Suction cup

A suction cup is a cup-shaped structure consisting of an elastic material, which is pressed by a negative pressure to a smooth surface. For this is when attaching a cavity surrounded by elastic material is pressed and the air previously contained displaced. The thus generated pressure of the surrounding medium, usually air, to the hollow body exerts a force. This gives the impression, as he may draw tight.

The principle of the suction cup use numerous aquatic animals in different forms, in the form of Saugtentakeln, suckers or Saugmäulern.

Even before these natural suction cups could be reproduced by human hands which would require skills in using rubber or other suitable material, use was made of animal suckers. For example, remora were used in the capture of sea turtles. From the Mediterranean also fishing with octopus is known. Already in the Odyssey, the force of the suckers of a squid is described, in which the stones are still hanging, when pulled from the sea.

Suckers in the art

Artificial suction cups are especially used to temporarily attach items to smooth surfaces - such as kitchen appliances on countertops, navigation devices on windshields or heating elements to the aquarium glass. The case achievable suction force is proportional to the pressure difference and the effective area. So, a single suction cup carry a high weight.