A Method for Building a One-Stop Cat Care System Based on the Fischertechnik Model

By constructing a one-stop cat care system using the electromechanical building blocks of the Fischertechnik model, the system solves the problem that existing devices cannot provide a one-stop solution to the difficulties of cat care, achieving highly intelligent and automated cat care and adapting to the diverse needs of the pet market.

CN117397590BActive Publication Date: 2025-11-14FUZHOU UNIV
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202311261411.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-09-27
Publication Date
2025-11-14
Estimated Expiration
2043-09-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing pet care devices cannot provide a one-stop solution to the difficulties of raising cats, especially the problem of no one to care for them when users are away on long trips. Furthermore, commercially available devices are difficult to customize according to the specific needs of each pet.

Method used

Using Fischertechnik's electromechanical building block components, a one-stop cat care system was designed, including an intelligent feeding module, an intelligent litter box cleaning module, and an intelligent play and monitoring cart module. The system can be adjusted and customized by using a control program written in Fischertechnik ROBOPro.

Benefits of technology

It achieves highly intelligent and automated cat care, meets daily needs, provides convenient solutions, adapts to the diverse needs of the pet market, and has flexible modification and customization functions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This invention proposes a method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on Fischertechnik models. The method utilizes the modular assembly of Fischertechnik creative modular models to form a cat care system with adjustable hardware configuration. The hardware of the cat care system is an expandable electromechanical architecture assembled from modular components of the Fischertechnik creative modular models, including independently operating intelligent feeding modules, intelligent litter box cleaning modules, and intelligent play-monitoring cart modules. The control programs for these modules are all written using Fischertechnik ROBO Pro. This invention can directly utilize various open-source electromechanical modular components of the Fischertechnik creative modular models to manufacture a one-stop cat care system, possessing strong customizability and allowing for flexible modification and customization based on the specific needs of cat owners.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pet care technology, and in particular to a method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model. Background Technology

[0002] According to the "2020 China Pet Industry White Paper," the total size of China's cat and dog pet market in 2020 was 206.5 billion yuan, of which pet cats accounted for approximately 43%, or 88.4 billion yuan, representing a 13.3% increase compared to 2019. Furthermore, 43.9% of respondents found it very difficult to travel with their pets. To address this issue, timed feeding devices, automated litter boxes, and pet toys have emerged in the market, greatly facilitating pet care.

[0003] However, these commercially available pet supplies are difficult to customize according to the specific needs of a pet, which is inconvenient.

[0004] Furthermore, existing automated pet care devices can generally only address one of a pet's needs, such as individual feeding or individual playtime, but cannot provide a one-stop solution to the difficulties of cat ownership. This means that users cannot completely solve their cat ownership problems by purchasing a single device. More importantly, existing single devices cannot solve the core problem of cats being unattended when users need to travel far away, which is incompatible with the booming development of the pet market and tourism culture.

[0005] Fischer's creative modular models mainly consist of three series: creative modular kits, training models, and industrial models. They cover fields and high-tech disciplines such as mechanics, electronics, control, pneumatics, automotive technology, energy technology, and robotics. Utilizing basic industrial standard components (mechanical components / electrical components / pneumatic components), supplemented by sensors, controllers, actuators, and software, and through design concepts and experimental analysis, they can reproduce any technical process and simulate industrial production and the operation of large-scale mechanical equipment. This provides possibilities for experimental teaching, scientific research innovation, and feasibility studies of production lines.

[0006] Fischertechnik models are highly technical engineering and technological puzzle models. They use interlocking modular parts with electromechanical technology, which can be flexibly connected to form a variety of custom electromechanical devices. They are ideal teaching aids for demonstrating scientific principles and technical processes. Due to their precise dimensions and resistance to wear, they can be repeatedly disassembled and reassembled without affecting the accuracy of the model's assembly. The patented industrial dovetail groove design of the components allows for assembly on all six sides. The unique design enables free combination and expansion, so they can be assembled into small electromechanical appliances and flexibly modified.

