Vacuum Suction Cup Assembly With Isolated Vibration Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction cup vibrators suffer from reduced vibration transmission efficiency, shortened lifespan, and loss of suction pressure due to vibration absorption by the skirt material, leading to early release and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A portable vacuum suction cup vibrator design that isolates vibration forces from the suction cup and skirt using shock absorber brackets and pads, allowing for increased vibration transmission and maintaining suction pressure, thereby extending the device's lifespan and grip strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the skirt material is used to transmit vibration forces, then the vibrator can be attached to the container, but the vibration forces are absorbed by the skirt material resulting in loss of transmission efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transmission efficiencyVSAvoidvibration force loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the attachment function from the vibration transmission function. The suction cup assembly with skirt handles attachment, while separate rigid vibration transmission elements (vibration transmission blocks or plate) handle force transmission. This segmentation prevents the skirt from absorbing vibration forces while maintaining attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid vibration transmission blocks or plate are introduced as intermediary elements between the vibrator and the container. These intermediaries directly transmit vibration forces to the container without relying on the flexible skirt material, thereby eliminating vibration force absorption and improving transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the skirt absorbs vibrations during actuation, then the vibrator can be mounted on the container, but the usable life of the skirt decreases due to additional wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskirt usable lifeVSAvoidvibration-induced wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the functional responsibilities: the skirt is solely responsible for creating the suction seal and attachment, while separate rigid vibration transmission elements handle vibration forces. This segmentation protects the skirt from vibration-induced wear and extends its usable life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful effect of vibration forces into a beneficial separation of functions. By introducing dedicated vibration transmission elements, the skirt is protected from wear while the vibration forces are effectively transmitted, turning a harmful interaction into a protective design feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If vibrations are transmitted through the skirt, then the vibrator can be attached to the container, but suction pressure is lost causing the device to lose grip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip strengthVSAvoidsuction pressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the attachment and vibration transmission functions. The skirt maintains suction pressure for attachment, while separate rigid elements transmit vibration forces. This prevents vibration forces from compromising the suction seal and maintains grip strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rigid vibration transmission blocks or plate act as intermediaries that transmit vibration forces directly to the container without passing through the suction cup seal. This intermediary path prevents suction pressure loss while maintaining effective vibration transmission and grip strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 increases vibration force transmission by 10-20% and ensures a better seal, preventing premature wear and failure, thus enhancing the device's efficiency and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

isolates vibration forces from the suction cup and skirt using shock absorber brackets and pads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 2

maintaining suction pressure, thereby extending the device's lifespan and grip strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11098749B2Vacuum suction cup and vibrator

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 VIBCO INC

AI summary

A vacuum suction cup assembly, including a vacuum cup, a vibration assembly, and a vibration shock absorber. The vacuum cup includes a skirt and is configured to be pressurized when placed against a surface to retain the vacuum cup against the surface in any orientation. The vibration assembly includes a vibrator; a vibration transfer plate on which the vibrator is mounted; and at least one vibration transfer blocks disposed on an opposite face of the vibration transfer plate from the vibrator, wherein the at least one vibration transfer blocks is configured and arranged to transmit a majority of the vibration forces from the vibrator to the surface. The vibration shock absorber is disposed between the vibration assembly and the vacuum cup.