VSS - Vibration sampling system

NASA Lunar Sampling System Design Challenge VSS- Vibration sampling system This system is designed to handle sample collection both from the surface and under the surface. System contains a minimum number of moving parts for a minimum failure rate. In the case of vibration there is a minimum chance of stone jammed. The main element is the vibrating unit and the grooved feeder, which require installation on: - One Z-axis in the case of a lunar vehicle where the unit goes forward and picks up the material. System can by lifted up and container directly placed to the return module. - On a robotic arm in the case of a stationary landing module. The vibration unit generates a linear feed movement using highly deflection composite springs. This moves the samples up the path. The vibration unit can drive a simple controller or microprocessor. The power of the control unit will not exceed 20W, and weight of the sampler are 501,9 grams. By changing the frequency and aptitude, we can control which samples will go after the feeder. - High frequencies and small amplitude will result in larger stones and at lower frequencies and higher amplitude there will be a better little material. For throwing too large stones, or with a full container, the servo-positioner arm is activated. He discards all large samples from the track and the container begins to fill with small material. The percentage of vibration is also transferred to the container in which the samples are stored better and the maximum volume of the container is used.The teeth on the linear feeder, and the grooves on them, can be used as sieves, or even by agitate the surface. The entire system supervises a 3D camera that measures the surroundings and samples before going to the container. The camera can work as a real-time transmission to the operator on the Earth or as a fully autonomous system where the camera together with the control unit will evaluate the frequency, amplitude, or servo positioner control to accurat