Snap-Action Suction Cup for Uneven Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction cups with integrated elastically deformable actuating parts and flexible sealing materials are limited in their ability to adhere to non-smooth surfaces and have an unappealing appearance, while modifications that increase elasticity and flexibility often result in higher costs and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup design featuring a snap-action disc with a convex front side that deforms into a concave state upon pressure application, utilizing stored deformation energy for automatic reformation and generating negative pressure for adhesion, allowing for a flat and aesthetically pleasing design that can adhere to uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elastically deformable actuating element is made of material with significantly greater elasticity than the sealing material, then the restoring forces are increased and the sealing material can be made more compliant for better adaptation to uneven surfaces, but the suction cup cannot be completely flat and manufacturing costs increase due to multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a thermoplastic elastomer with specific elasticity characteristics that provides sufficient restoring force while maintaining compliance. The actuating element's material is selected to have appropriate elastic modulus and recovery properties, allowing the suction cup to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining a flat profile when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining the thermoplastic elastomer actuating element with a rigid body housing. This composite structure allows the flexible actuating portion to conform to uneven surfaces while the rigid housing maintains overall structural integrity and flat profile, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and shape.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the elastically deformable actuating element is made of material with significantly greater elasticity than the sealing material, then the restoring forces are increased and the sealing material can be made more compliant for better adaptation to uneven surfaces, but manufacturing costs increase due to multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuating element and sealing material into a single integrated component made of thermoplastic elastomer. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate parts that would require assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the elastic properties needed for adhesion to uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a thermoplastic elastomer with specific elasticity characteristics that provides sufficient restoring force while maintaining compliance. The actuating element's material is selected to have appropriate elastic modulus and recovery properties, allowing the suction cup to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining a flat profile when not in use.
3Reliability
If a curved spring is used that deforms from concave to convex state, then vacuum can be generated, but the suction cup cannot be completely flat and consists of several parts increasing manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuating element and sealing material into a single integrated component made of thermoplastic elastomer. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate parts that would require assembly, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the elastic properties needed for adhesion to uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a thermoplastic elastomer with specific elasticity characteristics that provides sufficient restoring force while maintaining compliance. The actuating element's material is selected to have appropriate elastic modulus and recovery properties, allowing the suction cup to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining a flat profile when not in use.
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 suction cup achieves strong and long-lasting adhesion on non-smooth surfaces without the need for additional components, maintaining a flat profile and aesthetically appealing appearance while reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable actuating part for pressing against the substrate and utilizes an elastic re-deformation of the actuating part to generate a vacuum between the suction cup and the substrate
Implementation Method 2
creating a vacuum between the suction cup and the substrate, which then presses the suction cup firmly against the substrate
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~9
Figure 10~13
AI summary
The invention relates to a suction cup (10) for detachable fastening to a substrate (12), the suction cup (10) comprising a supple sealing material (26) for applying to the substrate (12) and an elastically deformable actuating part for pressing against the substrate (12), and uses elastic recovery of the actuating part to produce a vacuum between the suction cup (10) and the substrate (12). The aim of the invention is to be able to produce the suction cup (10) very inexpensively, with an aesthetically pleasing appearance, a very low thickness, and good adhesion even on less than smooth substrates. To this end, the actuating part comprises a snap-action disk (20), the front or visible side (22) thereof facing away from the sealing material (26) being at least partially convexly domed in a stable idle state, and the snap-action disk being at least partially deformable into a metastable or unstable deformation state in which the front or visible side (22) is at least partially concavely domed, by means of a compressive force exerted on the front or visible side (22), and automatically returning back to its original shape in the direction of the idle state when the compressive force is released.