Cyclic Electric Suction Cup for Stable Vacuum Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction cups tend to fall off due to air entering the space between the cup and the object surface, leading to a loss of vacuum and instability, especially when used on smooth surfaces like car roofs, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A cyclic switching electric suction cup with an actuating member that includes an air extraction motor, power supply, control panel, and locking sleeve, which actively manages air pressure by extracting air from the chamber to maintain a vacuum state, preventing air from entering and ensuring a firm attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional rubber suction cup is used to attach to smooth surfaces, then initial suction is achieved, but air gradually enters the space between the cup and surface causing the suction cup to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system with an air extraction motor that actively pumps air out of the chamber. The motor is controlled to operate periodically, extracting air when the pressure differential decreases, thereby dynamically maintaining the vacuum state and preventing the cup from falling off.
Solution Approach 2:
The air extraction motor operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The control panel activates the motor at intervals to extract air from the chamber, creating a periodic action that maintains the vacuum state over extended periods while conserving energy compared to continuous operation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the suction cup operates for a long time, then mounting stability is initially maintained, but air enters the chamber causing vacuum loss and the cup to detach
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel monitors the vacuum state in the chamber and provides feedback control for the air extraction motor. When air enters and pressure equalizes, the system detects this change and activates the motor to extract air again, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains reliable vacuum conditions throughout extended operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic operation of the air extraction motor ensures continuous maintenance of the vacuum state. By repeatedly extracting air at appropriate intervals, the system maintains the useful suction action indefinitely, preventing the natural decay that would occur in a passive suction cup.
3Reliability
If an air extraction motor is added to actively maintain vacuum, then suction stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup system serves itself by automatically detecting when air has entered the chamber and activating the air extraction motor to restore the vacuum state. The control panel and motor work autonomously to maintain suction without requiring external intervention, making the system self-regulating despite the added components.
Solution Approach 2:
The air extraction motor serves multiple functions: it extracts air to create initial vacuum, maintains vacuum during operation by removing渗入 air, and can potentially serve as a mounting mechanism itself. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single component.
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 electric suction cup maintains a stable attachment for a longer duration by cyclically managing air pressure, preventing the cup from falling off due to insufficient suction, thus ensuring safety and reliability, especially when used on car roofs.
Implementation Method 1
the air chamber is in a vacuum state
Implementation Method 2
the air extraction motor is connected to an air extraction pipe communicated with the first guide hole
Implementation Method 3
the space between the suction cup and the object surface is in a vacuum state
Implementation Method 4
the atmospheric pressure between the suction cup and the object's surface
Implementation Method 5
the air in the locking sleeve is simultaneously extracted and elastically shrinks and deforms
Data Source
AI summary
A cyclic switching electric suction cup is provided. The electric suction cup includes a suction member and an actuating member. The actuating member includes an air extraction motor, a power supply, a control panel and a locking sleeve. When an air chamber is in the non-vacuum mode, one end of the locking sleeve abuts against a first switch to activate the air extraction motor and perform air extraction. During the air extraction, the air in the locking sleeve is simultaneously extracted and the locking sleeve elastically shrinks and deforms. After the air extraction is completed and the air chamber is in the vacuum mode, the end of the locking sleeve abutting against the first switch is gradually distant from the first switch so that the air extraction motor stop extraction. The actuating member repeats this cycle when the air chamber is in the non-vacuum mode.