Patent Publication Number: US-2019186529-A1

Title: Suction apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a suction apparatus, and more particularly, to a suction apparatus configured to fix various objects to a suction subject surface such as a dashboard of an automobile, a tile, a desk, glass, etc., by a vacuum force. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, a suction apparatus fixes an object to a suction subject surface using a suction plate by a vacuum force. A suction plate of a conventional suction apparatus, as time goes on, loses a vacuum state to gradually lose suction force since an air inflows thereinto. Also, when the suction apparatus is not attached to a smooth surface but is attached to an uneven surface such as a dashboard of an automobile, an air inflows through a space formed by the uneven surface, and thus, the suction force is greatly decreased compared with a smooth surface. 
     In order to solve the above-described problem, Korean Patent No. 10-0852164 discloses a technology of coating silicon or urethane gel having a flexible adhesiveness along a periphery of a lower surface of the suction plate to prevent inflow of the air thereinto, thereby increasing the suction force. However, since the surface of the suction plate has a smooth inert surface having a low surface energy and has elasticity, the urethane gel is not easily attached to the suction plate. 
     In order to solve the above-described problem, Korean Patent No. 10-0891964 discloses a technology of filling an urethane adhesive material into a molding box, which is coated by Teflon, attaching the urethane adhesive material to a suction plate pretreated by a primer, etc., and thermosetting and molding in a hot dry chamber. However, the above-described technology includes highly complex processes, and thus, productivity is low and manufacturing cost is high. Also, when the urethane adhesive material attached under the suction plate is damaged by repetitive attachments and detachments, contacts with external objects, etc., or is polluted by dusts, oil, etc., the adhesiveness of the urethane adhesive material is greatly decreased, and thus, the adhesiveness of the suction plate is decreased. Also, since the urethane adhesive material is permanently attached to the suction plate by the thermosetting process, the entire suction apparatus should be replaced. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide a suction apparatus using an adhesive material to prevent decrease of suction force of a suction plate, and the adhesive material being easily replaceable in case of damage or pollution of the adhesive material. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, a suction apparatus includes a suction plate, a fixing shaft, a supporting plate, an adhesive member, and a housing. The suction plate is configured to adhere to a suction subject surface. The fixing shaft is configured to be fixed to a central portion of the suction plate, and is configured to upwardly transport the central portion of the suction plate to be separated from the suction subject surface to form a sealed space between the suction plate and the suction subject surface in a pressure lower than an atmosphere pressure. The supporting plate has a ring shape and prepared on a periphery of the suction plate, and is combined with the suction plate. The adhesive member has a ring shape, and includes an upper surface fixed to a lower surface of the supporting plate and a lower surface configured to adhere to the suction subject surface, to prevent inflow of an air toward the sealed space. The housing has a hole through the fixing shaft passes, and is disposed on the supporting plate. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the combined portion between the suction plate and the supporting plate may have an uneven structure configured to increase a contact area. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a periphery of the suction plate may have an uneven structure in an outer direction, and an inner surface periphery of the supporting plate has an uneven structure in an inner direction, and the uneven structure of the periphery of the suction plate may be interlocked with the uneven structure of the inner surface periphery of the supporting plate. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a periphery of the suction plate and an inner surface periphery of the supporting plate may be overlapped and combined with each other, and the periphery of the suction plate and the inner surface periphery of the supporting plate may have an interlocking uneven structure. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a thickness of the periphery of the suction plate may be smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the suction plate, and a thickness of the inner surface periphery of the supporting plate may be smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the supporting plate. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lower surface of the suction plate may have the same height as the lower surface of the adhesive member. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting plate may have a receiving recess disposed along a periphery of the lower surface thereof, and may be configured to receive the adhesive member. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction plate may include an elastic and flexible material, and the supporting plate may include a solid material. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive member may be fixed to the lower surface of the supporting plate. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction apparatus may further include a lifting member connected to the fixing shaft on the housing, and configured to lift the fixing shaft with respect to the housing. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a screw thread may be formed on a surface of the fixing shaft, and the lifting member may include a nut being screw combined with the fixing shaft and configured to lift the fixing shaft with respect to the housing by rotation. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lifting member may include a pressing block and a lever. The pressing block may be prepared with the fixing shaft through an axis in rotatable combination, and may be configured to press an upper surface of the housing or to release the pressure. The lever may be fixed to the pressing block, and may be configured to rotate the pressing block with respect to the axis to lift the fixing shaft with respect to the housing. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a recess may be formed on a lower surface of the housing to prepare a space, in which the suction plate is upwardly lifted. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the above-mentioned suction apparatus, a supporting plate of a solid material having a high surface energy is combined with a suction plate. Since a combined portion between the supporting plate and the suction plate has an uneven structure, an area, at which the supporting plate contacts the suction plate, is increased, and thus, the supporting plate may be securely combined with the suction plate. 
