Configurable Suction Adhesive Surface for Residue-Free Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adhering devices to surfaces, such as nails, screws, glue, and suction cups, often damage the surface, are too permanent, or unsuitable for various surfaces, and struggle with controlling adhesion effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device using suction for adhesion, with a pocket recessed into the contact surface and a flexible membrane that actively removes air to create a low-pressure environment, aided by one-way valves to maintain pressure and prevent air from re-entering, allowing the device to adapt to different surface shapes and sizes.
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 replaces chemical adhesion (adhesive substances) with mechanical adhesion (suction cups). The suction cups create a vacuum seal against the surface, providing controllable adhesion through pressure differential rather than chemical bonding. This mechanical approach allows precise control of adhesion strength and leaves no residue, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable adhesion control and residue-free attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adjustable suction force through controllable vacuum pressure to achieve variable adhesion strength. By changing the pressure parameter within the suction cups, the system can adapt adhesion levels to different surfaces and applications, providing reliable control while maintaining a clean, residue-free interface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If suction cups are used for non-destructive connection, then the surface is not damaged, but the suction cups can get easily disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple suction cups into a unified array system that distributes attachment forces across many contact points. This combination creates a collectively stable connection that is more reliable than individual suction cups while maintaining non-destructive attachment. The distributed architecture prevents easy disconnection through localized failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible membranes as the contact surface of the suction cups. These flexible shells conform to the target surface geometry, enhancing the seal quality and suction effectiveness. The flexibility allows adaptation to curved or irregular surfaces while maintaining reliable connection, and the membrane structure integrates seamlessly with the rigid support elements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid device structure is used, then the device provides structural stability, but it cannot adapt to various surface shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into a rigid support structure and separate flexible suction cup elements. The rigid backbone provides structural stability and houses electronic components, while the distributed flexible suction cups provide surface adaptation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function independently, resolving the contradiction between structural rigidity and surface conformability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility through the flexible membranes of the suction cups, which can deform and adapt to various surface geometries while the rigid support structure maintains overall device integrity. This dynamic adaptation capability allows the device to maintain stable attachment across diverse surfaces without compromising structural stability.
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 provides controlled, non-destructive, and temporary adhesion suitable for a variety of surfaces, avoiding damage and residue, and allows for flexible, large-area devices like self-adhering ultrasonic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrating flexible membrane is used to push the air out of the pocket
Implementation Method 2
a relatively low pressure in the pocket can be more easily built up and maintained
Implementation Method 3
the adhesion force may be provided by suction
Data Source
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).