# Design and Performance Evaluation of Biomimetic Suction Cups Inspired by the Abalone Muscular Foot

## TL;DR

This paper presents a new suction cup design inspired by abalone that improves adsorption efficiency for use in drones and robots.

## Contribution

A biomimetic suction cup design inspired by abalone with optimized geometry and validated through simulation and experiments.

## Key findings

- The biomimetic suction cup shows 498% higher maximum pressure and 498% higher frictional stress compared to traditional designs.
- The new design reduces maximum sliding distance by 38% and increases total circumferential deformation by 21%.
- Finite element analysis and experiments confirm the design's improved stress distribution and adsorption efficiency.

## Abstract

This study addresses the limited adsorption efficiency of traditional vacuum suction cups used in applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and robotic systems. Inspired by the adhesion mechanism of the abalone muscular foot, we propose a novel suction cup design. The design incorporates optimization of the groove geometry, groove distribution, and the positioning of the sealing ring. To assess the mechanical performance of these designs, finite element analysis (FEA) is employed. A prototype exhibiting the most promising simulation results is fabricated and subjected to tensile testing. The experimental results show strong agreement with the simulation outcomes, thereby validating the accuracy and reliability of the FEA. The biomimetic suction cup demonstrates superior adsorption performance compared to the baseline design. Specifically, the maximum von Mises stress is reduced by 5.9%, the maximum pressure is increased by 498%, and the maximum frictional stress rises by 498%. Moreover, the maximum sliding distance is reduced by 38%, while the maximum total circumferential deformation is increased by 21%. This innovative design enhances the stress distribution across the bottom surface of the suction cup, mitigates inward edge contraction, and delays the communication between the inner cavity and the external environment, thereby improving the overall adsorption efficiency of the suction cup.