Self-Sealing Suction Cup for Vacuum Pressure Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media conveyors face inefficiencies due to vacuum pressure losses when vacuum holes are not covered by media, leading to increased energy costs and the need for larger vacuum sources or manual covering methods, which are time-consuming and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A self-activating suction cup arrangement that automatically seals vacuum holes when not covered by media, allowing vacuum pressure to be applied only when media is present, using a sealing piston and spring element to maintain sealing and apply suction force effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If vacuum holes are enlarged to increase vacuum force, then holding force on media is improved, but vacuum pressure is significantly reduced when holes are uncovered, leading to increased energy costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the vacuum holes selectively functional - they are open only in the local area where media is present and automatically sealed where no media is present. This is achieved through a deformable membrane that covers the vacuum holes, creating a locally adaptive system where vacuum force is applied only where needed, thus improving holding force efficiency while reducing energy waste from uncovered holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the vacuum hole coverage dynamic rather than static. The deformable membrane responds in real-time to the presence or absence of media, automatically opening vacuum holes when media is detected and sealing them when media is removed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal vacuum force while minimizing energy consumption by eliminating the need for continuous vacuum application to uncovered areas.
2Loss of energy
If manual covering methods are used to prevent vacuum pressure losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but operation becomes time-consuming and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the vacuum hole covering function to perform itself automatically without human intervention. The deformable membrane self-activates in response to media presence, automatically opening to allow vacuum when media is present and sealing to prevent pressure loss when media is absent. This eliminates the need for manual covering operations, making the system both energy-efficient and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the deformable membrane's response to media presence. The membrane acts as a sensor that detects when media is placed on or removed from the conveyor surface, and this information feeds back to control the vacuum hole state - opening when media is present and sealing when absent. This automatic feedback loop eliminates manual operation while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If vacuum holes are kept small to reduce energy loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but vacuum force application becomes insufficient for effective media handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the vacuum holes in advance through the deformable membrane structure. The membrane is positioned to cover the vacuum holes before media arrives, and automatically opens in anticipation of media contact. This preliminary positioning allows the system to maintain small vacuum hole sizes for energy efficiency while ensuring sufficient vacuum force is available immediately when media is present, as the holes are ready to open without delay.
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 solution ensures efficient vacuum force application to media of any size without increasing vacuum hole size, reducing energy costs and eliminating manual covering requirements, while maintaining flexibility in handling different substrate sizes.
Implementation Method 1
A suction cup 116 is positioned on the top surface of the support substrate 100 over the vacuum hole 114. A seal 124 extends around the suction cup 116 to engage with the support substrate 100 and define a vacuum sealed volume between the suction cup 116, the support substrate 100 and the rim 108 of the suction cup 116.
Implementation Method 2
A spring element 112 is coupled to the sealing piston 104 and biases the sealing piston 104 against the sealing surface 106 when the piston head 102 is in the retracted position.
Data Source
AI summary
According to examples, there is provided a suction device, system and method for retaining media on a surface. The suction device comprising a suction cup having a vacuum port for coupling the suction cup to a vacuum source, a sealing piston configured to seal the vacuum port when the sealing piston is in a first position, wherein when the sealing piston is in a second, depressed, position the vacuum source is coupled to the suction cup the sealing piston further comprising a piston head extending above a rim of the suction cup when the sealing piston is in the first position, and a biasing element to bias the sealing piston to the first position.