Suction Cup Dent Visual Suction Loss Indicator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Suction cups used for holding heavy objects face uncertainty regarding their holding function due to potential air ingress, which can reduce suction force, making it difficult to determine when the suction cup's grip is compromised.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup with an elastic contact surface that changes shape when suction power decreases, indicated by a dent formation, and optionally features an optical display or sensor to alert when suction power falls below a certain threshold, ensuring safety without damaging the contact surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the suction cup is used to hold heavy objects, then the holding force increases, but the reliability of the holding function decreases due to potential air ingress and suction force reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dent in the contact surface during manufacturing, which serves as a pre-prepared visual indicator. This preliminary action allows the user to monitor suction cup status without needing additional sensors or complex indication systems, resolving the contradiction by providing simple reliability monitoring that works alongside heavy object holding.
2Reliability
If a display or sensor is added to indicate suction power, then the reliability of the holding function improves, but the contact surface must be broken through which harms it
Solution Approach 1:
The dent is created during manufacturing before the suction cup is put into service. This preliminary formation of the indentation area allows the contact surface to remain intact during use while still providing visual indication functionality, thus improving reliability without causing harm to the contact surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of breaking through the contact surface to install sensors or displays, the patent uses the visual change in the dent's appearance as a copy or indicator of the internal suction status. The dent serves as an external visible representation of the internal vacuum state, avoiding direct interference with the contact surface integrity.
3Loss of information
If the material thickness is reduced to create a dent, then the visual indication of suction power improves, but the strength of the suction cup decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dent only in a specific limited area of the contact surface rather than reducing the thickness of the entire suction cup. This localized modification provides visual indication functionality while preserving the overall structural strength and integrity of the suction cup body.
Solution Approach 2:
The dent is created with a depth and dimensions that are sufficient to provide clear visual indication but not so deep or large as to compromise the overall strength. This partial action approach achieves the necessary indication functionality while maintaining adequate structural integrity for heavy object holding.
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
Provides a reliable and safe holding mechanism by visually or electronically indicating reduced suction force, preventing accidents and maintaining the contact surface integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a contact surface (12) made of elastic material
Data Source
AI summary
The suction cup has a contact surface made of flexible material, where a limited area of the contact surface has reduced material thickness. The limited area has an optical indicator and an electrically or mechanically operating sensor.