Electronic Suction Cup Release for Secure Damage-Free Attachment
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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 or being easily tampered with.
Innovation Solution
An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly that includes a suction cup with a gas generating cell, which forms a vacuum with the surface and can be released electronically by ejecting gas from the cell, allowing for secure attachment and easy detachment of objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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, but the attachment strength is insufficient to prevent unauthorized removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical suction cup system with an electronically-controlled release mechanism. A gas generating cell (electrochemical device) is integrated into the suction cup assembly, allowing electronic triggering of gas ejection to break the vacuum seal. This substitution of mechanical holding force with electronically-controlled chemical energy release resolves the contradiction by providing strong attachment during normal use while enabling reliable, authorized release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the suction cup system by introducing a gas generating cell that can rapidly alter the pressure differential maintaining the vacuum seal. The cell contains reactive materials that, when activated electrically, generate gas to equalize pressure between the interior and exterior of the suction cup, thereby breaking the seal. This parameter change enables transition from strong attachment state to easy release state, resolving the reliability-ease of operation contradiction.
2Reliability
If a strong adhesive or mechanical fastening is used to prevent theft, then security is improved, but the surface may be damaged or altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent mechanical fastening or adhesive systems with a reversible electrochemical-gas-based release mechanism. The gas generating cell provides controlled pressure equalization that breaks the vacuum seal without mechanical force or chemical adhesion, allowing secure attachment during use while ensuring damage-free removal. This substitution eliminates surface damage while maintaining security during the attached state.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup assembly is designed to be self-contained with the gas generating cell integrated into its structure. The cell automatically provides the necessary gas pressure to break the seal when electrically activated, without requiring external tools, additional chemicals, or manual intervention beyond electrical triggering. This self-service capability enables secure yet damage-free attachment and removal operations.
3Ease of operation
If a portable safe is designed to be easily movable, then portability is improved, but security against unauthorized removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates an electronically-controlled gas generating cell into the portable safe's suction cup assembly, replacing purely mechanical attachment systems. The electrochemical cell provides authorized, controlled release of the vacuum seal through electrical activation, enabling the safe to remain securely attached during transport while allowing authorized users to easily release it when needed. This resolves the contradiction between portability and security by adding electronic control to the mechanical attachment system.
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 a secure and portable way to attach objects to surfaces, preventing unauthorized removal while allowing easy release for movement or storage, without causing damage to the surface.
Implementation Method 1
The suction cup has a cavity and is configured to be releasably secured to the surface
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
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.