Vacuum Attachment Device With Integrated Functional Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for non-positive attachment to surfaces, such as suction cups, often require additional apparatus for generating negative pressure and may not provide a compact or easily accessible functional space, limiting their functionality and usability, especially on smooth surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with a geometrically convex vacuum space and a separate functional space, where the vacuum space is surrounded by a sealing lip and a restoring element that generates relative negative pressure without the need for external devices, allowing for secure attachment and protected access to the functional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum space is used for fastening to smooth surfaces, then attachment is achieved, but additional apparatus for generating negative pressure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip serves dual functions: it seals the vacuum space and acts as a restoring element through its elastic memory to generate negative pressure. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate vacuum generation apparatus, resolving the contradiction between reliable attachment and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the vacuum space, providing elastic restoration to generate negative pressure, and enabling attachment to smooth surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining attachment reliability
2Force
If the vacuum space is compressed to generate negative pressure, then attachment force is generated, but the functional space becomes less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a vacuum space for generating attachment force and a separate functional space for operational access. The sealing lip acts as a divider that separates these two spaces while maintaining the elastic restoration mechanism, allowing both strong attachment and easy functional access
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip serves as an intermediary element that transmits the elastic restoration force to generate negative pressure in the vacuum space without compromising the accessibility of the functional space. It mediates between the attachment requirement and the operational access requirement
3Reliability
If a sealing lip is used to delimit the vacuum space, then sealing is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is designed to perform multiple functions within a compact form: sealing the vacuum space, providing elastic restoration to generate negative pressure, and defining the device boundary. This multi-functionality achieves reliable sealing without significantly increasing device volume
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing lip is implemented as a flexible elastic element that provides effective sealing with minimal material volume. Its flexibility allows it to conform to surfaces and generate restoration force without requiring a large structural footprint, thus maintaining compact device dimensions
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 solution provides a compact and functional fastening system that securely attaches objects to smooth surfaces without additional pressure generation equipment, ensuring reliable sealing and easy access to the functional space, enhancing usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
having at least one restoring element which is intended to generate a relative negative pressure in the negative pressure chamber in a fastening state
Implementation Method 2
with at least one sealing lip, which at least partially delimits the vacuum space and is intended to abutting against the surface in the fastening state
Implementation Method 3
which in turn leads to an external positive pressure on the suction cup, which thereby creates a frictional connection with the surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening device for fastening an object (12a; 12b; 12c; 12d; 12e; 12f) to a surface (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f), with at least one vacuum chamber (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f) which is designed to adjoin the surface (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f) in a fastening state, with at least one sealing lip (18a; 18b; 18c; 18d; 18e; 18f) which at least partially delimits the vacuum chamber (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 18f) and is designed to seal against the surface in the fastening state. (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f) and with at least one return element (20a, 20a'; 20b, 20b'; 20c, 20c'; 20d; 20e, 20e', 46e, 46e'; 20f, 20f', 46f, 46f') which is intended to generate a relative vacuum in a fixed state in the vacuum chamber (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f).It is proposed that the fastening device shall have at least one functional space (22a; 22b; 22c; 22d; 22e; 22f) separate from the vacuum space (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f), which is at least partially surrounded by the vacuum space (16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f) and is designed to be adjacent to the surface (14a; 14b; 14c; 14d; 14e; 14f) in a fastening state.