Negative pressure suction cup

Abstract

To provide a negative pressure suction pad which can stick, with negative pressure, on an object surface including surface shape including wavy wrinkles, like a slate roof material.SOLUTION: A negative pressure suction pad includes a negative pressure suction pad box, a negative pressure suction pad outer frame, and a film-like negative pressure suction pad seal. An inner edge part of the negative pressure suction pad seal includes cross-sectional shape including wavy wrinkles. An outer edge part of the negative pressure suction pad seal includes cross-sectional shape including wavy wrinkles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a negative pressure suction cup that utilizes negative pressure to adhere to the surface of an object, and that can also be negatively pressure adhered to the surface of an object that has a surface shape with corrugated pleats, such as slate roofing materials. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the configuration of a negative pressure suction cup that uses negative pressure to adhere to the surface of an object has been described. a three-dimensional suction cup box having an open surface facing the object surface; a suction cup seal attached to an inner suction cup frame defining the open face of the suction cup box, the suction cup seal having an inner edge portion attached to the inner suction cup frame, an outer edge portion extending outward from the inner edge portion, and an outer edge portion extending outward from the inner edge portion. Among conventional negative pressure suction cups, a known technology for negative pressure suction cups that can be negatively suctioned onto the surface of an object with a corrugated surface shape, such as slate roofing materials, is a negative pressure suction cup that uses rubber sponge as the material for the suction cup seal. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Negative pressure suction cups that use rubber sponge as the material for the suction cup seal have the disadvantages of being large in volume, having weak mechanical strength, and poor wear resistance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The means for achieving the above object will be described below. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes to use a film-like material as the material for the suction cup seal, rather than using rubber sponge, which has drawbacks such as being large in volume. If the suction cup seal is made of a film-like material, a polyurethane sheet with high abrasion resistance or a woven fabric made of high-strength fibers such as aramid fiber can be used as the suction cup seal material instead of rubber sponge, making it possible to achieve the above-mentioned problems associated with rubber sponge. On the other hand, when the surface of an object has a corrugated surface shape, such as a slate roofing material, it is important that the suction cup seal has the ability to deform to conform to the shape of the slate roofing material. Note that rubber sponge has the ability to deform to conform to the shape of the slate roofing material. When the suction cup seal is made of a film-like material, there is a problem with the ability to deform to follow the shape of the surface of an object. For example, if the hardness of the polyurethane sheet is reduced to, say, 30 degrees, the flexibility increases, and therefore the sheet is able to deform to follow the shape of the slate roofing material. However, the increased flexibility weakens the mechanical strength. Therefore, when the material of the suction cup seal is, for example, a polyurethane sheet, in order to increase the mechanical strength, it is necessary to give up on reducing the hardness of the polyurethane sheet, i.e., to sacrifice elasticity. Furthermore, if the material of the suction cup seal is a woven fabric made of aramid fiber, it has no elasticity and therefore does not have the ability to deform to fit the shape of the slate roofing material. Therefore, in order to provide a suction cup seal made of a membrane-like material with the ability to deform to conform to the shape of the slate roofing material, i.e., as a means for achieving the object of the present invention, the present invention provides, for example, the following negative pressure suction cup. That is, a three-dimensional suction cup box having an open surface facing the object surface; an outer suction cup frame provided on the outer periphery of the suction cup box; a membrane-like suction cup seal attached to an inner suction cup frame defining the open face of the suction cup box, the membrane-like suction cup seal having an inner edge portion attached to the inner suction cup frame, an outer edge portion extending outward from the inner edge portion, and an outer edge portion extending outward; A negative pressure suction cup that uses negative pressure to adhere to the surface of an object, wherein the outer edge of the seal is attached to the outer frame of the suction cup; In the case where the surface of the object is, for example, a corrugated slate roofing material, the cross-sectional shape of the inner edge of the seal extending in a direction intersecting with the axis of the waves, in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface of the inner edge of the seal extending in a direction intersecting with the axis of the waves and intersecting with the surface of the object, is such that the inner edge of the seal has a cross-sectional shape with corrugated pleats; The cross-sectional shape of the outer seal edge portion extending in a direction intersecting the wave axis, in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface of the outer seal edge portion which is a plane extending in a direction intersecting the wave axis and intersecting with the surface of the object, is such that the outer seal edge portion has a cross-sectional shape with wave-like folds; A negative pressure suction cup is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0005] In the present invention, a negative pressure suction cup that utilizes negative pressure to adhere to the surface of an object can be negatively pressure adhered to the surface of an object that has a surface shape with corrugated pleats, such as slate roofing material, and the suction cup seal has abrasion resistance and high strength, so a negative pressure suction cup that is highly durable and has high functionality is provided. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0006] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an apparatus constructed according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Example]

