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):

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. intermediate joint (single component) assembly between leg and core base (acts as a universal joint)
  4. 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.