Flat Framework Suction Cup for Enhanced Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction cups with flat frameworks have insufficient adhesion force, leading to frequent detachment from supporting surfaces, especially on smooth or uneven surfaces, due to inadequate air sealing and friction.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup design featuring a flat framework with a cup body, connecting rod, cup cover, and a pressing element, incorporating seal elements and protruding rings for efficient force transfer and enhanced airtightness, along with radial cuts and annular protruding ribs for improved deformation and friction, ensuring strong adhesion and resistance to air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional suction cup with flat framework is used, then the structure is simple, but the adsorptive force is insufficient and the suction cup easily falls off
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into multiple functional components: framework, cup body, cup cover, connecting rod, and pressing element. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The framework is pre-designed in a flat state that facilitates easy placement on the supporting surface. The pressing element is pre-positioned to enable straightforward application of force for creating the vacuum cavity, eliminating complex assembly steps.
2Reliability
If the framework is deformed to create vacuum cavity, then adsorptive force increases, but air may easily enter the vacuum cavity through edge leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The cup cover acts as an intermediary component that seals the edge of the cup body. It prevents air from entering the vacuum cavity while allowing the framework to deform for creating negative pressure. The cup cover is pressed against the cup body edge by the pressing element to maintain this sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup body is made of flexible soft plastic material that can deform elastically when force is applied to the pressing element. This flexibility allows the cup body to create a vacuum cavity by deforming against the supporting surface while the cup cover maintains the seal.
3Reliability
If pressing force is applied to deform the framework, then vacuum cavity is created, but the force transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The framework is designed with a curved surface that conforms to the supporting surface when deformed. This curvature distribution optimizes the contact area and improves force transfer efficiency from the pressing element through the cup body to the supporting surface, enhancing vacuum cavity creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with a direct force transfer mechanism. The pressing element applies force directly to the cup body, which transfers the force through its flexible structure to the supporting surface, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical components and improving efficiency.
4Reliability
If the suction cup is designed for strong adsorption on smooth surfaces, then it may not adapt well to uneven or rough surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The framework and cup body are designed with dynamic flexibility, allowing them to adapt their shape to different supporting surfaces. When force is applied, the flexible materials deform to conform to the surface geometry, whether smooth or uneven, maintaining effective contact and adsorption across various surface types.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the suction cup, particularly the flexibility and deformation characteristics of the framework and cup body, are optimized to allow adaptation to different surface conditions. The material properties enable the cup to maintain sealing contact on both smooth and rough surfaces by adjusting its shape during the vacuum creation process.
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 design achieves a higher adhesion force and reduced likelihood of detachment by ensuring efficient force transfer and airtightness, making it suitable for various surface types, including uneven and rough surfaces, while maintaining a simple structure and low production costs.
Implementation Method 1
creating a vacuum cavity between the suction cup body and the supporting surface
Implementation Method 2
maintain attachment via vacuum assisted by adhesion
Implementation Method 3
air may easily seep in via the edge of the adsorption surface
Implementation Method 4
a seal element is provided on the adsorption surface of the cup body
Implementation Method 5
protruding rings are provided on inner surface of the cup cover used to touch and press on the back surface of the cup body
Data Source
AI summary
A suction cup, including a flat framework, a suction cup body covering the framework, a connection rod disposed on the back surface of the framework and passing through the cup body, a cup cover covering the connection rod and the cup body, and a pressing element provided on the back surface of the cup cover and in connection with the connection rod, a seal element on the adsorption surface of the cup body, and an annular protruding ring on the inner surface of the cup cover at a location corresponding to the seal element for touch pressing the inner surface of the cup body against the seal element. The invention uses rigid force transfer, and thus the force transfer is more effective. The sealing element enhances the airtightness of the suction cavity and increases the absorption force of the suction cup. When pulling the connection rod, due to the existence of the sealing element, the air cannot easily enter the suction cavity, and because before the pulling the framework is in a flat state, it can produces a high degree of vacuum and thus adsorption force so that the suction cup will not fall off the supporting surface easily. Furthermore, the suction cup of the invention is structurally simple with a lower manufacturing cost.