Suction Pad Release Bar for Secure Hold and Easy Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction devices often require activation mechanisms to create a vacuum, are not easily removable, and may not securely hold items like food or kitchen devices temporarily without risking easy dislodgment.
Innovation Solution
A suction device with a planar contact surface, a release bar, and an article holder that creates a partial vacuum without activation, allowing easy attachment and secure holding, and a flexible skirt to obscure the release mechanism from children while enabling adult access for removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a suction device uses a traditional activation mechanism to create vacuum, then the suction force is strong, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device utilizes the self-weight of the article holder and article to automatically create and maintain the vacuum seal against the support surface, eliminating the need for external activation mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the gravitational force on the article to press the contact surface against the support surface, thereby creating the suction effect without additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the activation mechanism entirely from the suction device, extracting only the essential suction function. By eliminating pumps, valves, and control systems, the device achieves simple operation while maintaining effective suction through the passive seal created by the article's weight.
2Strength
If a suction device is designed to be securely held, then the holding strength is high, but the ease of removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device transitions from a static seal to a dynamic release mechanism. The flexible skirt can be passively lifted by a child's hand weight, dynamically changing the seal state from closed (holding) to open (release). This allows the device to maintain strong holding during normal use while enabling easy removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible skirt acts as a thin film that can deform under small forces (such as a child's hand weight) to break the vacuum seal. This flexible component provides both the sealing function for strong holding and the release function for easy removal, resolving the contradiction between holding strength and ease of removal.
3Reliability
If a suction device is made child-resistant, then the safety increases, but the ease of operation for adults decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible skirt provides different operational characteristics at different locations and force levels. At low forces (child's hand weight), it deforms easily to release the seal. At normal operating forces (adult handling), it maintains the seal integrity. This local differentiation of response characteristics allows child resistance while maintaining adult operability.
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 device securely holds items on various surfaces without activation, is easily removable, and prevents children from dislodging it, ensuring safe and convenient use.
Implementation Method 1
The suction pad has an at least substantially planar contact surface configured to be placed on a support surface and create a partial vacuum between the contact surface and the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A suction device includes a suction pad, an article holder connected with the suction pad, and a release bar on the suction pad. The suction pad has an at least substantially planar contact surface configured to be adhered to a support surface. The article holder connects with the suction pad. The release bar has a first end or first edge disposed at or adjacent to a peripheral edge of the suction pad. The release bar and the suction pad are configured such that movement of the suction pad at or adjacent to the first end of first edge of the release bar with respect to the suction surface breaks a seal between the support surface and the contact surface.