Dual Suction Cup Vacuum Detection for Wall-Climbing Glass Wipers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window-cleaning devices with single suction cups face gas leakage due to sliding friction, leading to insufficient vacuum pressure and potential device detachment from walls, especially when encountering gaps or bumps.
Innovation Solution
A glass-wiping device with a dual suction cup system, including an inner and outer suction cup, equipped with a vacuum detection unit using a deformable element and strain gauge, which controls the device to stop or redirect if vacuum pressure falls below a threshold, preventing further bumps from entering the inner suction cup and maintaining contact with the wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single suction cup is used to attach the device to the wall, then the device structure is simple, but gas leakage occurs due to sliding friction during wheel rolling, leading to insufficient vacuum pressure and potential device detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into an outer suction cup and an inner suction cup, forming a nested structure. The outer suction cup maintains contact with the wall surface while the inner suction cup provides additional vacuum pressure. This segmentation allows the outer suction cup to handle sliding friction during movement while the inner suction cup ensures sufficient vacuum pressure, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable vacuum maintenance.
2Device complexity
If a single suction cup is used, then the device has fewer components, but encountering gaps or bumps causes gas leakage and atmospheric pressure unbalance, resulting in device detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The nested dual suction cup structure provides a buffer zone. When the outer suction cup encounters bumps or gaps, the inner suction cup remains protected and maintains its seal with the wall surface. This prior cushioning structure prevents gas leakage from propagating to the inner suction cup, thereby preventing atmospheric pressure unbalance and device detachment.
3Reliability
If the outer suction cup fails, then there is no immediate protection, allowing small bumps to enter the inner suction cup and cause device failure
Solution Approach 1:
The outer suction cup acts as an intermediary protective layer between the environment (bumps, gaps) and the inner suction cup. Even if the outer suction cup fails, it initially blocks small bumps from reaching the inner suction cup, providing a critical buffer that prevents immediate device failure and allows for safe redirection.
4Productivity
If vacuum pressure is not monitored, then the device operates continuously, but insufficient vacuum pressure goes undetected until device detachment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A vacuum detection unit is integrated into the system to continuously monitor vacuum pressure levels. When the vacuum pressure falls below a threshold (indicating potential detachment risk), the system provides feedback to the control unit, which then redirects the device to a safe location. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous operation while maintaining safety through real-time monitoring.
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 dual suction cup system with vacuum detection ensures consistent vacuum pressure, preventing device detachment and allowing safe navigation over small bumps and cracks by adjusting suction chambers and pumps, thereby maintaining stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable element 20 being hermetically attached on an opening 141 on the top of the outer negative pressure chamber 14, the strain gauge 21 being arranged on the deformable element 20
Implementation Method 2
the strain gauge 21 being arranged on the deformable element 20
Implementation Method 3
a cavity inside the inner suction cup 11 forms an inner negative pressure chamber 13 by vacuum-pumping, a cavity between the inner suction cup 11 and the outer suction cups 12 forms an outer negative pressure chamber 14 by vacuum-pumping
Implementation Method 4
forms an inner negative pressure chamber 13 by vacuum-pumping, a cavity between the inner suction cup 11 and the outer suction cups 12 forms an outer negative pressure chamber 14 by vacuum-pumping
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A glass-wiping device and a run control method thereof. The suction apparatus comprises a suction cup unit (1). The suction cup unit (1) comprises an inner suction cup (11) and an outer suction cup (12). The inner suction cup (11) is arranged on the inside of the outer suction cup (12). A chamber on the inside of the inner suction cup (11) forms an inner negative pressure chamber (13) via vacuum suction. A chamber between the inner and outer suction cups (11 and 12) forms an outer negative pressure chamber (14) via vacuum suction. The outer negative pressure chamber (14) is connected to a vacuum detection unit. The vacuum detection unit comprises a distensible piece (20) and a distension-sensing piece (21). The distensible piece (20) is sealedly connected onto an opening on the top end of the outer negative pressure chamber (14). The distensible piece (20) has arranged thereon the distension-sensing piece (21). The glass-wiping device is provided with the suction apparatus, when in cases of failure of the outer suction cup (12) in the suction apparatus and of failure of the outer negative pressure chamber (14), the glass-wiping device will take measures immediately to prevent an increased number of small protrusions from entering the inner suction cup (11), thus preventing the phenomenon of the glass-wiping device falling off a wall from occurrence.