Lunar_Kinetics

grabcad

Hello, please find below my submission, a proposal for a simple yet effective hinged door system that utilizes gravity and regolith load to facilitate loading and expelling. By channeling regolith towards the hinged door, it naturally opens under pressure and gravity when reaching its optimal rotational position. The same process is reversed during expelling, where the hinged door channels regolith to free it as the bucket reverses rotation. This design leverages both gravity and regolith mass for predictable actuation, minimizing the risk of sticking or jamming even with moving parts. A flexible high-temp silicon-like cast hinge door is proposed, allowing for smooth flexing as a live hinge. However, further testing is required to validate this solution. The current build is intentionally basic, utilizing molded carbon fibers and laser-cut titanium sheets to create a structure that effectively channels regolith. Specifications: Weight: approximately 5kg Capacity: approximately 32 liters