Replaceable Sealing Ring Suction Cup Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction cups with integrated bellows and sealing surfaces face challenges in versatility and maintenance, as the sealing surface wears out, requiring replacement of the entire suction cup, and the properties of the bellows and sealing surface often differ, making them unsuitable for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup design featuring a replaceable sealing ring with a lip that engages a circumferentially running groove in the suction cup, allowing for a form-fitting connection and enabling the use of interchangeable bellows, end pieces, and sealing rings to adapt to different applications, with a common interface for modular assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the sealing surface is formed integrally with the bellows, then the suction cup structure is simplified, but the entire suction cup must be discarded when the sealing surface is worn out
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into separate components: the bellows and the sealing ring. The sealing ring is made as a separate replaceable component that can be detached and replaced independently from the bellows, allowing maintenance without discarding the entire suction cup.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the integrated bellows structure and placed into a separate sealing ring component. This allows the sealing surface to be taken out and replaced independently when worn, while the bellows can continue to be reused.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing surface properties are adapted to the object, then the handling capability is improved, but the bellows properties must be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different components are assigned different material properties suited to their specific functions. The sealing ring is made from soft, flexible material (such as rubber or silicone) to provide good sealing and friction properties for handling objects, while the bellows is made from stronger, more stable material to provide structural support and elasticity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a double-casting process is used to integrate bellows and sealing surface, then the suction cup can be manufactured, but the entire suction cup must be discarded when the sealing surface is worn out
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into separate components: the bellows and the sealing ring. The sealing ring is made as a separate replaceable component that can be detached and replaced independently from the bellows, allowing maintenance without discarding the entire suction cup.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the sealing ring is discarded when worn out, while the bellows is recovered and reused. This extends the overall service life of the suction cup system by allowing selective replacement of only the consumable sealing component.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing ring is made replaceable, then the suction cup versatility is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling function is merged into both components through complementary coupling elements. The bellows has a coupling element that receives the sealing ring, and the sealing ring has a corresponding coupling element, creating a unified assembly that is simple to put together despite being composed of separate parts.
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
This design provides a suction cup with extended lifetime and improved versatility, allowing for customization of properties and easy assembly, as the sealing ring can be replaced independently, enhancing the suction cup's adaptability and usability across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure difference between the ambient atmosphere and the vacuum inside the suction cup is used to enhance a tight and strong connection between the suction cup and the sealing ring in the holding position of the suction cup
Data Source
Figure 1~4b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A suction cup for a tool driven by vacuum is presented, said suction cup in a first or upper end arranged to be brought into fluid flow communication with a vacuum source and in its opposite end arranged to be brought tightly into contact with the surface of an object to be handled. The suction cup is in its lower end arranged to be coupled to a sealing ring (2) having a sealing surface (5) arranged between an outer periphery (6) and a through- opening (8) defined by an inner periphery (7), and the sealing ring in the region of its inner periphery having a lip (10) arranged to engage with the suction cup, to which purpose the suction cup in its lower end has a circumferentially running groove (11) in which the peripheral region and the lip of the sealing ring is insertable under form fitting engagement and in a radially overlapping relation between the groove (11) and the lip (10) in the region (r) of engagement.