[0007] This invention proposes to use the Fischertechnik model to manufacture a one-stop cat care system, which is highly customizable and can be flexibly modified and customized according to the specific circumstances of cat owners. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention proposes a method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model. It directly utilizes various open-type electromechanical modular components of the Fischertechnik creative combination model to manufacture the system, offering strong customizability. The system can be flexibly modified and customized according to the specific needs of each cat. Addressing the growing demand for pet care, this invention is based on four design principles: intelligence, comprehensiveness, convenience, and interactivity. Developed using the Fischertechnik creative combination model, it includes an intelligent feeding module, an intelligent litter box cleaning module, and an intelligent play and monitoring cart module, effectively meeting the daily needs of cat care.

[0009] The present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0010] A method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model. The method is based on the connection and combination of modular parts of the Fischertechnik creative combination model to form a cat care system with self-adjustable hardware configuration. The hardware of the cat care system is an expandable electromechanical architecture formed by assembling modular parts of the Fischertechnik creative combination model, including an independently operating intelligent feeding module, an intelligent litter box cleaning module, and an intelligent play and monitoring cart module. The control programs of the intelligent feeding module, intelligent litter box cleaning module, and intelligent play and monitoring cart module are all written using Fischertechnik ROBOPro.

[0011] The method described herein is as follows: Select modular components from the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected modular components include a feeding ultrasonic sensor (A1), a feeding air compressor pump (A2), a feeding TXT controller (A3), a feeding lead screw (A4), a feeding pulley (A6), a feeding transmission gear (A7), a feeding first motor (A11), a feeding second motor (A8), a feeding frame (A9), a feeding conveyor belt (12), a feeding bowl (A10), and a feeding baffle (A5).

[0012] The splicing intelligent feeding module includes a food feeding sub-module and a water feeding sub-module. Both the food feeding sub-module and the water feeding sub-module are spliced ​​to the feeding TXT controller and controlled by it. When it is working, completing one feeding and watering is called completing one feeding. After the feeding is completed, the feeding TXT controller starts timing so that the next feeding can be carried out after the preset time is reached.

[0013] Users can configure the feeding TXT controller according to the cat's dietary needs and preferences to adjust the type, amount, and feeding time of the food.

[0014] The selected assembly methods for the parts include the food feeding sub-module assembly method and the water feeding sub-module assembly method.

[0015] The specific steps for assembling the feeding sub-module are as follows:

[0016] Step S1: Assemble the feeding motor, feeding pulley, feeding conveyor belt, and feeding bowl to form a first assembly that drives the bowl to move back and forth with the conveyor belt, and then fix the first assembly to the feeding machine frame.

[0017] Step S2: Fix the cat food container to the first assembly, so that the outlet of the cat food container is located above the end point of the feeding bowl's movement path;

[0018] Step S3: Assemble the second feeding motor, feeding screw, and feeding baffle to form a second assembly that is driven by the screw to reciprocate opening and closing of the baffle; then fix the second assembly to the output port of the cat food container so that when the feeding baffle is opened, a food outlet with a radius of not less than 10 mm can be formed at the output port to output the cat food to the feeding bowl.

[0019] The feeding submodule works as follows: When the feeding operation begins, the feeding TXT controller first controls the first feeding motor to power on, driving the feeding pulley and the feeding bowl to move to the end point via the feeding conveyor belt. Then, the feeding TXT controller drives the second feeding motor, which in turn drives the feeding baffle to open via the feeding screw, allowing the cat food in the cat food storage container to fall into the feeding bowl through the food outlet. The output amount of cat food is determined by the preset opening time of the feeding baffle. When the preset opening time is reached, the feeding TXT controller drives the second feeding motor to close the feeding baffle, stopping the output of cat food for this feeding.