     Also, in the suction apparatus, an adhesive member is not fixed to the suction plate of a smooth elastic material having a low surface energy but is fixed to the supporting plate of the solid material having the high surface energy. Thus, the adhesive member may be securely fixed to the supporting plate. 
     In addition, in the suction apparatus, the adhesive member is fixed to a lower surface of the supporting plate using an adhesive film. When a surface of the adhesive member is damaged by repetitive attachments and detachments or by contacts with external objects, etc., the adhesive member may be easily replaced using the adhesive film. Since the adhesive member may only be selectively replaced, cost for replacing the adhesive member may be minimized. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a suction apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the suction apparatus of  FIG. 1  attached to a target board by a vacuum force. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a combination between a suction plate and a supporting plate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating another exemplary combination between a suction plate and a supporting plate of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are cross-sectional views illustrating a lifting member shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION 
     A suction apparatus according to the present invention includes a suction plate, a fixing shaft, a supporting plate, an adhesive member, and a housing. The suction plate is configured to adhere to a suction subject surface. The fixing shaft is configured to be fixed to a central portion of the suction plate, and is configured to upwardly transport the central portion of the suction plate to be separated from the suction subject surface to form a sealed space between the suction plate and the suction subject surface in a pressure lower than an atmosphere pressure. The supporting plate has a ring shape and prepared on a periphery of the suction plate, and is combined with the suction plate. The adhesive member has a ring shape, and includes an upper surface fixed to a lower surface of the supporting plate and a lower surface configured to adhere to the suction subject surface, to prevent inflow of an air toward the sealed space. The housing has a hole through the fixing shaft passes, and is disposed on the supporting plate. 
     Modes of the Invention 
     Hereinafter, a suction apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to enclosed drawings. It is important to understand that the present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. In explaining each drawing, like numerals are used for lime elements. In the enclosed drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept. Also, a second element discussed below could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept. 
     The terms used in the present invention is only used to explain particular embodiments, and it is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a suction apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the suction apparatus of  FIG. 1  attached to a target board by a vacuum force, and  FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a combination between a suction plate and a supporting plate of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the suction device  100  fixes an object (not shown) to a suction subject surface  10  by a suction force. Examples of the objects may include a mobile device such as a cellular phone, etc., a navigation system, etc., and examples of the suction subject surface  10  may include a dashboard of an automobile, a tile, a desk, glass, etc. 
     The suction apparatus  100  may include a suction plate  110 , a fixing shaft  120 , a supporting plate  130 , an adhesive member  140 , an adhesive film  150 , a housing  160 , and a lifting member  170 . 
     The suction plate  110  has a disk-like shape, and is attached to the suction target board  10 . The suction plate  110  may include a material having elasticity and flexibility. For example, the suction plate  110  may include rubber, urethane, elastomer, etc. 
