Adaptable Suction Cup Assembly for Randomly Oriented Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional end effectors struggle to effectively grasp and handle objects of varying shapes, sizes, and orientations in commercial warehouses due to their limited adaptability and requirement for precise alignment, especially when dealing with randomly oriented items.

Innovation Solution

A suction cup assembly with a pliable suction cup body, a resilient structural ring, and a flexible sealing membrane that conforms to the object's shape upon vacuum application, allowing for isotropic stiffness and deformation, enabling the end effector to grasp and lift objects without the need for external actuators or precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional end effectors use bellows-type or conical suction cups, then they can handle objects with precise alignment, but they struggle with randomly oriented objects and require complex positioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle randomly oriented objectsVSAvoidpositioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction cup uses a flexible membrane that can deform and conform to various object shapes and orientations. The membrane is coupled with a resilient ring that allows the cup to adapt its shape passively when vacuum is applied, eliminating the need for precise positioning or complex actuators to handle randomly oriented objects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cup transitions from a rigid, fixed-shape design to a dynamic, deformable structure. The flexible membrane and resilient ring enable the cup to change its shape and orientation adaptively in response to vacuum pressure, allowing it to grasp objects in various orientations without requiring complex positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If suction cups are made rigid for structural stability, then they maintain shape, but they cannot conform to objects of varying shapes and sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to object shapesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The suction cup employs a flexible membrane instead of a rigid structure. This membrane can deform and conform to various object geometries while maintaining the vacuum seal, enabling the cup to adapt to objects of different shapes and sizes without compromising structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cup combines a flexible membrane with a resilient ring structure. This composite design provides both the conformability needed to adapt to various object shapes and the structural stability required to maintain vacuum pressure and support the grasped object

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If external actuators are added to enable suction cup deformation, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation capabilityVSAvoidactuator requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction cup is designed to deform automatically in response to vacuum pressure without requiring external actuators. The flexible membrane and resilient ring work together to enable passive deformation, simplifying the device by eliminating complex actuation mechanisms while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a simpler vacuum-based deformation mechanism. Instead of using motors, pistons, or other active actuators to deform the suction cup, the design relies on vacuum pressure to naturally deform the flexible membrane, reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The suction cup assembly enhances the end effector's ability to securely grasp and lift objects of diverse shapes and sizes, ensuring reliable handling and transportation while being lightweight, inexpensive, and easily disposable, with the ability to return to its rest position after release.

Implementation Method 1

Upon application of vacuum (preferably), or optionally upon actuation by actuators, such as linear actuators, the suction cup can deform to conform to the shape of an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

A flat or planar resilient structural ring is coupled to the proximal side of the suction cup body opposite the contact surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10875194B1Adaptable suction cup assembly

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A suction-cup end effector conforms to and grasps objects upon application of vacuum force. The suction cup assembly can have isotropic stiffness in a plane defined by a contact surface of the suction cup assembly and thus can conform regardless of the orientation of the suction cup to the object. The suction cup includes a foam suction cup body, a thin structural ring to provide a spring bias toward a rest position, and a sealing membrane within the structural ring to seal the suction cup.