[0020] The water feeding submodule assembly method specifically includes the following steps:

[0021] Step T1: Directly assemble the feeding ultrasonic sensor and the feeding air compressor to form a linear second assembly;

[0022] Step T2: Place the sensor end of the second assembly above the cat's drinking bowl to monitor the water level in the bowl; connect the pump end of the second assembly to the water tank, and place the water outlet of the water tank on the cat's drinking bowl;

[0023] The water feeding submodule works as follows: When feeding begins, the air compressor pump is powered on and inflates the water tank, using atmospheric pressure to force drinking water to the outlet, allowing the water to flow into the bowl below the outlet for the cats to drink; when the ultrasonic sensor detects that the water level in the bowl has reached the threshold, the power supply to the air compressor pump is stopped, and the water output for this feeding is stopped.

[0024] The method for assembling the intelligent litter box cleaning module is as follows: Select modular parts from the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected modular parts include: ultrasonic cleaning sensor (B1), first cleaning screw (B2), second cleaning screw (B18), first cleaning motor (B3), second cleaning motor (B4), third cleaning motor (B6), fourth cleaning motor (B7), fifth cleaning motor (B12), sixth cleaning motor (B16), excrement shovel (B5), cleaning device frame (B8), ultraviolet disinfection lamp (B10), TXT controller (B11), screw chuck (B13), worm gear (B14), linkage lifting mechanism (B15), and coded motor (B17). The selected excrement shovel must have a comb-like structure at the bottom to filter out cat excrement.

[0025] The intelligent litter box cleaning module includes an excrement sorting sub-module and an excrement packaging sub-module connected to a cleaning TXT controller.

[0026] The assembly method for the excrement sorting submodule specifically includes the following steps:

[0027] Step U1: First, assemble the rectangular cleaning device frame (B8). The middle of the frame forms a litter box with a accommodating structure. Then, attach the first cleaning screw parallel to the bottom of the litter box to the front and rear ends of the frame, so that the first cleaning screw is driven by the second motor and the fourth motor.

[0028] Step U2: Connect the two ends of the cleaning shovel to the first cleaning screw, so that the cleaning shovel is parallel to the bottom of the litter box and above the litter, and the cleaning shovel can reciprocate on both ends of the frame under the drive of the first and second cleaning screws; the cleaning shovel is also connected to the first motor, so that the cleaning shovel can be raised and lowered by the first motor.

[0029] Step U3: Install the waste lifting device (B9) for the excrement bagging sub-module on one side of the frame. The other side of the frame serves as the litter box inlet. An ultrasonic sensor for detecting cats entering and exiting is spliced ​​on this side of the frame.

[0030] The working method of the excrement sorting submodule is as follows: When a cat enters the litter box, it will block the ultrasonic sensor. When the cat leaves, the blockage of the ultrasonic sensor will be removed. The cleaning TXT controller will start the cleaning program after determining that the cat has left the litter box, or it will start cleaning after the preset cleaning time has elapsed. During cleaning, the ultraviolet disinfection lamp for cleaning is turned on first. Then, the second and fourth motors are powered on simultaneously, moving the excrement shovel to the front of the side of the litter box. Next, the first motor drives the cleaning excrement shovel to descend and insert its comb structure into the litter. Then, the second and fourth motors drive the excrement shovel to return. During the return process, the comb structure filters the litter and removes cat excrement. The filtered cat excrement is sent to the garbage lifting device of the excrement baling submodule on the side of the frame.

[0031] The assembly method of the excrement packaging sub-module is as follows: the sixth motor, the second lead screw and the scissor structure are assembled into a linkage lifting mechanism. A garbage bag is placed on the top of the linkage lifting mechanism and the garbage bag is driven to rise and fall, which serves as a garbage lifting device for cleaning (B9). At the top of the garbage bag lifting stroke, a cleaning lead screw chuck is fixed with a cleaning worm gear. The cleaning worm gear is spliced ​​with a cleaning encoder motor so that the cleaning lead screw chuck can reciprocate under the drive of the cleaning encoder motor.

