Electronically Releasable Suction Cup Assembly for Secure Surface Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a secure, portable, and easily removable solution to attach valuable items to flat surfaces without damaging the surface, addressing challenges of access control, portability, physical security, and surface integrity in temporary living or working spaces.

Innovation Solution

An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly that includes a suction cup with a gas generating cell, connected to an electronic circuit, allowing controlled release from flat surfaces by ejecting gas to alleviate vacuum, enabling secure attachment and detachment of objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a suction cup is used to secure an object to a surface, then the object can be easily attached and removed without damaging the surface, but the object cannot be easily protected from unauthorized removal or lifting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and removalVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction cup assembly performs the security function automatically through the gas generating cell that releases gas upon activation to break the vacuum seal, eliminating the need for manual intervention to release the suction cup while maintaining strong holding force during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical release mechanism (such as buttons, levers, or keys) with a chemical-to-mechanical energy conversion system where the gas generating cell uses chemical reactions to produce gas that mechanically breaks the vacuum seal, providing a more reliable and tamper-resistant release mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If a strong suction force is used to secure the object firmly, then the object resists lifting and sliding effectively, but the suction cup becomes harder to release when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding forceVSAvoidease of release

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gas generating cell is designed to release gas in a controlled periodic or triggered manner rather than continuously, maintaining strong suction during normal operation and then rapidly releasing it when activated, creating a clear distinction between holding and releasing phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure parameter within the suction cup by introducing gas from the gas generating cell, which increases the internal pressure and breaks the vacuum seal, thereby transitioning the suction cup from a high-holding-force state to an easy-release state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a portable safe or valuable item is secured to a flat surface, then portability and accessibility are improved, but the security against theft or unauthorized access is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsecurity against theft

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the security system into two functional segments: the suction cup assembly that provides portable attachment capability and the gas generating cell that provides secure release control, allowing the system to be distributed or integrated in different configurations based on security requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gas generating cell acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the suction cup, requiring activation of the gas release function to remove the object, thereby adding a controlled access layer that enhances security while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides secure attachment and easy release of objects, ensuring access control and portability while maintaining surface integrity, with the ability to resist lifting and sliding, and can be remotely controlled for added security features.

Implementation Method 1

The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas generation and ejection:

Implementation Method 2

The base is configured to be releasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum formation: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS10954993B2Electronically-releasable suction cup assembly secured to an appliance

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 TWO TON TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly is designed to releasably secure an object to a surface. The suction cup assembly includes a suction cup secured to the object. The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface. The suction cup assembly further includes a gas generating cell coupled to the suction cup. The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject fluid into the cavity of the suction cup to release the suction cup from the surface.