     The fixing shaft  120  is fixed to a central portion of the suction plate  110 . For example, the fixing shaft  120  may be fixed to the suction plate  110  through an insert injection, through which the suction plate  110  including the fixing shaft  120  is injected. In another exemplary embodiment, the fixing shaft  120  may be fixed to the suction plate  110  through a bonding process or a thermal welding process. 
     Since the fixing shaft  120  is fixed to the central portion of the suction plate  110 , the fixing shaft  120  is upwardly transported and the central portion of the suction plate  110  may be separated from the suction subject surface  10 . Thus, a sealed space having a pressure lower than an atmosphere pressure may be formed between the suction plate  110  and the suction subject surface  10 . Therefore, the suction plate  110  may be sucked to the suction subject surface  10  by the pressure difference between the pressure of the sealed space and the atmosphere pressure. 
     The supporting plate  130  has a ring-like shape, and is prepared along a periphery of the suction plate  110  to be combined with the suction plate  110 . The supporting plate  130  includes a solid material having a high surface energy. For example, the supporting plate  130  may include a plastic resin or a metallic material. 
     Since the supporting plate  130  has the high surface energy, the supporting plate  130  may be securely combined with the suction plate  110 . For example, the supporting plate  130  and the suction plate  110  may be combined through a double injection process, a bonding process, or a thermal welding process. 
     In particular, the supporting plate  130  and the suction plate  110  may be partially overlapped, and the supporting plate  130  may be combined with the suction plate  110 . For example, an inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  may be disposed as an upper portion, and a periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  may be disposed as a lower portion, and thus, the supporting plate  130  may be partially overlapped with the suction plate  110 . In another exemplary embodiment, for example, the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  may be disposed as a lower portion, and the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  may be disposed as an upper portion, and thus, the supporting plate  130  may be partially overlapped with the suction plate  110 . 
     Here, a thickness of the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  may be smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the supporting plate  130 , and a thickness of the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  may be smaller than a thickness of a remaining portion of the suction plate  110 . Thus, a thickness of the overlapped portion between the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  and the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  may be similar or equal to the thickness of the remaining portion of the supporting plate  130  or the thickness of the remaining portion of the suction plate  110 . Thus, the overlapped thickness between the supporting plate  130  and the suction plate  110  may not be increased, and the thickness of the suction apparatus  100  may be minimized. 
     The combined portion between the supporting plate  130  and the suction plate  110  may have an uneven structure. In particular, overlapping surfaces of the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  and the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  may interlock with each other to form the uneven structure. Thus, an area at which the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  contacts with the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  is increased, and thus, the supporting plate  130  may be more securely combined with the suction plate  110 . 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating another exemplary combination between a suction plate and a supporting plate of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an uneven structure, at which a periphery  112  of a suction plate  110  interlocks along a periphery of an inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130 . 
     In particular, the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  has an uneven structure along a periphery thereof in an outer direction, and the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  has an uneven structure along a periphery thereof in an inner direction. The uneven structure of the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110  may interlock with the uneven structure of the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130 . 
     Therefore, an area, at which the inner surface periphery  132  of the supporting plate  130  contacts with the periphery  112  of the suction plate  110 , is increased, and thus, the supporting plate  130  may be more securely combined with the suction plate  110 . 
     Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, in order to increase the contact area between the supporting plate  130  and the suction plate  110 , the combined portion between the supporting plate  130  and the suction plate  110  may have various uneven shapes. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the supporting plate  130  may have a receiving recess  134  along a periphery of the lower surface thereof. For example, the receiving recess  134  may be formed along a center of the lower surface of the support plate  130 . 
     The adhesive member  140  has a ring shape, and is inserted into the receiving recess  134  of the supporting plate  130 . An upper surface of the adhesive member  140  is fixed to a lower surface of the supporting plate  130 , in particular, an upper surface of the receiving recess  134 , and a lower surface of the adhesive member  140  is fixed to the suction subject surface  10 . The adhesive member  140  may include silicon or urethane gel, and may have a sheet shape. 
