Rigidizing Latch Assembly

摘要

A rigidizing latch assembly, in embodiments, is a robotically compatible aerospace attachment mechanism may be used to rigidly attach units to a structure and typically comprises a male latch and a receptacle configured to cooperatively couple. The male latch typically comprises a male latch housing and a latch assembly movably disposed within the male latch housing; a driver operatively in communication with a latch support; a male latch core; a driver interface access port; and one or more extraction feet operatively in communication with the driver. The receptacle comprises a receptacle housing sized to receive a lower portion of the male latch housing; a positioning target adapted to provide a visual positioning targeting cue; and one or more latch interfaces dimensioned to releasably mate with a corresponding lead-in guide of the plurality of lead-in guides.

主权项

1. A rigidizing latch assembly, comprising:
a. a male latch, comprising:
i. a male latch housing, comprising:
1. an upper portion;2. a lower portion;3. a plurality of lead-in guides; and4. a grasp interface disposed proximate the upper portion;ii. a latch assembly movably disposed within the male latch housing, the latch comprising:
1. a latch support configured to move within the male latch housing, the latch support comprising a driver interface;2. a plurality of latches connected to the latch support, each latch comprising:
a. an angled lower portion; andb. a mating portion;3. a plurality of tensioners disposed intermediate the latch support and a corresponding latch of the plurality of latches;4. a driver operatively in communication with the latch support, the driver comprising:
a. a driver interface;b. a latch support engager adapted to movably engage with the driver interface; andc. an upper driver portion; and5. a male latch core, the male latch core comprising:
a. an inner annulus; andb. a plurality of latch receivers, each latch receiver comprising an angled face configured to complimentarily engage with an angled lower portion of a corresponding latch;6. an extraction foot operatively in communication with the driver; andiii. a driver interface access port configured to allow access to the driver interface from an exterior of the male latch housing; and b. a receptacle, comprising:
i. a receptacle housing sized to receive the lower portion of the male latch housing;ii. a positioning target adapted to provide a visual positioning targeting cue; andiii. a plurality of latch interfaces dimensioned to releasably mate with the plurality of lead-in guides, each latch interface comprising a mating surface configured to cooperatively and securely engage a mating portion of a corresponding latch.