Suction apparatus having suction cup and glass-wiping device thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass-wiping devices with suction cups made of soft materials like rubber or silica gel face issues with high friction forces, leading to poor mobility and performance due to the increased friction coefficient between the suction cup and the glass surface.
Innovation Solution
A glass-wiping device with a suction apparatus comprising a flexible layer and a thin-film layer, where the thin-film layer has a lower friction coefficient than the flexible layer, allowing for secure suction and smooth movement by sealing the glass surface and deforming to avoid pressure leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction cup is made of soft materials like rubber or silica gel, then the suction force is improved, but the friction force increases causing poor mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is segmented into two functional layers: a flexible layer (rubber or silica gel) that provides suction force, and a thin-film layer (plastic film) that provides low-friction contact with the glass surface. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the suction cup have different material properties: the flexible layer has high elasticity for suction, while the thin-film layer has low friction coefficient for smooth movement. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between suction force and mobility.
2Reliability
If the suction cup uses flexible materials, then the suction seal is improved, but the friction coefficient increases reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into a flexible layer for sealing and a thin-film layer for low-friction contact. The flexible layer maintains the suction seal, while the thin-film layer (0.08-0.12mm thick plastic film) provides the contact surface with reduced friction coefficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup uses a composite structure combining two different materials: flexible material (rubber/silica gel) for seal integrity and plastic film material for low friction. This composite approach allows the system to benefit from both material properties simultaneously.
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 device effectively prevents falling off the glass while working, ensuring secure adhesion and smooth operation by reducing friction forces and maintaining suction even on uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The glass-wiping device sucks onto the surface of a glass via the suction apparatus
Implementation Method 2
the negative pressure chamber of the suction cup
Implementation Method 3
the thin-film layer readily deforms to avoid leakage in a negative pressure chamber
Implementation Method 4
the smaller friction force between the thin-film layer and the glass
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A suction apparatus (1) with a suction cup (11) and a glass-wiping device (8) thereof. The glass-wiping device (8) comprises the suction apparatus (1), a cleaning unit (3), a driver unit (4), a running unit (2), and a control unit (5). The running unit (2) and the cleaning unit (3) are both arranged at the bottom of the glass-wiping device (8). The control unit (5) is connected respectively to the cleaning unit (3) and to the driver unit (4). Under an action of the control unit (5), the driver unit (4) controls the running unit (2) to run. The glass-wiping device (8) sucks onto the surface a glass via the suction apparatus (1). The suction apparatus (1) comprises the suction cup (11). The suction cup (11) comprises a flexible layer (9) and a thin-film layer (10) connected to each other. The flexible layer (9) is connected to the bottom of the glass-wiping device (8). The thin-film layer (10) is for use in contacting and sealing the surface of the glass. The suction unit in the glass-wiping device (8) is capable of affixing securely onto the glass while working, thus effectively preventing the glass-wiping device from falling off the glass while working.