[0032] The working method of the excrement packaging submodule is as follows: When the preset packaging time of the cleaning TXT controller arrives, the cleaning encoder motor is activated to drive the cleaning worm gear transmission, which rotates the cleaning screw chuck to the top of the cleaning garbage lifting device. At this time, the cleaning sixth motor is powered on to drive the cleaning second screw, and the linkage lifting mechanism formed by them transports the garbage bag to the highest point, that is, to the gripping position of the cleaning screw chuck. Then, the cleaning fifth motor is activated to tighten the chuck and grab the garbage bag. Then, the worm gear transmission causes the cleaning screw chuck to rotate, taking the garbage bag out of the cleaning device frame for the user to discard.

[0033] The assembly method of the intelligent companion monitoring car module is as follows: Select the assembly block type parts in the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected assembly block type parts include: companion light bulb (C1), companion photoelectric sensor (C2), companion encoder motor (C4), companion camera (C5), companion TXT controller (C6), and companion motor (C7).

[0034] The playmate motor and linkage mechanism are spliced ​​and fixed on the chassis of the car to form the playmate ball striking linkage mechanism (C3); a pair of playmate encoder motors are spliced ​​at the wheels on both sides of the chassis of the car to drive the car to move; a playmate camera and a playmate photoelectric sensor are fixed on the chassis of the car and connected to the playmate TXT controller on the car.

[0035] The coded motor used for play is also connected to the play ball via a spring rope;

[0036] The intelligent companion monitoring car module works as follows: Users set the cat's most active time period as the companion time period on the TXT controller. When the time is up, the encoder motors are powered on. The TXT controller controls the speed of the two encoder motors, enabling the car to move forward, backward, turn left, turn right, and stop. The companion camera automatically searches for the matching companion ball through visual detection. If found, it approaches the ball; otherwise, it continues searching. When the ball enters the striking area and blocks the light from the companion's bulb that shines on the companion's photoelectric sensor, the companion motor drives the linkage mechanism to launch the ball, emitting a sound to attract the cat to chase and catch it. Furthermore, the car can connect to a computer via Wi-Fi to monitor the pet's movements in real time.

[0037] The TXT controller for companion play is connected to an external computer via a WIFI communication link, allowing users to view the cat's movements in real time via the external computer.

[0038] This invention is based on four design principles: intelligence, comprehensiveness, convenience, and interactivity, resulting in a one-stop cat care system. Developed using Fischertechnik's creative modular design, the system includes an intelligent feeding module, an intelligent litter box cleaning module, and an intelligent play-and-monitor cart module, effectively meeting the daily needs of cat care. Its advantages include:

[0039] 1. The present invention has a higher degree of intelligence and automation, which completely liberates users and provides them with convenient conditions for free travel, solving the problem of travel inconvenience for cat owners.

[0040] 2. This invention has a higher degree of integration and more comprehensive functions, providing a one-stop solution to the problems of cat ownership. At the same time, no similar products or patents have appeared on the market, indicating great market potential.

[0041] Because this invention is based on the modular electromechanical components of the Fischertechnik model and is manufactured using a plug-in assembly method, users can manufacture cat care facilities according to their needs using the method described in this invention. Furthermore, it can be flexibly customized and modified according to the cat's growth and the increase or decrease in the number of cats. For example, when the cat is small, miniature care equipment can be built to save space, while as the kitten grows, the size of the care equipment can be changed to fit the cat's size. This customization function is particularly practical for certain cat breeds prone to obesity. Another example is that multiple feeding baffles can be spliced ​​onto the output ports of different cat food containers to provide cat food of the corresponding flavor according to the different eating times of different cats. Furthermore, when the number of cats increases, there is no need to purchase or build additional equipment; components can be directly plugged into existing facilities to feed or provide a toilet area for multiple cats simultaneously. Attached Figure Description

[0042] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0043] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the intelligent feeding module's workflow;

[0044] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an intelligent feeding module assembled from electromechanical model parts of the Fischertechnik creative combination model.

[0045] Appendix Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of the intelligent litter box cleaning module;

[0046] Appendix Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an intelligent litter box cleaning module assembled using electromechanical model parts from the Fischer Creative Combination Model.

[0047] Appendix Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the comb-like structure at the bottom of a waste shovel used for cleaning.

