Suction Cup Ribs and Filter Chamber Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robotic arm suction devices face issues with filter wear-down, structural collapse, and adhesion problems due to the suction effect, leading to operational inefficiencies and frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A suction device design featuring a fitting with a filter chamber to protect the filter from damage, and ribs on the suction cup to enhance structural support and prevent self-adhesion, allowing for improved longevity and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the suction cup is increased to strengthen it, then the structural strength is improved, but the suction cup becomes too stiff and difficult to pick up certain types of packages
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup is divided into multiple structural components: a bellows portion with ribs for strength, a lip portion for flexibility and sealing, and a transition portion connecting them. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties - the bellows provides structural strength through ribs, while the lip maintains flexibility for adapting to different package surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the suction cup have different structural properties. The bellows portion has ribs extending along its length for structural support, the transition portion has a gradual change in wall thickness for stress distribution, and the lip portion has reduced thickness for flexibility and conformability to various package surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is positioned within the suction cup to trap particles, then particle filtration is improved, but the filter wears down easily and cracks due to suction cup movement and contact with packages
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is extracted from the suction cup cavity and repositioned within a dedicated filter holder assembly. This separates the filter from the moving suction cup structure, providing a stable mounting environment that protects the filter from mechanical damage while maintaining its particle filtration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter holder assembly includes a protective structure that is pre-configured to shield the filter before the suction operation begins. The holder positioning and structural design preemptively protect the filter from contact with packages and excessive movement during operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ribs are added to strengthen the suction cup against collapse, then structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction cup uses a bellows structure with ribs that provide structural stability while maintaining flexibility. The ribbed design creates a collapsible yet stable form that can adapt to different package shapes without requiring complex rigid support structures.
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 design extends the lifespan of the suction device by protecting the filter and preventing structural collapse, while maintaining flexibility for various package types and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
The suction cups may create a suction effect (e.g., using a vacuum) on the packages such that the packages move with the robotic arm.
Implementation Method 2
the filter catches particles dislodged from the packages by the suction effect
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a bellows and a lip. The bellows defines an interior cavity. The lip is coupled to the bellows such that the lip is concentric with the bellows. The lip extends away from the bellows in a radial direction and in a vertical direction such that the lip forms a cup shape. The bellows and the lip define a passage from the lip through the interior cavity. The lip includes a rib on an outer surface of the lip such that the rib extends along the outer surface of the lip and away from the bellows in the radial direction and in the vertical direction.