Dual-Material Suction Cup for Rough and Underwater Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction devices struggle to achieve reliable adhesion to substrate surfaces with significant roughness, curvature, and varying moisture levels, as they are typically designed for smooth, flat surfaces and fail on wet or submerged surfaces with biofilm growth.
Innovation Solution
A suction device comprising a first harder elastic material for actuation and a second ultra-soft material with integrated particles or fibers that can adapt to rough, curved surfaces by pressing against contours and recesses, ensuring a wide contact area for improved sealing and friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional suction cups are used on smooth surfaces, then adhesion reliability is good, but they cannot adhere to rough, curved, or wet surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device incorporates a dual-material construction where the first region uses harder elastic material for structural integrity and actuation, while the second region uses ultra-soft material for conforming to rough and curved surfaces. This local differentiation of material properties enables the device to adapt to diverse surface conditions while maintaining reliable adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines two distinct elastomeric materials with different hardness properties into a single suction device. The harder first material provides mechanical strength and actuation capability, while the softer second material provides surface conformability. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between adaptability and reliability by integrating complementary material properties.
2Reliability
If ultra-soft material is used to increase contact area on rough surfaces, then sealing improves, but structural integrity and actuation capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device divides its structure into two regions with different material properties: the first region uses harder elastic material for structural integrity and actuation, while the second region uses ultra-soft material for sealing and surface conformability. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device is segmented into two functional regions with distinct material properties. The first region handles structural and actuation functions, while the second region handles sealing and adaptation functions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each region's properties to resolve the contradiction between strength and sealing quality.
3Strength
If harder material is used for actuation, then structural integrity is maintained, but adhesion to rough surfaces decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device uses harder elastic material in the first region for actuation and structural integrity, while using ultra-soft material in the second region for surface conformability and adhesion. This spatial differentiation of material hardness allows the device to maintain both actuation capability and surface adaptability simultaneously.
4Force
If suction cups are designed for permanent attachment, then holding force is strong, but surface damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses elastomeric materials with specifically selected hardness parameters (Shore A 10-40 for the first material, Shore A 0-10 for the second material) to achieve strong holding forces through reversible adhesion and friction, while the softness of these materials prevents surface damage compared to rigid permanent fasteners.
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 provides reliable adhesion to rough, curved, and moist surfaces, including underwater environments, with increased holding forces and improved sealing, allowing for efficient attachment of objects without damaging the substrate.
Implementation Method 1
the second area of a second material which is softer with respect to the first material, wherein the second material is an ultra-soft material with a Shore hardness of less than or equal to 50 such that the second area adapts better to rough, uneven and/or curved substrate surfaces
Implementation Method 2
Suction cups offer a good way to attach objects reversibly and without damaging the surface to non-porous substrates
Implementation Method 3
the first area consists of at least one harder elastic first material... the radial freedom of movement of the second area is not restricted by either internal or external stops of the first area
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a suction device, in particular a suction cup (1), suction lifter or vacuum gripper (1V), for reversible adhesion to a substrate surface (2), comprising a first area (3) for actuating the suction device and a second area (4) that can be brought into contact with the substrate surface (2) via a suction cup surface (5), wherein the first area (3) consists of at least one harder first material and the second area (4) consists of a second material that is softer than the first material, wherein the second material is an ultra-soft material with a Shore hardness of less than 50, wherein the thickness (d2) of the second area in an unloaded state is at least 2.5% of an outer diameter (D1) or a length (L) or width (B) of the first area (3) and/or particles (6) and/or fibers that are harder than the second material are integrated into the at least one second material.The suction cup shown can be used on very rough and undulating surfaces and also underwater. (Figure 1).