[0048] Appendix Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the working control program of the intelligent companion monitoring vehicle module;

[0049] Appendix Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an intelligent play-monitoring vehicle module assembled from electromechanical model components of the Fischertechnik creative combination model.

[0050] Appendix Figure 8 This is a diagram showing how a toy ball is connected to a spring rope. Detailed Implementation

[0051] As shown in the figure, a method for building a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model is described. The method is based on the connection and combination of the modular parts of the Fischertechnik creative combination model to form a cat care system with adjustable hardware configuration. The hardware of the cat care system is an expandable electromechanical architecture formed by assembling the modular parts of the Fischertechnik creative combination model. It includes an independently operating intelligent feeding module, an intelligent litter box cleaning module, and an intelligent play and monitoring cart module. The control programs of the intelligent feeding module, the intelligent litter box cleaning module, and the intelligent play and monitoring cart module are all written using Fischertechnik ROBO Pro.

[0052] The method for assembling the intelligent feeding module is as follows: Select modular parts from the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected modular parts include an ultrasonic sensor for feeding (A1), an air compressor pump for feeding (A2), a TXT controller for feeding (A3), a lead screw for feeding (A4), a pulley for feeding (A6), a transmission gear for feeding (A7), a first motor for feeding (A11), a second motor for feeding (A8), a frame for feeding (A9), a conveyor belt for feeding (12), a bowl for feeding (A10), and a baffle for feeding (A5).

[0053] The splicing intelligent feeding module includes a food feeding sub-module and a water feeding sub-module. Both the food feeding sub-module and the water feeding sub-module are spliced ​​to the feeding TXT controller and controlled by it. When it is working, completing one feeding and watering is called completing one feeding. After the feeding is completed, the feeding TXT controller starts timing so that the next feeding can be carried out after the preset time is reached.

[0054] Users can configure the feeding TXT controller according to the cat's dietary needs and preferences to adjust the type, amount, and feeding time of the food.

[0055] The selected assembly methods for the parts include the food feeding sub-module assembly method and the water feeding sub-module assembly method.

[0056] The specific steps for assembling the feeding sub-module are as follows:

[0057] Step S1: Assemble the feeding motor, feeding pulley, feeding conveyor belt, and feeding bowl to form a first assembly that drives the bowl to move back and forth with the conveyor belt, and then fix the first assembly to the feeding machine frame.

[0058] Step S2: Fix the cat food container to the first assembly, so that the outlet of the cat food container is located above the end point of the feeding bowl's movement path;

[0059] Step S3: Assemble the second feeding motor, feeding screw, and feeding baffle to form a second assembly that is driven by the screw to reciprocate opening and closing of the baffle; then fix the second assembly to the output port of the cat food container so that when the feeding baffle is opened, a food outlet with a radius of not less than 10 mm can be formed at the output port to output the cat food to the feeding bowl.

[0060] In this example, although the size of cat food pellets varies between different brands and types, on average, the diameter of cat food pellets is about 5 to 7 millimeters, while the radius of the feed outlet of this invention is 10 millimeters, making it compatible with most cat foods on the market.

[0061] The feeding submodule works as follows: When the feeding operation begins, the feeding TXT controller first controls the first feeding motor to power on, driving the feeding pulley and the feeding bowl to move to the end point via the feeding conveyor belt. Then, the feeding TXT controller drives the second feeding motor, which in turn drives the feeding baffle to open via the feeding screw, allowing the cat food in the cat food storage container to fall into the feeding bowl through the food outlet. The output amount of cat food is determined by the preset opening time of the feeding baffle. When the preset opening time is reached, the feeding TXT controller drives the second feeding motor to close the feeding baffle, stopping the output of cat food for this feeding.

