Abstract
This paper discusses the conceptual design of spherical joints in space structures. Known spherical joints were analyzed and six innovative shaping concepts identified. The analysis revealed general tendencies in the shaping of spherical joints over a period of more than 15 years. Also, a surprising “human innovation limit”, supposedly related to the limits of “human working memory”, was observed. A formal typology of spherical joints is proposed and discussed in the context of innovative design. Three different approaches are considered: traditional, trial-and-error, and application of a computer-oriented innovative design method called Stochastic Form Optimization, and utilization of learning expert system shells for conceptual design.
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