Valve-actuated suction apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction apparatus with anchor members, such as suction cups and suction seal stabilizers, face issues with insufficient adherence force, complexity in design, and inadvertent dislodgement, particularly when attempting to vent or release the suction.
Innovation Solution
A valve-actuated suction apparatus with a non-porous resilient anchor member featuring a vent port and a movable plunger valve that slides between sealing and venting positions, ensuring secure attachment and controlled release through a coupling connection that prevents detachment of the movable member from the anchor member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction cup or suction seal stabilizer is used, then adherence to surfaces is achieved through differential pressure, but the adherence force may be insufficient or the device may be prone to inadvertent dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resilient anchor member that dynamically flexes between a domed configuration (for initial engagement) and a flattened configuration (for sealing). This dynamic behavior allows the member to adapt to surface variations while maintaining reliable adherence through controlled elastic deformation and rebound, resolving the contradiction between adherence reliability and adherence force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a vent port with a stopper that can be preliminarily positioned to control the venting timing. By pre-positioning the stopper to block the vent port during engagement, the system ensures proper sealing is established before suction is activated, preventing inadvertent dislodgement while maintaining adequate adherence force.
2Ease of operation
If the anchor member is made highly flexible to achieve self-sealing, then ease of operation is improved, but the elastic rebound forces become weak and insufficient to overcome gravitational forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the base seal member highly flexible for self-sealing, while the anchor member stem and other structural components remain rigid. This localized flexibility allows the seal to conform to surfaces and achieve self-sealing without compromising the overall structural integrity and elastic rebound force needed to overcome gravitational forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with a resilient base seal member made of elastomeric material combined with a rigid anchor member stem. This composite structure combines the self-sealing capability of flexible materials with the structural strength and rebound force of rigid materials, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and elastic rebound force.
3Ease of operation
If existing stoppers are used to vent the suction, then venting function is achieved, but design complexity increases and inadvertent dislodgement may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the venting function from a complex separate stopper mechanism and integrates it directly into the anchor member structure through a built-in vent port. The vent port is simply blocked by the resilient base seal member itself during engagement, eliminating the need for complex external stoppers and reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of venting control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the vent port function with the anchor member stem structure, and the sealing function with the base seal member. This integration eliminates separate venting components and simplifies the overall design, reducing device complexity while maintaining controlled venting capability through the natural flexing of the resilient base seal member.
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 robust adherence, prevents inadvertent dislodgement, and allows for controlled venting and quick release, enhancing the usability and reliability of suction apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient anchor member is flexed between a domed configuration in which the inner side is spaced from the reference surface and a flattened configuration in which the inner side seals against the reference surface
Implementation Method 2
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
Implementation Method 3
a movable member is slidably movable without rotation relative to the anchor member between a sealing position wherein the movable member blocks the vent port and a venting position wherein the movable member unblocks the vent port
Data Source
AI summary
A 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. The vent port includes a free end tubule formed on a free end of the anchor member stem. A movable member is slidably movable without rotation relative to the anchor member between a sealing position wherein the movable member blocks the vent port and a venting position wherein the movable member unblocks the vent port. The movable member includes a plunger valve that blocks the vent port by slidably engaging the free end tubule with an interference fit when the movable member is in its sealing position. A coupling connection between the movable member and the anchor member prevents detachment of the movable member from the anchor member.