[0007] 1 to 6, the configuration of a negative pressure suction cup 2 that suctions onto an object surface 1 by utilizing negative pressure according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. a three-dimensional suction cup box 21 whose surface facing the object surface 1 is open; an outer suction cup frame 22 provided on the outer periphery of the suction cup box 21; a membrane-like suction cup seal 23 having an inner edge portion, i.e., a seal inner edge portion 231, attached to an inner suction cup frame 212 defining the open surface of the suction cup box 21, a portion, i.e., a seal main body portion 232, extending outward from the seal inner edge portion, and an extended outer edge portion, i.e., a seal outer edge portion 233; In a negative pressure suction cup 2 that is attached to an object surface 1 using negative pressure, the seal outer edge portion 233 is attached to the suction cup outer frame 22; For example, in the case of an object surface 1 that is a corrugated slate roofing material, the cross-sectional shape of the seal inner edge portion 231 extending in a direction intersecting with the wave axis, in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface of the seal inner edge portion 231 that is a plane extending in a direction intersecting with the wave axis and intersecting with the object surface 1, the seal inner edge portion 231 has a cross-sectional shape with corrugated pleats; The cross-sectional shape of the seal outer edge 233 extending in a direction intersecting the wave axis, in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the cut surface of the seal outer edge 233 which is a plane extending in a direction intersecting the wave axis and intersecting with the object surface 1, is such that the seal outer edge 233 has a cross-sectional shape with wave-shaped folds. The seal inner edge portion 231 is fixed to the suction cup inner frame 212 by a seal inner edge fastening member 213 and a seal inner edge fastening bolt 214 . The seal outer edge 233 is formed by the seal outer edge fastening member 223 and the seal outer edge fastening bolt. 224, and is fixed to the suction cup outer frame 22. In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the top view of Figure 3, the shape of the upper surface of the seal outer edge portion 233, the shape of the upper surface of the suction cup outer frame 22, and the shape of the upper surface of the seal outer edge fastening member 223 are flat rather than wavy. Although not shown in the top view of Figure 3, the shapes of the upper surfaces of the seal inner edge portion 231, the suction cup inner frame 212, and the seal inner edge fastening member 213 are flat rather than wavy. A fluid coupling 211 is drilled into the suction cup box 21, and the fluid coupling 211 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) via a fluid hose (not shown).

[0008] Regarding the suction cup outer frame 22 provided on the outer periphery of the suction cup box 21, the suction cup outer frame 22 in the first embodiment of the present invention is in the form of a box that surrounds the outer periphery of the suction cup box 21, and the portion facing the object surface 1 is open. A fluid coupling 221 is drilled into the suction cup outer frame 22, and the fluid coupling 221 is connected to a flow path switching valve (not shown) via a fluid hose (not shown), and the flow path switching valve has a flow path configuration that can be selectively connected to a low-pressure air compressor (not shown) and a low-pressure vacuum pump (not shown). The suction cup outer frame 22 in the first embodiment of the present invention comprises an airtight housing that surrounds the outer periphery of the suction cup housing 21, but the suction cup outer frame 22 does not necessarily have to comprise an airtight housing, and there may also be an embodiment in which the suction cup outer frame 22 comprises only a frame to which the seal outer edge portion 233 is fixed.

[0009] In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in the top view of Figure 7, the shape of the upper surface of the seal outer edge portion 233, the shape of the upper surface of the suction cup outer frame 22, and the shape of the upper surface of the seal outer edge fastening member 223 are wavy. Although not shown in the top view of Figure 7, the shape of the upper surface of the seal inner edge portion 231, the shape of the upper surface of the suction cup inner frame 212, and the shape of the upper surface of the seal inner edge fastening member 213 are wavy. In the drawings of the second embodiment of the present invention, the plan view of FIG. 1, the right side view of FIG. 2, the cross-sectional view along the line B-B of FIG. 5, and the rear view of FIG. 6 are common to the drawings of the first embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of describing a second embodiment of the present invention, the inventors have described a second embodiment of the present invention for purposes of the following explanation. That is, as shown in the top view of Figure 7, even if the shape of the upper surface of the seal outer edge portion 233, the shape of the upper surface of the suction cup outer frame 22, and the shape of the upper surface of the seal outer edge fastening member 223 are wavy rather than flat, there is no problem with the function and performance of the negative pressure suction cup. Although not shown in the top view of Figure 7, the shape of the upper surface of the seal inner edge portion 231, the shape of the upper surface of the suction cup inner frame 212, and the shape of the upper surface of the seal inner edge fastening member 213 may be wavy rather than flat, without causing any inconvenience to the function and performance of the negative pressure suction cup.

