Suction Pad Radial Expansion for Fruit Surface Unevenness

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional suction pads struggle to effectively hold objects that do not return sufficient reaction force, such as tree fruits, due to limited elastic deformation and absorption of surface unevenness, leading to gaps and incomplete suction.

Innovation Solution

A suction pad design featuring a pad main body made from an elastically deformable member with a hollow and a suction hole, where the tip end portion is thinner and more easily deformable than the base end, allowing for enhanced absorption of uneven surfaces and improved suction force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the pad main body is pressed against the object to increase suction force, then the suction force is improved, but the pad main body cannot sufficiently absorb large unevenness on the object surface, leading to gaps and failed suction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction forceVSAvoidsurface unevenness absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The suction pad employs different material properties at different locations: the tip end portion uses a soft, highly elastically deformable material to conform to surface unevenness, while the base end portion uses a harder material to maintain structural integrity and generate suction force. This local differentiation allows the pad to simultaneously absorb surface irregularities and apply sufficient suction pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the pad main body by using materials with different Shore hardness values at different portions. The tip end has lower hardness for better deformation and surface conformity, while the base end has higher hardness for structural support. This parameter gradient enables the pad to adapt to uneven surfaces while maintaining effective suction force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If the pad main body is made softer to increase elastic deformation, then the absorption of surface unevenness is improved, but the suction force is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelastic deformationVSAvoidsuction force

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The suction pad employs different material properties at different locations: the tip end portion uses a soft, highly elastically deformable material to conform to surface unevenness, while the base end portion uses a harder material to maintain structural integrity and generate suction force. This local differentiation allows the pad to simultaneously absorb surface irregularities and apply sufficient suction pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite construction with materials of different hardness levels within the same pad structure. The tip end portion is made from softer material (e.g., Shore A 40-60) while the base end portion uses harder material (e.g., Shore A 70-90), creating a composite structure that combines the benefits of both soft and hard materials for optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Force

If the opening diameter of the suction hole is increased to improve suction, then the suction force is improved, but the pad main body cannot maintain sufficient contact with the object surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction forceVSAvoidcontact area

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The suction pad employs different material properties at different locations: the tip end portion uses a soft, highly elastically deformable material to conform to surface unevenness, while the base end portion uses a harder material to maintain structural integrity and generate suction force. This local differentiation allows the pad to simultaneously absorb surface irregularities and apply sufficient suction pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 suction pad achieves effective suction and holding of objects with large unevenness by increasing suction force through radial expansion of the pad main body, ensuring reliable contact and immovable holding of the object.

Implementation Method 1

the pad main body is made from an elastically deformable member... unevenness on a surface of a workpiece t is absorbed by elastic deformation of the pad main body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a suction pad that vacuum-sucks the object... a hollow that is formed inside the pad main body... a suction hole that communicates with the hollow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS20230125302A1Suction pad

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD

AI summary

A suction pad configured to suck and hold a fruit includes a pad main body made from an elastically deformable member and having a held base end portion; a hollow formed inside the pad main body so as to extend from a base end side to a tip end side; and a hole configured to communicate with the hollow and being open to a tip end portion of the pad main body, and an opening diameter of the suction hole is smaller than an inner diameter of the hollow.