[0062] The water feeding submodule assembly method specifically includes the following steps:

[0063] Step T1: Directly assemble the feeding ultrasonic sensor and the feeding air compressor to form a linear second assembly;

[0064] Step T2: Place the sensor end of the second assembly above the cat's drinking bowl to monitor the water level in the bowl; connect the pump end of the second assembly to the water tank, and place the water outlet of the water tank on the cat's drinking bowl;

[0065] The water feeding submodule works as follows: When feeding begins, the air compressor pump is powered on and inflates the water tank, using atmospheric pressure to force drinking water to the outlet, allowing the water to flow into the bowl below the outlet for the cats to drink; when the ultrasonic sensor detects that the water level in the bowl has reached the threshold, the power supply to the air compressor pump is stopped, and the water output for this feeding is stopped.

[0066] The method for assembling the intelligent litter box cleaning module is as follows: Select modular components from the Fischertechnik creative combination model. These modular components include: an ultrasonic cleaning sensor B1, a first cleaning lead screw B2, a second cleaning lead screw B18, a first cleaning motor B3, a second cleaning motor B4, a third cleaning motor B6, a fourth cleaning motor B7, a fifth cleaning motor B12, a sixth cleaning motor B16, a waste shovel B5, a cleaning device frame B8, a UV disinfection lamp B10, a TXT controller B11, a lead screw gripper B13, a worm gear B14, a connecting rod lifting mechanism B15, and a coding motor B17. The selected waste shovel must have a comb-like structure at the bottom to filter out cat excrement.

[0067] The intelligent litter box cleaning module includes an excrement sorting sub-module and an excrement packaging sub-module connected to a cleaning TXT controller.

[0068] The assembly method for the excrement sorting submodule specifically includes the following steps:

[0069] Step U1: First, assemble the rectangular cleaning device frame B8. The middle of the frame forms a litter box with a accommodating structure. Then, attach the first cleaning screw parallel to the bottom of the litter box to the front and rear ends of the frame, so that the first cleaning screw is driven by the second motor and the fourth motor.

[0070] Step U2: Connect the two ends of the cleaning shovel to the first cleaning screw, so that the cleaning shovel is parallel to the bottom of the litter box and above the litter, and the cleaning shovel can reciprocate on both ends of the frame under the drive of the first and second cleaning screws; the cleaning shovel is also connected to the first motor, so that the cleaning shovel can be raised and lowered by the first motor.

[0071] Step U3: Install the waste lifting device B9 for the excrement bagging sub-module on one side of the frame. The other side of the frame serves as the litter box inlet. An ultrasonic sensor for detecting cats entering and exiting is spliced ​​on this side of the frame.

[0072] The working method of the excrement sorting submodule is as follows: When a cat enters the litter box, it will block the ultrasonic sensor. When the cat leaves, the blockage of the ultrasonic sensor will be removed. The cleaning TXT controller will start the cleaning program after determining that the cat has left the litter box, or it will start cleaning after the preset cleaning time has elapsed. During cleaning, the ultraviolet disinfection lamp for cleaning is turned on first. Then, the second and fourth motors are powered on simultaneously, moving the excrement shovel to the front of the side of the litter box. Next, the first motor drives the cleaning excrement shovel to descend and insert its comb structure into the litter. Then, the second and fourth motors drive the excrement shovel to return. During the return process, the comb structure filters the litter and removes cat excrement. The filtered cat excrement is sent to the garbage lifting device of the excrement baling submodule on the side of the frame.

[0073] The assembly method of the excrement packaging sub-module is as follows: the sixth motor, the second lead screw and the scissor structure are assembled into a linkage lifting mechanism. A garbage bag is placed on the top of the linkage lifting mechanism and the garbage bag is driven to rise and fall, which serves as the garbage lifting device B9 for cleaning. At the top of the garbage bag lifting stroke, a cleaning lead screw chuck is fixed with a cleaning worm gear. The cleaning worm gear is spliced ​​with a cleaning encoder motor so that the cleaning lead screw chuck can reciprocate under the drive of the cleaning encoder motor.

