Prototypes Made From Legos (Page 3 of 3)

Posted on January 2, 2018January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

PROTOTYPES MADE FROM LEGOS (Page 3 of 3)

These photos show prototype modules connected in triangular and rectangular loop patterns.

Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully retracted.
Figure 50. View 1
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully retracted.
Figure 51. View 2
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully retracted.
Figure 52. View 3
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully retracted.
Figure 53. View 4
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully extended.
Figure 54. View 1
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully extended.
Figure 55. View 2
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with all legs fully extended.
Figure 56. View 3
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully extended.
Figure 57. View 1
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully extended.
Figure 58. View 2
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully extended.
Figure 59. View 3
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully extended.
Figure 60. View 4
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully retracted.
Figure 61. View 1
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully retracted.
Figure 62. View 2
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully retracted.
Figure 63. View 3
Set of six modules connected in a triangular loop pattern, with only one pair of legs fully retracted.
Figure 64. View 4
Set of eight modules connected in a rectangular loop pattern, with all legs fully retracted.
Figure 65. View 1
Set of eight modules connected in a rectangular loop pattern, with all legs fully retracted.
Figure 66. View 2
Set of eight modules connected in a rectangular loop pattern, with all legs fully extended.
Figure 67. View 1
Set of eight modules connected in a rectangular loop pattern, with all legs fully extended.
Figure 68. View 2
Set of eight modules connected in a rectangular loop pattern, with all legs fully extended.
Figure 69. View 3
Set of eight modules connected in a stretched loop pattern.
Figure 70. View 1
Set of eight modules connected in a stretched loop pattern.
Figure 71. View 2
Set of eight modules connected in a stretched loop pattern.
Figure 72. View 3
Set of eight modules connected in a stretched loop pattern.
Figure 73. View 4
Set of eight modules connected in complex loop patterns.
Figure 74. Curved pattern
Set of eight modules connected in complex loop patterns.
Figure 75. Twisted pattern

Prototypes Made From Legos (Page 2 of 3)

Posted on January 2, 2018January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

PROTOTYPES MADE FROM LEGOS (Page 2 of 3)

These photos show prototype modules connected to form partial or complete cells, and cell interconnections.

Three modules connected to each other, with clockwise common corner.
Figure 29. View 1
Three modules connected to each other, with clockwise common corner.
Figure 30. View 2
Three modules connected to each other, with clockwise common corner.
Figure 31. View 3
Three modules connected to each other, with clockwise common corner.
Figure 32. View 4
Three modules connected to each other, with counter-clockwise common corner.
Figure 33. View 1
Three modules connected to each other, with counter-clockwise common corner.
Figure 34. View 2
Three modules connected to each other, with counter-clockwise common corner.
Figure 35. View 3
Three modules connected to each other, with counter-clockwise common corner.
Figure 36. View 4
Set of four modules connected in a loop with telescoping legs fully retracted.
Figure 37. View 1
Set of four modules connected in a loop with telescoping legs fully retracted.
Figure 38. View 2
Set of four modules connected in a loop with telescoping legs fully retracted.
Figure 39. View 3
Set of four modules connected in a loop with telescoping legs fully extended.
Figure 40. View 1
Set of four modules connected in a loop with telescoping legs fully extended.
Figure 41. View 2
Set of four modules connected in a loop with telescoping legs fully extended.
Figure 42. View 3
Set of six modules connected as 2 sets of 3 modules connected to each other and as 3 parallel pairs of connected telescoping legs.
Figure 43. Retracted legs, side view
Set of six modules connected as 2 sets of 3 modules connected to each other and as 3 parallel pairs of connected telescoping legs.
Figure 44. Retracted legs, top view
Set of six modules connected as 2 sets of 3 modules connected to each other and as 3 parallel pairs of connected telescoping legs.
Figure 45. Extended legs, side view
Set of six modules connected as 2 sets of 3 modules connected to each other and as 3 parallel pairs of connected telescoping legs.
Figure 46. Extended legs, top view
Set of six modules connected as a single full cell
Figure 47. View 1
Set of six modules connected as a single full cell
Figure 48. View 2
Set of six modules connected as a single full cell
Figure 49. View 3

Prototypes Made From Legos (Page 1 of 3)

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

PROTOTYPES MADE FROM LEGOS (Page 1 of 3)

These photos show a prototype module, basic articulation capabilities, and connections between two modules.