     The adhesive member  140  adheres to the suction subject surface  10  to prevent inflow of an external air towards the sealed space of the suction plate  110 . Thus, the adhesive member  140  may maintain the vacuum force of the suction plate  110  in a long time. 
     Meanwhile, the adhesive member  140  is not fixed to the suction plate  110  including the smooth elastic material having the low surface energy but is fixed to the supporting plate  130  including the solid material having the high surface energy. Thus, the adhesive member  140  may be easily fixed to the supporting plate  130 , and the adhesive member  140  may securely maintain the fixed state to the supporting plate  130 . 
     Also, the lower surface of the adhesive member  140  may have the same height as the lower surface of the suction plate  110 . Thus, the suction plate  110  and the adhesive member  140  may be simultaneously and uniformly contacted with the suction subject surface  10 . Therefore, the suction plate  110  and the adhesive member  140  may not be contacted in time interval or in non-uniformity, and thus, air may be prevented from remaining between the suction plate  110  and the suction subject surface  10  or between the adhesive member  140  and the suction subject surface  10 . 
     Meanwhile, the lower surface of the supporting plate  130  may have the same height as the lower surface of the adhesive member  140  and the lower surface of the suction plate  110 . Thus, the suction plate  110 , the supporting plate  130 , and the adhesive member  140  may be simultaneously and uniformly contacted with the suction subject surface  10 . 
     The adhesive film  150  is disposed between the adhesive member  140  and the supporting plate  130 , and fixes the adhesive member  140  to the lower surface of the supporting plate  130 . 
     In particular, the adhesive film  150  includes a base film  152 , a first adhesive  154  coated on a lower surface of the base film  152 , and a second adhesive  156  coated on an upper surface of the base film  152 . 
     The first adhesive  154  is attached to the adhesive member  140 , and includes an adhesive material having a high surface energy. Examples of the first adhesive  154  may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. Since the first adhesive  154  has the high surface energy, the first adhesive  154  may securely fix the adhesive member  140 . 
     The second adhesive  156  is attached to the supporting plate  130 , and may include an adhesive material, which is easily detachable and attachable. Examples of the second adhesive  156  may include a silicon adhesive, an acrylic based adhesive, etc. Since the supporting plate  130  has the high surface energy, the second adhesive  156  may be securely fixed to the supporting plate  130 . Also, when the surface of the adhesive member  140  is damaged by repetitively attachments and detachments, or contacts with external objects, etc., the second adhesive  156  of the adhesive film  150  may be easily detached from the supporting plate  130 . Thus, the adhesive member  140  may be easily replaced. 
     Also, although the adhesive member  140  is damaged, the suction apparatus  100  may not be entirely replaced but only the adhesive member  140  may be selectively replaced, and thus, maintenance cost of the suction apparatus  100  may be minimized. 
     The housing  160  is prepared to cover the suction plate  110  and the supporting plate  130 . The housing  160  has a hole  162 , through which the fixing shaft  162  passes. The housing  160  has a recess  164  on a center of a lower surface thereof. The recess  164  prepares a space in which the suction plate  100  is transported in the upper direction. Thus, a size of the recess  164  is similar or equal to a size of the suction plate  110 . 
     The housing  160  makes contact with the upper surface of the supporting plate  130  through the recess  164  formed on the lower surface of the housing  160 . When the lifting member  170  upwardly lifts the fixing shaft  120 , the housing  160  presses the supporting plate  130  by a force of the lifting member  170  pressing the housing  160 . Since the supporting plate  130  is pressed, the adhesive member  140  may securely maintain a sealed state between the adhesive member  140  and the suction subject surface  10 . Therefore, inflow of the external air toward the sealed space of the suction plate  110  may be securely prevented. 
     The lifting member  170  is connected to the fixing shaft  120  in an upper portion of the housing  160 , and lifts the fixing shaft  120  with respect to the housing  160 . When the lifting member  170  presses the upper surface of the housing  160  and upwardly lifting the fixing shaft  120 , the central portion of the suction plate  110  is separated from the suction subject surface  10  to form the sealed space between the suction plate  110  and the suction subject surface  10 . 