[0010] The operation of the negative pressure suction cup 2 described above will now be described. When the suction cup seal 23 of the negative pressure suction cup 2 faces and contacts the object surface 1, if low-pressure air is flowed from a low-pressure air compressor (not shown) via the fluid coupling 221 into the space enclosed by the suction cup box 21, the suction cup outer frame 22, and the suction cup seal 23, the suction cup seal 23 will expand toward the object surface 1. Next, when the vacuum pump (not shown) is operated, the atmosphere surrounding the object surface 1 and the negative pressure suction cup 2 is sucked into the vacuum pump (not shown) via the fluid coupling 211 drilled into the suction cup box 21 and a fluid hose (not shown), causing the suction cup seal 23 to adhere tightly to the object surface 1, i.e., the negative pressure suction cup 2 is negatively pressure-adsorbed to the object surface 1. Next, the flow path of the flow path switching valve is changed from a low-pressure air compressor (not shown) to a low-pressure vacuum pump (not shown). The flow path of the flow path switching valve may be changed from a low-pressure air compressor (not shown) to communication with the atmosphere, rather than from a low-pressure air compressor (not shown) to a low-pressure vacuum pump (not shown). When the negative pressure suction cup 2 is negatively pressure-sucked to the object surface 1, the suction cup seal 23 is deformed to follow the shape of the slate roofing material. Therefore, because the pressure in the space enclosed by the suction cup box 21, the suction cup outer frame 22, and the suction cup seal 23 is higher than the pressure inside the suction cup box 21, the suction cup seal 23 is pressed against the object surface 1, i.e., the suction cup seal 23 is airtightly adhered to the object surface 1.

[0011] The effects of the preferred embodiment of the device constructed according to the present invention will now be described. In the present invention, a negative pressure suction cup that utilizes negative pressure to adhere to the surface of an object can be negatively pressure adhered to the surface of an object that has a surface shape with corrugated pleats, such as slate roofing material, and the suction cup seal has abrasion resistance and high strength, so a negative pressure suction cup that is highly durable and has high functionality is provided. The preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention has been described above, but in addition to the preferred embodiment, various other embodiments of the device of the present invention can be considered in accordance with the scope of the claims. Although the above description of the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention has been given assuming that the device is located on the surface of an object in the atmosphere, the device of the present invention can also be applied underwater. In such cases, a water pump or a water-driven ejector can be used as the negative pressure generating means instead of a vacuum pump. [Industrial Applicability]

[0012] Such a negative pressure suction cup has abrasion resistance and high strength, and therefore has the advantages of being highly durable and highly functional, making it suitable for a variety of uses. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the direction of an object surface. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line BB. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a top view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0014] object surface 1 Negative pressure suction cup 2 Suction cup box 21 Fluid Coupling 211 Suction cup inner frame 212 Seal inner edge tightening member 213 Seal inner edge tightening bolt 214 Suction cup outer frame 22 Fluid Coupling 221 Seal outer edge fastening member 223 Seal outer edge tightening bolt 224 Suction cup sticker 23 Seal inner edge 231 Seal body 232 Seal outer edge 233

Claims

1. a three-dimensional suction cup box having an open surface facing the object surface; an outer suction cup frame provided on the outer periphery of the suction cup box; a membrane-like suction cup seal attached to an inner suction cup frame defining the open face of the suction cup box, the membrane-like suction cup seal having an inner edge portion attached to the inner suction cup frame, an outer edge portion extending outward from the inner edge portion, and an outer edge portion extending outward from the inner edge portion; A negative pressure suction cup that uses negative pressure to adhere to the surface of an object, wherein the outer edge of the seal is attached to the outer frame of the suction cup; The portion of the inner edge of the seal that extends along the surface of the object is configured to form corrugated pleats; the portion of the seal that extends along the edge of the object is configured to form corrugated pleats; A negative pressure suction cup characterized by:

2. The portion of the suction cup inner frame that extends along the surface of the object is configured to form wave-shaped pleats; the portion of the suction cup outer frame that extends along the surface of the object is configured to form wave-shaped pleats; 2. The negative pressure suction cup according to claim 1 .

3. The portion of the seal inner edge fastening member that fixes the inner edge of the seal to the inner frame of the suction cup, extending along the surface of the object, is configured to form wave-shaped folds; the portion of the seal outer edge fastening member that fixes the outer edge of the seal to the outer frame of the suction cup, extending along the surface of the object, is configured to form wave-shaped folds; 3. The negative pressure suction cup according to claim 1 or 2.

4. 4. The negative pressure suction cup according to claim 1, further comprising a valve mechanism for injecting a low-pressure fluid into a space enclosed by the suction cup box, the suction cup outer frame, and the suction cup seal.

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