Supply of 6 modules
Figure 1. Side view
Supply of 6 modules
Figure 2. Top view
Module prototype with inverted Lego turntable
Figure 3. View 1
Module prototype with inverted Lego turntable
Figure 4. View 2
Module prototype with inverted Lego turntable
Figure 5. View 3
Module prototype with inverted Lego turntable
Figure 6. View 4
Module prototype with inverted Lego turntable
Figure 7. View 5
Module prototype with right-side-up Lego turntable
Figure 8. View 1
Module prototype with right-side-up Lego turntable
Figure 9. View 2
Module prototype with right-side-up Lego turntable
Figure 10. View 3
Module prototype with right-side-up Lego turntable
Figure 11. View 4
X-axis pivot
Figure 12. View 1
X-axis pivot
Figure 13. View 2
Y-axis pivot
Figure 14. View 1
Y-axis pivot
Figure 15. View 2
Y-axis pivot
Figure 16. View 3
Y-axis pivot
Figure 17. View 4
Telescoping
Figure 18. Leg extended
Telescoping
Figure 19. Leg retracted
Two modules connected by telescoping shaft (connecting plates on legs)
Figure 20. View 1
Two modules connected by telescoping shaft (connecting plates on legs)
Figure 21. View 2
Two modules connected by telescoping shaft (connecting plates on legs)
Figure 22. View 3
Two modules connected by telescoping shaft (connecting plates on legs)
Figure 23. View 4
Two modules connected by telescoping shaft (connecting plates on legs)
Figure 24. View 5
Two modules connected for partial cube faces
Figure 25. Side view
Two modules connected for partial cube faces
Figure 26. Top view 1
Two modules connected for partial cube faces
Figure 27. Top view 2
Two modules connected for partial cube faces
Figure 28. Link close-up

Video Clips of Reconfigurable Module Prototypes Made From Legos

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

VIDEO CLIPS OF RECONFIGURABLE MODULE PROTOTYPES MADE FROM LEGOS


[EMBED VIDEO HERE] A Single Module		This video shows a Lego mock-up of a single module’s motion and movement capabilities: horizontal and vertical leg pivoting leg telescoping extending and retracting connecting plate rotation
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Two Module		This video of two Lego mock-ups of a module shows how they can be connected together: connecting plate to connecting plate module 1 connected width-wise to module 2
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Three Module		This video has three Lego mock-ups of a module. Two of them are initially connected along their sides to each other. The video will show the third one being connected to each of the two that are connected together in such a way that they all share a common cube corner.
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Mesh Connections		This video consists of an example of a mesh of Lego mock-up modules. It shows how any module in the mesh can be disconnected at one point and reconnected at a different point that is available and within range.
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Triple Parallel Mesh		In this video, a mesh of Lego mock-up modules are connected together. They are connected in such a way that there are two sets of three modules that are connected together to share a common cube corner and the legs from each set connect the two sets together. It shows the motion and shaping capabilities of such a structure.
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Genderless Connecting		This video shows a new improved version of Lego mock-up modules. The connecting plates are now gender-independent, meaning any two modules can connect together via their connecting plates. This is illustrated in this video by showing 3 modules all able to connect to each other via their connecting plates.
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Part 1 of 2		Self-Reconfiguring Technology: Universal Module-Cell Utility System – “a concept” Part 1 of 2: Modules and Cells Section 1: Module Assembly Components Section 2: Basic Mock-up of a Module with Motion and Connecting Features Section 3: A Supply of 18 Modules Used to Make 3 Cells Section 4: Connecting Cells Together Section 5: Mesh of Cells Connected Together Undergoing Structural Reconfiguration
[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Part 2 of 2		Self-Reconfiguring Technology: Universal Module-Cell Utility System – “a concept” Part 2 of 2: Connecting and Disconnecting Section 6: Reconfiguring 3 “3-Dimensional” Cells into 4 “2-Dimensional” Cells Section 7: Connecting the “2-Dimensional” Cells Together to Structure into a Lattice Matrix Pattern Section 8: Orbiting a “2-Dimensional” Cell from the Lattice Matrix Around the Rest of the Structure

