Twist-Lock Suction Valve for Secure Surface Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction apparatuses with anchor members, such as suction cups and suction seal stabilizers, face issues with insufficient adherence force, complexity in venting mechanisms, and inadvertent dislodgement, particularly when used on horizontal or vertical surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A lockable valve-actuated suction apparatus featuring a non-porous resilient anchor member with a movable member that can slide between sealing and venting positions, and a twist-to-lock coupling connection to secure and release the apparatus from a surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction cup or suction seal stabilizer is used, then adherence to surfaces is achieved, but the adherence force may be insufficient or the device may be inadvertently dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-flattening the anchor member before use and incorporating a lockable valve that is预先 set to maintain the vacuum state. The anchor member is pre-configured with a reservoir and vent port system that prepares the structure for immediate secure attachment, eliminating the need for additional flattening force during application and preventing inadvertent dislodgement through the locked valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing a lockable valve system with a reservoir that maintains a reserve of vacuum pressure. The lockable mechanism provides a safety buffer against inadvertent dislodgement by requiring deliberate action to release the vacuum, while the reservoir structure cushions against pressure fluctuations that might otherwise compromise adherence.
2Ease of operation
If a vent port is included in the suction apparatus, then controlled venting is possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating a movable member that can slide between positions to control the vent port. This dynamic element allows the venting mechanism to transition between closed and open states through simple linear motion, providing controlled venting functionality without requiring complex mechanical linkages, springs, or multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible shells and thin films by employing a movable member made of flexible material that can deform to seal against the vent port opening. This flexible sealing approach eliminates the need for rigid gaskets, O-rings, or complex sealing mechanisms, simplifying the overall venting control system while maintaining effective sealing when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the anchor member is made highly flexible to achieve self-sealing, then ease of attachment improves, but the elastic rebound forces become weak and insufficient to overcome gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-flattening the anchor member during the attachment process and then locking it in that flattened state using the lockable valve mechanism. This eliminates the reliance on elastic rebound forces to maintain the sealed state, allowing the use of highly flexible materials that can conform to surfaces and achieve self-sealing without requiring strong rebound forces to counteract gravity.
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 robust adherence, prevents inadvertent dislodgement, and simplifies the venting process, ensuring secure attachment and easy release from various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
suction apparatus that operate by way of differential pressure are known
Implementation Method 2
the base seal member has a natural tendency to return to its initial dome shape. As this rebounding occurs, the volumetric cavity that lies inside the peripheral rim between the base seal member's lower side and the reference surface begins to enlarge
Implementation Method 3
the volumetric cavity that lies inside the peripheral rim between the base seal member's lower side and the reference surface begins to enlarge. This in turn causes the air pressure in the volumetric cavity to proportionally decrease in accordance with Boyle's Law
Data Source
AI summary
A lockable valve-actuated suction apparatus includes a resilient anchor member having an inner side arranged to seal against a reference surface, and an outer side. The anchor member includes a vent port extending between its inner and outer sides. A movable member is slidably movable between a sealing position wherein the vent port is blocked and a venting position wherein the vent port is unblocked. A twist-to-lock coupling connection is provided between the movable member and the anchor member. The twist-to-lock coupling connection is operable by rotating the movable member between a locking state and an unlocking state. The locking state of the twist-to-lock coupling connection is characterized by the movable member being locked against the slidable movement relative to the anchor member. The unlocking state of the twist-to-lock coupling connection is characterized by the movable member being unlocked against the slidable movement relative to the anchor member.