Quick-release anchoring apparatus with stem-mounted air valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring apparatuses with suction cups and suction seal stabilizers face challenges in efficiently releasing from surfaces without manual intervention, often requiring brute force or specific movements, and suffer from inadequate suction forces or resistance during lateral movement.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release anchoring apparatus with a flexible base seal member and a vent port mechanism, featuring a rigid anchor member stem and a movable auxiliary component that allows for airtight sealing and controlled venting, enabling seamless attachment and detachment by sliding the auxiliary component between closed and open positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical stopper is used to manually actuate the vent port, then suction can be maintained and released, but the operation requires manual intervention and cannot be actuated except by a specific movement pattern involving noticeable distance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the lateral movement of the stabilizer itself to automatically actuate the vent port mechanism. When the stabilizer moves laterally, the auxiliary component shifts relative to the anchor member, causing the vent port to open or close without requiring separate manual operation. This self-service mechanism converts the stabilizer's natural movement into the venting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent port mechanism transitions from a static manual stopper to a dynamic system where the auxiliary component moves relative to the anchor member based on the stabilizer's position. The valve seat and valve are positioned such that lateral movement automatically changes the vent port state from closed to open or vice versa, making the system adaptive to operational conditions.
2Ease of operation
If the base seal member is highly flexible with little or no concavity, then self-sealing occurs without noticeable pushing force, but elastic rebound forces are weak and insufficient to overcome gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using the weight of the stabilizer and any carried items to initially flatten the base seal member against the reference surface upon placement. This preliminary compression creates the initial seal and vacuum condition without requiring additional user force, enabling automatic self-sealing when the stabilizer is set down.
Solution Approach 2:
The gravitational force acting on the stabilizer and its load serves as a counterbalancing force that complements the weak elastic rebound. The weight helps maintain the flattened seal configuration, while the elastic rebound provides the necessary suction force to resist lateral movement and tipping, creating a balanced system where both forces work together.
3Ease of operation
If the vent port is opened to release suction for easy detachment, then the anchoring apparatus can be removed, but lateral movement and stability are compromised during use
Solution Approach 1:
The vent port system dynamically transitions between closed and open states based on the stabilizer's position. During normal use when the stabilizer is upright, the auxiliary component maintains engagement with the valve seat, keeping the vent port closed and suction active for stability. When lateral movement or tipping occurs, the relative position changes automatically open the vent port to reduce suction and allow controlled release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback through the mechanical linkage between the stabilizer position and the vent port actuation. The auxiliary component's position relative to the anchor member serves as a feedback mechanism that senses lateral movement or tipping and responds by opening the vent port, creating a self-regulating system that maintains stability during normal use and enables easy release when needed.
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
Facilitates secure and stealthy attachment to surfaces with adjustable suction force, allowing easy release without noticeable resistance, and maintains stability under side loads or impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the base seal member has a natural tendency to return to its initial dome shape. As this rebounding occurs, the volumetric cavity that lies inside the peripheral rim between the base seal member's lower side and the reference surface begins to enlarge. This in turn causes the air pressure in the volumetric cavity to proportionately decrease in accordance with Boyle's Law.
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.
Implementation Method 3
A vent port extends through the anchor member. The vent port has a first end disposed on the seal member second side in fluid communication with the controlled pressure zone and a second end disposed on the stem free end in fluid communication with an area of ambient pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick-release anchoring apparatus includes an anchor member having a flexible base seal member and a stem with a vent port extending therethrough. A valve seat is defined by an annular stem landing zone with the vent port opening therein. A first auxiliary component is fixedly mounted to the anchor member. A second auxiliary component is slidably mounted to the first auxiliary component. The second auxiliary component defines a valve that sealably engages the valve seat according to the position of the second auxiliary component. The valve is configured to sealably engage the valve seat using a valve/valve seat construction wherein:(1) the valve is positionable to engage the stem landing zone in surrounding concentric relationship with the vent port second end; or(2) the valve is positionable to insert into the vent port second end until it engages the vent port at an intermediate location.