Configurable Suction Adhesive Pockets for Residue-Free Surface Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adhering devices to surfaces, such as nails, screws, glue, and suction cups, face issues like surface damage, permanence, and unsuitability for various surfaces, particularly in applications like medical diagnostics where controlled adhesion is needed.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing suction for adhesion, featuring recessed pockets with flexible membranes and one-way valves to actively control pressure, allowing for adjustable and non-destructive attachment to diverse surfaces, including curved ones, by actively removing air from the pockets using a vibrating membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive substances or tape are used to adhere a device, then the device can be attached to the surface, but the adhesive properties are difficult to control and may leave undesired residue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs suction-based adhesion through pockets that create negative pressure to attach the device to the surface. This pneumatic mechanism provides controllable adhesion without leaving residue, replacing the problematic adhesive substances and tape while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a controllable suction mechanism that can adjust the adhesion strength by changing the pressure parameters within the pockets. This allows dynamic control of attachment force and enables clean detachment without residue, addressing both adhesion control and residue prevention requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If suction cups are used for non-destructive connection, then the surface is not damaged, but the suction cups are typically not suitable for all surfaces and can get easily disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the contact surface into multiple discrete pockets, each capable of independent suction-based attachment. This segmentation allows the device to adapt to various surface geometries including curved surfaces, while the distributed pockets provide redundant attachment points that enhance overall connection stability and prevent easy disconnection.
3Device complexity
If a rigid device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to curved or irregular surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible contact surface that can deform to conform to curved or irregular target surfaces. This flexible shell maintains a relatively simple overall device structure while enabling adaptation to various surface geometries, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and surface conformity.
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 controlled, temporary, and non-destructive adhesion suitable for a wide range of surfaces, avoiding damage and residue, and enabling flexible devices to conform to various shapes, making it suitable for applications like ultrasonic medical diagnostic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a device for adhering by suction to a target surface
Implementation Method 2
a one way valve can be used to allow the air out of the pocket while preventing the air from flowing back into the pocket
Implementation Method 3
By providing a flexible contact surface and/or a flexible substrate the device may adapt its shape to a variety of target surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device (100) and method for adhering by suction to a target surface (200). The device has a substrate (20) with a contact surface (20a) for contacting the device (100) to the target surface (200). A plurality of pocket (10) are formed by respective pocket surfaces (10a) concavely extending into the contact surface (20a). The pockets (10) have an open side (10b) facing and being closed off by the target surface (200). A flexible membrane (15) forms at least part of the pocket surface (10a). An actuator (40) is configured to actuate the flexible membrane (15). A one-way valve (30) through the pocket surface (10a) is configured to direct a contents of the pocket (10) via the one-way valve (30) to an environment (300).