDM. The latch will apply compression loads towards the opening to the flat segment of the handrail. The 90-degree final locked position will prevent the handrail to disengage or disconnect. While applying compression loads towards the opening, the closed latch will also apply compression loads towards the interior of the “C” shape (to the hinge). That will generate symmetric perpendicular loads (up and down) that will try to close the “C” shape and grab the handrail at the curved sides.
TWO
The CHAMP has to provide at least the same or a better user experience than the existing Handrail Clamp Assembly (HCA):
The user experience for the HCA clamp is simple and at least it should remain like that with the CHAMP. The RT NASA CHAMP has only to parts that will be printed at the same time. The two parts will be assembled only once to become a single element (equivalent to the existing HCA). The consideration is made to reduce Bio-Cost (http://www.dubberly.com/articles/bio-cost.html and https://vimeo.com/album/1654007) and the implications for astronauts while assembling the object for every use. If there is more than one part to the product, the risk of misplacing the parts will be doubled with any additional separate part/s.
The RT NASA CHAMP has a one-handed use characteristic: User manipulation without the need to remove the mounted object to connect or disconnect the clamp from the handrail.
THREE
The CHAMP has to comply with every regulation mentioned within the NASA Handrail Clamp Assembly Challenge board:

Please refer to PDF file: NASA CHAMP DESCRIPTION V2.0