Patents can often be helpful in getting ideas when developing a solution, however, patents don't always turn into products. Researching previous successful solutions to issues related to the Kwadropus Suction cup can give further ideas on what designs worked. Listed below are several related products that have gained market success.
This product has a solenoid valve to control the pressure delivered to the suction cup. Within the metal casing, is a spring mechanism and a pneumatic actuator. The diameter of the suction cup ranges from. 4 centimeters to 12.5 centimeters, which is small and easy to implement on the kwadropus design. There are four options for the suction cup material: nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine rubber, and ethylene propylene rubber. The price of this product is 11.85 USD.
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 4
Price - 4
Material - 4
Pneumatics - 4
Avg: 3.8
This product utilizes a metal frame, which holds a spring mechanism that is controlled by a pneumatic actuator. The spring mechanism controls the pressure applied to the suction, allowing the cup to attach and dettach to surfaces with the help of a solenoid. The solenoid can pump air through the valve on the top of the product. The product is very small, being 3 centimeters in diameter and 6 centimeters in length. It is also very light, only being about 32 grams. Despite its small size and weight, it is fairly coslty, starting at 48 USD. The cup is made of silicone rubber.
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 5
Price - 3
Material - 4
Pneumatics - 4
Avg: 3.8
This product is used for lifting glass off windshields and is able to support 468 pounds of force. It has a plastic grip handle along with an air pump to exert pressure on the suction cup. It also has a release valve lever to release valve lever and a deflate handle to release the seal. Comparitively, this product is significantly large, being 8.2 inches in diameter. The bottom of the suction cup uses grooves to improve suction. It is expensive being 80 USD
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 3
Price - 2
Material - 3
Pneumatics - 3
Avg: 2.8
This product is a pore vacumm used to help remove blackheads and pimples from the face. It is an electronic vacumn that includes 3 suction leves. It uses a concave detatchable tip to create a vaccume seal around the part of the face it is applied. The build is completely rigid an made up of two components. The Vacuum wroks completely on one multi-functional button. The product is moderately expensive being 40 USD.
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 2
Price - 2
Material - 3
Pneumatics - 3
Avg: 2.2
This product is used for removal of glass from electronic devices. The cups are fairly small, being 2.25" in diameter. It has a finger handle, a release lever and an inner spring mechanism to control the pressuer exerted on the suction cup. The product is mnoderately priced at 20 USD. The suction cups have a rubber material.
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 4
Price - 4
Material - 4
Pneumatics - 2
Avg: 3.4
This product is a suction cup designed to life flat workplaces. It is made out of silicon and has a diameter of 22mm. It includes a 1/8 inch strokes connector which is M5 and G 1/8 inch. The nominal diameter is 3.1 mm. the hole in the connecter could provide use for pnuematic tubing or other connections. It is suitble for temperatures between -40 °C to 200 °C (-40 °F to 392 °F). The product is moderately priced at 20 USD.
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 4
Price - 4
Material - 4
Pneumatics - 4
Avg: 4
This product is used for removing dents on vehicles. the cup is fairly small, being 5 centimeters in diameter. The suction cups are made out of silicon. The body has a hand and a release button to control the pressure on the suction cup. The handle has a lever to adjust the holding angle of the product. The product does not have any pneumatic capabilities, but uses a spring mechanism for the suction cup pressure. The product is cheap at 1.38 USD.
Ratings (1-5)
Size - 4
Price - 4
Material - 3
Pneumatics - 2
Avg: 3.4
The flat silicone clear vacuum suction cup is the most suitable for our solution due to its small size, use of pneumatics to adjust pressure, and elastic material. Despite it being fairly pricey, this product is a good basis for our solution having the highest average score on our decision matrix. Additionally, strokes connect could be useful in finding way to attach components to the suction cup such as pneumatic tubing or an electronic apparatus. Though this product may be the strongest, it is not a complete solution. It will be helpful to combine the ideas from several of the products listed to develop the most succesful design.