ELECTROADHESIVE HOLDING SYSTEM (EAHS), CONCEPT

This is an explanation for the concept of an Electroadhesive Holding System to be used in multiple gravity environments.
The system can include one or more actuation boxes with electroadhesives to be placed in different body zones in order to secure that body zone to metal surfaces; in this way one person can stand still while performing a task, or the actuation box can be placed in a boot/shoes, and by detecting the forces applied by a person, it activates and deactivates the electroadhesives, allowing a person to walk across the habitat. The system also includes a smartwatch which monitors the actuation boxes and it is possible to define the parameters of these (maximum forces, activation or deactivation threshold, battery status, etc). When performing task in specific places, those places can be equipped with wireless charging system in order to maintain an adequate battery state.

Actuation box contains:
• Battery;
• Wireless charging;
• Wireless communication;
• Electroadhesives;
• Force sensors;
• Accelerometers;
• Others.

Smartwatch contains (besides the normal “stuff”):
• Wireless connections to the actuation(s) box(es);
• It allows to activate/ deactivate actuation boxes;
• Status of the actuations boxes;
• Others.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main disadvantages are:
• Incorrect adhesion because of the way electroadhesives work;
• Possibly heavy system due to battery sizes;
• Requiring recharging and battery replacement after end-life-cycle;

The main advantages are:
• Electroadhesives work in conductive and non-conductive surfaces;
• Depending of the design, a more malleable actuator can be achieved in comparison to electromagnets system, for example;
• Possibility to control the locking force;
• Only unlock one box when the other is already lock;
• With added localization (not contemplated before) different scenarios can be defined;
• The force utilized to unlock the box actuator helps to physically exercise the muscles.

To increase battery capacity, all the boxes can be connected to a central battery through wires, although this would not be convenient.

(I know this not qualifies for the NASA challenge; nonetheless it may give some idea to other inventors :) )