Heavy-duty connectors for self-reconfiguring robots

Abstract

Connectors for self-reconfiguring robots need to fulfill a wide range of requirements. We discuss these properties, with emphasis on geometrical shape and latching. We describe the DRAGON modular connector, whose most distinctive features are its ability to self-align and its strength. It weighs 170 g, but holds over 70 kg load. It is able to self-align /spl plusmn/15 mm (O/5) lateral offsets, and /spl plusmn/45/spl deg/ directional and rotational offsets.