Quick-Release Anchoring Apparatus with Flexible Acceleration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring apparatus with suction cups or suction seal stabilizers face issues with premature vent port opening due to spurious upward accelerations, leading to unintended release from surfaces, and reliance on pressure for maintaining connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A universal quick-release anchoring apparatus with a non-porous resilient anchor member and a movable auxiliary component that uses flexible members to resist accelerations and maintain seal integrity, allowing intentional venting without spurious release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid mechanical stopper is used, then the vent port can be reliably closed, but it cannot be actuated except by a specific movement pattern involving noticeable distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the venting operation from a mechanical displacement task to an elastic deformation task. The flexible member can be actuated by small forces over short distances, making operation easier while maintaining reliable vent port closure during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member introduces dynamic compliance to the system, allowing it to deform elastically in response to small actuation forces. This enables easy operation for intentional venting while the elastic recovery maintains reliable closure during normal operation.
2Ease of operation
If the base seal member is highly flexible to enable self-sealing, then no pushing force is needed, but the elastic rebound forces are weak and insufficient to overcome gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into two separate components: the base seal member provides self-sealing capability without requiring pushing force, while the flexible member provides the additional elastic rebound force needed to overcome gravity. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member acts as an intermediary between the base seal member and the gravitational load. It receives the sealing action from the base seal member and amplifies the rebound force to overcome gravity, mediating between the soft self-sealing mechanism and the heavier load requirements.
3Force
If the flexible member is connected between the movable auxiliary component and the anchor member, then it can resist acceleration forces, but it must remain non-reliant on pressure within the controlled pressure zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the acceleration resistance function from the pressure-dependent sealing mechanism. The flexible member is designed to resist acceleration forces through its elastic properties alone, independent of the pressure within the controlled pressure zone, ensuring reliable operation even when pressure conditions vary.
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 effectively prevents unwanted venting due to spurious accelerations while enabling intentional release, maintaining stability and preventing spillage or dislodgment of carried items.
Implementation Method 1
One or more flexible members resiliently deform to generate resistance as the second auxiliary component moves in a venting direction away from a vent port closure position
Implementation Method 2
the air pressure in the volumetric cavity to proportionately decrease in accordance with Boyle's Law. A pressure differential is generated in which the pressure within the volumetric cavity is lower than the ambient air pressure outside the cavity, thereby resulting in a partial vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release anchoring apparatus with acceleration damping includes an anchor member configured to engage an external reference surface and form a substantially airtight seal therewith that defines a controlled pressure zone. A first auxiliary component carries the anchor member. A vent port provides fluid communication between the controlled pressure zone and an area of ambient pressure. A second auxiliary component moves relative to the first auxiliary component between a vent port closure position and a vent port open position. The second auxiliary component and the first auxiliary component are discrete components. One or more flexible members deform as the second auxiliary component moves in a venting direction away from the vent port closure position toward the vent port open position. The one or more flexible members resist accelerations of the second auxiliary component away from the vent port closure position but allow normal lifting of the anchoring apparatus.