Receiver ball lock

grabcad

The locking mechanism employs a Ti6Al4V alloy to withstand extreme temperatures in space, ranging from -60°C to 100°C. When the plates come together, the positioning system descends along the conical surface of the receiver, compressing a spring. This exerts forcé on a central ball, which in turn pushes three smaller balls outward, securely and precisely locking the plates in place. One potential optimization would be to add a contact sensor that detects plate closure and sends a signal to a servo motor, which rotates to tighten the screw, providing additional force if needed. This design ensures the integrity and reliability of connections in space.