     While the suction plate  110  adheres to the suction subject surface  10 , the lifting member  170  upwardly lifts the fixing axis  120  with respect to the housing  160 , and thus, the suction plate  110  sucks the suction subject surface  10  by the vacuum force. Here, a repulsive force, which is formed by the force of the lifting member  170  upwardly lifting the fixing shaft  120 , is applied to the housing  160 , and thus, the lifting member  170  presses the housing  160 . The housing  160  presses the supporting plate  130  by the force of the lifting member  170  pressing the housing  160 , and the supporting plate  130  presses the adhesive member  140 , and thus, the adhesive member  140  may be more securely adhered to the suction subject surface  10 . 
     While the suction plate  110  sucks the suction subject surface  10  by the vacuum force, the lifting member  170  downwardly lifts the fixing shaft  120  with respect to the housing  160 , and thus, the vacuum force of the suction plate  110  may be released. 
     The lifting member  170  may have various structures. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are cross-sectional views illustrating a lifting member shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a screw thread may be formed on a surface of the fixing shaft  120 , and the lifting member  170  may be a nut  174  combined with the fixing shaft  120 . As the nut  174  rotates, the fixing shaft  120  may be lifted with respect to the housing  160 . 
     In particular, the nut  174  rotates the combined nut  174  in one direction and contacts the housing  160 , and then, the nut  174  additionally rotates in the one direction, and thus, the fixing shaft  120  is upwardly lifted with respect to the housing  160  by the rotational force of the nut  174 . Also, when the nut  174  rotates in an opposite direction opposite to the one direction, the fixing shaft  120  is downwardly lifted with respect to the housing  160  by the rotational force of the nut  174 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the lifting member  170  may include a lever  174  and a pressing block  176 , and the lever  174  may rotates with respect to an axis  178  prepared in the fixing shaft  120 , and thus, the fixing shaft  120  may be lifted. 
     In particular, the pressing block  176  is rotatable with the fixing shaft  120  through the axis  178 , and presses the upper surface of the housing  160  or releases the pressure. The lever  174  is fixed to the pressing block  176 , and rotates the pressing block  176  with respect to the axis  178 . When the lever  174  rotates in the one direction with respect to the axis  178 , the pressing block  176  presses the upper surface of the housing  160 , and the fixing shaft  120  connected to the pressing block  176  through the axis  178  is upwardly lifted with respect to the housing  160 . Also, when the lever  174  rotates in the opposite direction opposite to the one direction with respect to the axis  178 , the pressing block  176  releases the pressure applied to the upper surface of the housing  160 , and the fixing shaft  120  connected to the pressing block  176  through the axis  178  is downwardly lifted with respect to the housing  160 . 
     As described above, the fixing axis  120  may be securely lifted using the lifting member  170 . 
     Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the suction apparatus  100  may include a fixing member configured to fix the subject. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     According to the suction apparatus of the present invention, the supporting plate is securely combined with the suction plate, and the adhesive member is not fixed to the suction plate having the smooth and elastic material having the lower surface energy but is fixed to the supporting plate of the solid material having the high surface energy. Thus, the supporting plate may be securely combined with the suction plate. 
     Also, in the suction apparatus, since the adhesive member is fixed to the lower surface of the supporting plate using the adhesive film, the adhesive member may be selectively replaced. Thus, the cost for replacing the adhesive member may be minimized. 
     In addition, since the supporting plate and the suction plate may be combined with each other through the double injection, the bonding, and the thermal welding processes, and the adhesive member may be fixed to the supporting plate using the adhesive film, the manufacturing cost of the suction apparatus may be decreased, and productivity of the processes for manufacturing the suction apparatus may be improved. 
     The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. The embodiments are, however, provided as examples only used for a better understanding of the present invention. It would be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.