2019 Suction Climber

I helped design the suction climber for Team 254’s 2019 robot. It starts in a compact position with a bi-stable over-center linkage that becomes a rigid connection after being deployed. It then uses a vacuum pump to develop a seal with a plastic platform. Finally, the whole assembly is pulled down by the elevator on a combination of teflon blocks and bearings to hold the robot 1’ off the ground. When not in use, it uses a combination of a constant force spring and an air cylinder lock to stay stowed.