Video Clip of Inductance Transducers

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

VIDEO CLIP OF INDUCTANCE TRANSDUCERS


[EMBED VIDEO HERE] Exploring Inductors		In this video, inductance for transducer-to-transducer applications and the benefits to self-reconfigurable technology will be examined. electromagnets – for instant bonding between modules isolators (1:1 transformers) – for power transmission transmission of data – as signal transducers sensors to detect each other – to triangulate relative module positions

[EMBED VIDEO HERE]

Exploring Inductors

In this video, inductance for transducer-to-transducer applications and the benefits to self-reconfigurable technology will be examined.

electromagnets – for instant bonding between modules
isolators (1:1 transformers) – for power transmission
transmission of data – as signal transducers
sensors to detect each other – to triangulate relative module positions

Terminology

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

TERMINOLOGY

This terminology does not necessarily adhere to strict technical formality. It is only meant to serve as a reference guide for standardization of their use in the articles. Some of the older versions of articles do not yet comply with this standardization.

TERM	WORKING DEFINITION OR EXPLANATION
cell	a collection of between two to six modules connected to each other via their rectangular bases a matrix element made up of at least three modules that are connected together in such a way as to share a common corner of a partial cube
full cell	a matrix element that consists of six modules and does not necessarily include a power cell; a cell that is not full consists of between 2 and 5 modules
complete cell	a matrix element made up of six modules (a full cell) and a power cell
pseudo-cell	a cell consisting of 2 modules
inverse cell	two modules connected to each other via their connecting plates
matrix	a group of modules or cells joined together primarily in a pattern
mesh	a cell matrix made up of a random arrangement of connections and positions
module	one of two fundamental elements that is a component in a matrix cell; an assembly of fabricated components; six modules make a full cell; this assembly consists of two ends connected together by a telescoping shaft, and contains moving parts, actuators, and electronics; one end is a connecting plate that can rotate about the axis of the telescoping shaft and can connect to the connecting plate of another module; the other (cell core fragment) end can connect directly to up to four other modules and a powercell (these four modules form a ring with the powercell in the center), to form the core of a cell, and a sixth module can connect to this core (on the “opposite side”) to form a full cell
powercell	one of two fundamental elements that is a component in a matrix cell; a cube-shaped housing for an electrical battery; the position of the conductors on the face of the cubes are arranged in a symmetric pattern that prevents reverse polarity from being possible
module component	one of the basic module assembly elements: the rectangular base, universal joint, telescoping shaft (leg), or connecting plate
module assembly	a single module, made up of the module components

Benefits and Advantages

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES

Each cell in a mesh is capable of producing both translational and rotational motion. In each module there are three degrees of rotational freedom: rotation about the axis of the telescoping shaft, and pivoting the telescoping shaft in both (x & y axes) dimensions with a universal joint-like hinge system in the cell core fragment end of the module.
Any two cells, or modules, (they can either be part of the same mesh or in different meshes) that are within connecting distance from each other and have available connecting ends are capable of engaging each other in any positional and rotational orientations with respect to each other to connect together. This capability or feature can be a solution that would solve the problems of failed attempts for cells to interconnect correctly, or inability to connect because of alignment (design) limitations.
A mesh made up of these modules has the ability to independently replace the local power cells in a cell (i.e., without the need for any human intervention).
A mesh made up of these modules is capable of independently separating each module from a cell and assembling a cell from a supply of individual modules (i.e., without the need for any human intervention).
The connecting plate surface has electromagnets for short-term and quick connect and disconnect connections.
The connecting plate surface consists of a uniform pattern of hook and plunger mechanisms arranged close to the perimeter of the connecting plate surface for long-term unpowered connections.
Any connecting plate can connect to or couple with any other connecting plate from another module (e.g., like train couplers); the “male-female” pattern resides within the design of the hook-plunger mechanism rather than in the cells’ connector-to-connector system; this feature eliminates the constraint that limits or restricts cells’ abilities to have interconnections between any two cells when and where necessary.
The connecting plates have a relatively large diameter for providing static strength against gravity for a relatively larger series of approximately horizontal cells chained together which are mounted to a ground object (e.g., a cantilever system), such as a vertical wall, at one end; without this feature the connecting ends would bend or break off for some of the interconnections closest to the ground object, as a result of excessive stress due to large moment forces, with a relatively smaller series of approximately horizontal cells.

