Modular Suction Cup Assembly for Diverse Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction cups lack flexibility in adapting to different operating conditions and handling objects, particularly sensitive items like food and plastic bags, often causing damage due to inadequate sealing and vacuum distribution.
Innovation Solution
A modular suction cup design featuring a suction bowl, intermediate ring, and carrier ring with adjustable sealing rings and vacuum channels, allowing for flexible adaptation to various handling tasks through force-locking and form-fitting connections, ensuring uniform vacuum distribution and secure object handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional suction cup design is used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different handling objects is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into multiple modular components: a suction element, a sealing element, and a connection element. These segments can be independently selected and combined based on the specific handling requirements, allowing adaptation to different objects without redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction cup incorporates adjustable sealing elements that can be positioned or configured dynamically to match different object geometries and surface characteristics, enabling the same basic structure to adapt to various handling tasks.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed sealing design is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the damage to sensitive objects like food and plastic bags occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with varying local properties - different regions of the sealing surface have different compliance, hardness, or geometry to match specific object features. This allows gentle contact with sensitive objects while maintaining effective sealing where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing force and contact pressure can be adjusted by changing vacuum level, sealing element material properties, or geometric parameters, allowing optimization for fragile objects like food and plastic bags without requiring different sealing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If uniform vacuum distribution is not achieved, then the vacuum application is simple, but the secure handling of diverse objects is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The suction element incorporates a porous structure with multiple small openings distributed across its surface. This porous configuration naturally distributes the vacuum force uniformly across the contact area, preventing localized high-stress points that could damage objects while maintaining reliable attachment.
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 modular design enables secure handling of diverse objects without damage, with adjustable sealing to suit different materials, ensuring effective vacuum application and reliable attachment to handling devices.
Implementation Method 1
a suction bowl (2) which is provided with a vacuum connection (14) at a bowl bottom
Implementation Method 2
by means of suction, the suction gripper having suction recesses
Implementation Method 3
the carrier ring (4) is provided with a sealing ring (5) which is designed for sealing contact with a handling object
Implementation Method 4
allowing for flexible adaptation to various handling tasks through force-locking and form-fitting connections
Data Source
AI summary
Suction cup for a handling device, with a suction bowl which is provided with a vacuum connection at a bowl bottom and which is connected to an intermediate ring at a bowl mouth, the intermediate ring being provided with a carrier ring and the carrier ring being provided at an axial end region, which faces away from the intermediate ring, with a sealing ring, which is configured for a sealing abutment on a handling object.