Suction Cup Vacuum Control With Check Valves for Air Loss Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Suction cup gripping systems using Venturi vacuum generators consume excessive compressed air and electrical energy when maintaining grip for extended periods, leading to high operational costs and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A suction cup gripping system with a control unit and check valves that manage compressed air supply to Venturi vacuum generators, maintaining negative pressure in suction cups only when needed, and using adjustment nozzles to minimize air loss, thereby reducing air consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is supplied continuously to the Venturi vacuum generator to maintain negative pressure in the suction cup, then the gripping force is maintained reliably, but the consumption of compressed air and electrical energy becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by controlling the venting valve to release negative pressure only when the suction cup is not in contact with the object. During gripping operation, the valve remains closed to maintain negative pressure. This periodic venting replaces continuous compressed air supply, reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable gripping force when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback through sensors that detect whether the suction cup is in contact with an object. This feedback signal controls the venting valve automatically - when contact is detected, the valve closes to maintain vacuum; when no contact is detected, the valve opens to release pressure. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable gripping force is maintained only when necessary, eliminating wasteful continuous operation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the Venturi vacuum generator operates continuously to maintain negative pressure, then the object can be held firmly for extended periods, but the operational cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The venting valve operates periodically based on actual gripping needs rather than continuously. The control system monitors contact status and activates the venting function only during non-gripping periods. This allows the system to maintain gripping capability for extended periods when needed while eliminating energy waste during transport or idle periods, significantly reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service through automatic control where the sensor-detected contact status directly controls the venting valve without continuous external intervention. The system automatically maintains negative pressure only when an object is being gripped and automatically releases it when the object is placed or removed, eliminating the need for continuous energy input while ensuring the object can be held firmly for the required duration.
3Reliability
If compressed air is supplied to the Venturi ejector throughout the gripping and moving duration, then the negative pressure is maintained inside the suction cup, but the compressed air consumption becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the continuous compressed air supply and replaces it with on-demand supply controlled by the venting valve. The valve is closed during gripping to maintain negative pressure and opened during non-gripping periods to allow atmospheric pressure to equalize. This extraction of unnecessary continuous supply eliminates compressed air loss while maintaining reliable negative pressure when needed for gripping and moving objects.
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
Significantly reduces compressed air and electrical energy consumption by up to 90% while ensuring reliable and safe gripping and moving of objects of varying sizes and weights.
Implementation Method 1
Venturi vacuum generators or ejectors that use compressed air and the Venturi principle to generate the vacuum
Implementation Method 2
a check valve in flow connection and interposed between the Venturi vacuum generator and the internal cavity and configured to prevent air from entering the internal cavity when the Venturi vacuum generator is not supplied with compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
A suction cup gripping system has suction cup gripping devices each provided with a gripping suction cup having an internal cavity, a Venturi vacuum generator connectable to a compressed air line and connected to the internal cavity to generate therein a partial vacuum, a release valve connected to the internal cavity and operable to connect the internal cavity to an external environment or the compressed air line to eliminate the partial vacuum in the internal cavity, and a check valve interposed between Venturi vacuum generator and internal cavity. The gripping system includes a valve system connected to the Venturi vacuum generators and the release valves, a manifold connected to the internal cavities, a vacuum sensor connected to the manifold, and a control unit configured to control the valve system.