Cube Face Numbering Convention

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

CUBE FACE NUMBERING CONVENTION

A number pattern convention can be used to identify modules when they are brought together to form a cell. In the Image below, Figure A shows a 3-dimensional cube with the faces that are showing numbered 1, 2, and 3 in a counter-clockwise direction about their common corner. Figure B shows the cube unfolded to indicate how all the faces of the cube are numbered in relation to each other. The numbering convention for determining which faces have values 4, 5, and 6 is to arrange them so that the sum of the values from each pair of opposite faces is equal to 7.

Components, Moving Parts, and Connectors of a Cell Module

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

COMPONENTS, MOVING PARTS, AND CONNECTORS OF A CELL MODULE

A cell module consists of several moving parts. There are 4 basic assemblies that make up a cell module, and each assembly consists of several components. The following is a list of the assemblies and the mechanical components of each assembly involved in the interaction between assemblies and modules (all assemblies consists of internal mechanical components that are not included here):

connecting plate
1. connecting plate hub: mounted on a segment of the telescoping shaft and can rotate about its axis
2. connecting plate ring: consists of at least 3 hooks; mounted on the connecting plate hub, can independently rotate about the axis of the segment of the telescoping leg that is attached to the connecting plate hub, and can also translate along the axis of the leg upon the connecting plate hub
3. at least 3 plungers, to pair up with the hooks on the connecting plate ring
telescoping shaft (leg)
1. segment with larger perimeter about axis at an extreme of a series of segments that connects to the intermediate joint and can pivot about one axis that it provides
2. segment with smaller perimeter about axis at an extreme of a series of segments that connects to the connecting plate and allows it to rotate about the leg’s axis
3. zero or more telescoping segments between the segments at the extremes
intermediate joint (single component) assembly between leg and core base (acts as a universal joint)
core base assembly
1. core base assembly frame; has the basic appearance of a truncated pyramid mounted on top of a stack of rectangular slabs; consists of at least four holes to receive at least four pins, described below, along the perimeter surface of the bottom rectangular slab facing upwards (of the “basic appearance”)
2. at least four pins that extend from the lengthwise sides of the core base frame
3. 2 clamping teeth for gripping a power cell

The following list describes all of the types of assembly movements:

Leg pivoting: The leg can pivot about 2 axes within a range of at least 90° for each axis (±45° in any direction from axis perpendicular to the face of the cube-shaped nucleus formed by the 6 core base assembly frames when joined together).
Leg extending: The leg can both retract and extend to a length that more than doubles the (fully retracted) distance between the connecting plate surface and center of a six-module cell.
Connecting plate surface rotation: The connecting plate surface can rotate in both directions about the axis of the leg.

The following list describes all of the types of inter-modular connections:

Connecting plate surface interlocking system: The connecting plate surfaces of two different cell modules can engage and attach to to form a rigid bond or release from each other.
Core base assembly interlocking system: The core base assemblies can engage together to form a rigid core base structure or release from it.
Power cell grip: The power cell connecting surface on the core base assembly can grip and release power cells.

Types of Connections Between Elements

Posted on December 29, 2017January 2, 2018 by HTDNET Support Services

TYPES OF CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ELEMENTS

When two modules connect to, or just come in contact with, each other with the connecting plate surfaces, there are 3 ways this can happen. One way this can happen is if the surfaces only touch each other, but there is no interlocking bond; only pressure or stability are involved, and only pushing but not pulling can take place between the two modules. Another way this can happen is if there is a mechanical interlocking bond; this would be the prefereable means for long term or unpowered bonds. The last is if there is a powered electrical bond; if energy is removed, then the bond is broken; this would be the preferable means of bonding two modules in situations where connections have a very short duration and there is frequent connecting and disconnecting activity. A bond involving both mechanical and powered electrical means is possible and could be considered a fourth way, but in practice this would be extraneous or unnecessary (unless the interlocking mechanism is designed to be breakable by excessive tension and the powered electrical bond is necessary for providing more strengh).

There are 4 types of schematic symbols for depicting 2 modules in contact with each other. In the image below, Figure 2a shows 2 modules A and B connected to each other without reference to the type of bond; Figure 2b shows 2 modules A and B connected without either type of bond; Figure 2c shows 2 modules A and B connected with only a powered electrical bond; finally, Figure 2d shows 2 modules A and B connected with at least a mechanical bond (it either may or may not have a powered electrical bond).