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 relocatable solution to secure valuable items to surfaces without damaging the surface or being easily tampered with, particularly in temporary living or working spaces, such as college dormitories and construction sites, where traditional securing methods are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
An electronically-releasable suction cup assembly that includes a suction cup with a gas generating cell, connected to an electronic circuit, allowing for controlled release from surfaces by ejecting gas to alleviate vacuum pressure, enabling secure attachment and detachment of objects to flat surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional securing methods (chains, cables, locks) are used to secure valuable items to surfaces, then security against theft is improved, but the method damages the surface or requires permanent installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical securing methods (chains, cables, locks) with a vacuum-based suction cup system. The suction cup creates a vacuum seal against the surface, generating holding force through pressure differential rather than mechanical anchoring. This eliminates the need for drilling, screwing, or chaining that would damage the surface, while still providing secure attachment for valuable items.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses vacuum pressure (pneumatic principle) to secure the valuable item to the surface. The suction cup forms a sealed cavity that maintains vacuum pressure, creating sufficient holding force to prevent theft. The system includes a vacuum pump and control mechanisms to maintain and release the vacuum as needed, providing both security and surface protection.
2Reliability
If traditional securing methods are used to physically secure the safe, then security against theft is improved, but portability and ease of relocation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup system transitions from a static permanent installation to a dynamic releasable attachment. The vacuum seal can be easily broken by activating the vacuum pump in reverse or opening a release valve, allowing the safe to be quickly relocated. This dynamic capability provides both security when attached and portability when needed, resolving the contradiction between fixed security and movable convenience.
3Ease of operation
If a suction cup system is used to secure the appliance to a surface, then portability and ease of relocation are improved, but security against tampering and unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a strong vacuum seal in advance that requires deliberate action to break. The vacuum pump creates and maintains the seal, and the system includes sensors and control mechanisms that detect tampering attempts. This preliminary secure attachment provides both easy portability (when legitimately moved) and security against unauthorized access, as breaking the vacuum seal requires overcoming the pressure differential and triggering alarm mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If a gas generating cell is added to enable electronic release of the suction cup, then ease of operation for authorized users is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas generating cell changes the pressure parameter within the suction cup cavity to enable release. When activated, it generates gas that enters the vacuum cavity, equalizing the pressure differential and breaking the vacuum seal. This allows electronic control of the suction cup's attachment state without requiring complex mechanical release mechanisms, balancing improved ease of operation with acceptable system complexity.
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, portable, and non-damaging way to attach and detach valuable items from surfaces, enhancing security and ease of relocation while preventing unauthorized access or tampering.
Implementation Method 1
The base may be configured to be releasably secured to the surface by forming a vacuum with the surface
Implementation Method 2
The gas generating cell is configured to selectively eject gas 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.