Development of both-ends supported flexible auger and its dust-proofing system for a lunar earthworm-type excavation robot “LEAVO”’s curving excavation

Abstract

For lunar underground explorations, we have developed lunar earthworm-type excavation robot “LEAVO” and achieved vertical excavation with it. Then, we now wrestle about curving excavation to make the LEAVO be able to collect some samples in particular layer efficiently. To achieve the curving excavation, it is necessary for the LEAVO's excavation unit to excavate target diameter borehole certainly because the LEAVO become to be inoperable in the excessively large or small diameter borehole. To excavate target diameter borehole certainty, in this paper, we develop the “both-ends supported flexible auger” as the LEAVO's flexible excavation unit and carry out its characteristics test. Moreover, we confirm its usefulness in the axis runout check and excavation test.