[0074] The working method of the excrement packaging submodule is as follows: When the preset packaging time of the cleaning TXT controller arrives, the cleaning encoder motor is activated to drive the cleaning worm gear transmission, which rotates the cleaning screw chuck to the top of the cleaning garbage lifting device. At this time, the cleaning sixth motor is powered on to drive the cleaning second screw, and the linkage lifting mechanism formed by them transports the garbage bag to the highest point, that is, to the gripping position of the cleaning screw chuck. Then, the cleaning fifth motor is activated to tighten the chuck and grab the garbage bag. Then, the worm gear transmission causes the cleaning screw chuck to rotate, taking the garbage bag out of the cleaning device frame for the user to discard.

[0075] The assembly method of the intelligent companion monitoring car module is as follows: Select the assembly block type parts in the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected assembly block type parts include: companion light bulb C1, companion photoelectric sensor C2, companion encoder motor C4, companion camera C5, companion TXT controller C6, and companion motor C7.

[0076] The playmate motor and linkage mechanism are spliced ​​and fixed on the chassis of the car to form the playmate ball-hitting linkage mechanism C3; a pair of playmate encoder motors are spliced ​​at the wheels on both sides of the chassis to drive the car to move; a playmate camera and a playmate photoelectric sensor are fixed on the chassis of the car and connected to the playmate TXT controller on the car.

[0077] The coded motor used for play is also connected to the play ball via a spring rope;

[0078] The intelligent companion monitoring car module works as follows: Users set the cat's most active time period as the companion time period on the TXT controller. When the time is up, the encoder motors are powered on. The TXT controller controls the speed of the two encoder motors, enabling the car to move forward, backward, turn left, turn right, and stop. The companion camera automatically searches for the matching companion ball through visual detection. If found, it approaches the ball; otherwise, it continues searching. When the ball enters the striking area and blocks the light from the companion's bulb that shines on the companion's photoelectric sensor, the companion motor drives the linkage mechanism to launch the ball, emitting a sound to attract the cat to chase and catch it. Furthermore, the car can connect to a computer via Wi-Fi to monitor the pet's movements in real time.

[0079] The TXT controller for companion play is connected to an external computer via a WIFI communication link, allowing users to view the cat's movements in real time via the external computer.

[0080] In this example, a spring rope is wound around the ball and connected to the central protrusion of the trolley's 4-code motor. This prevents the trolley from completely losing sight of the ball and facilitates its retrieval. The spring rope and ball are as follows: Figure 8 As shown.

Claims

1. A method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model, characterized in that: The method is based on the connection and combination of modular parts of the Fischer Creative Combination Model to form a cat care system with self-adjustable hardware configuration. The hardware of the cat care system is an expandable electromechanical architecture formed by assembling modular parts of the Fischer Creative Combination Model, including an independently operating intelligent feeding module, an intelligent litter box cleaning module, and an intelligent play and monitoring cart module. The control programs of the intelligent feeding module, the intelligent litter box cleaning module, and the intelligent play and monitoring cart module are all written using Fischer ROBO Pro. The assembly method of the intelligent companion monitoring car module is as follows: Select the assembly block type parts in the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected assembly block type parts include: companion light bulb (C1), companion photoelectric sensor (C2), companion encoder motor (C4), companion camera (C5), companion TXT controller (C6), and companion motor (C7). The playmate motor and linkage mechanism are spliced ​​and fixed on the chassis of the car to form the playmate ball striking linkage mechanism (C3); a pair of playmate encoder motors are spliced ​​at the wheels on both sides of the chassis of the car to drive the car to move; a playmate camera and a playmate photoelectric sensor are fixed on the chassis of the car and connected to the playmate TXT controller on the car. The coded motor used for play is also connected to the play ball via a spring rope; The intelligent companion monitoring car module works as follows: Users set the cat's most active time period as the companion time period for the TXT controller. When the time is up, the encoder motor is powered on. The speed of the two encoder motors is controlled by the TXT controller to enable the car to move forward, backward, turn left, turn right, and stop. The companion camera automatically searches for the matching companion ball through visual detection. If it finds the ball, it moves closer to it; otherwise, it continues searching. When the ball enters the hitting area and blocks the light from the companion bulb that is directed to the companion photoelectric sensor, the companion motor drives the linkage mechanism to hit the ball, emitting a sound to attract the cat to chase and catch it. In addition, the car can also be connected to a computer via WIFI to view the pet's movements in real time.

2. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method described herein is as follows: Select modular components from the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected modular components include a feeding ultrasonic sensor (A1), a feeding air compressor pump (A2), a feeding TXT controller (A3), a feeding lead screw (A4), a feeding pulley (A6), a feeding transmission gear (A7), a feeding first motor (A11), a feeding second motor (A8), a feeding frame (A9), a feeding conveyor belt (12), a feeding bowl (A10), and a feeding baffle (A5). The splicing intelligent feeding module includes a food feeding sub-module and a water feeding sub-module. Both the food feeding sub-module and the water feeding sub-module are spliced ​​to the feeding TXT controller and controlled by it. When it is working, completing one feeding and watering is called completing one feeding. After the feeding is completed, the feeding TXT controller starts timing so that the next feeding can be carried out after the preset time is reached. Users can configure the feeding TXT controller according to the cat's dietary needs and preferences to adjust the type, amount, and feeding time of the food. The selected assembly methods for the parts include the food feeding sub-module assembly method and the water feeding sub-module assembly method.

3. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 2, characterized in that: The specific steps for assembling the feeding sub-module are as follows: Step S1: Assemble the feeding motor, feeding pulley, feeding conveyor belt, and feeding bowl to form a first assembly that drives the bowl to move back and forth with the conveyor belt, and then fix the first assembly to the feeding machine frame. Step S2: Fix the cat food container to the first assembly, so that the outlet of the cat food container is located above the end point of the feeding bowl's movement path; Step S3: Assemble the second feeding motor, feeding screw, and feeding baffle to form a second assembly that is driven by the screw to reciprocate opening and closing of the baffle; then fix the second assembly to the output port of the cat food container so that when the feeding baffle is opened, a food outlet with a radius of not less than 10 mm can be formed at the output port to output the cat food to the feeding bowl. The feeding submodule works as follows: When the feeding operation begins, the feeding TXT controller first controls the first feeding motor to power on, driving the feeding pulley and the feeding bowl to move to the end point via the feeding conveyor belt. Then, it controls the second feeding motor to drive the feeding baffle to open via the feeding screw, allowing the cat food in the cat food storage container to fall into the feeding bowl through the food outlet. The output amount of cat food is determined by the preset opening time of the feeding baffle. When the preset opening time is reached, the feeding TXT controller drives the second feeding motor to close the feeding baffle, stopping the output of cat food for this feeding.

4. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water feeding submodule assembly method specifically includes the following steps: Step T1: Directly assemble the feeding ultrasonic sensor and the feeding air compressor to form a linear second assembly; Step T2: Place the sensor end of the second assembly above the cat's drinking bowl to monitor the water level in the bowl; connect the pump end of the second assembly to the water tank, and place the water outlet of the water tank on the cat's drinking bowl; The water feeding submodule works as follows: When feeding begins, the air compressor pump is powered on and inflates the water tank, using atmospheric pressure to force drinking water to the outlet, allowing the water to flow into the bowl below the outlet for the cats to drink; when the ultrasonic sensor detects that the water level in the bowl has reached the threshold, the power supply to the air compressor pump is stopped, and the water output for this feeding is stopped.

5. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method for assembling the intelligent litter box cleaning module is as follows: Select modular parts from the Fischertechnik creative combination model. The selected modular parts include: ultrasonic cleaning sensor (B1), first cleaning screw (B2), second cleaning screw (B18), first cleaning motor (B3), second cleaning motor (B4), third cleaning motor (B6), fourth cleaning motor (B7), fifth cleaning motor (B12), sixth cleaning motor (B16), excrement shovel (B5), cleaning device frame (B8), ultraviolet disinfection lamp (B10), TXT controller (B11), screw chuck (B13), worm gear (B14), linkage lifting mechanism (B15), and coded motor (B17). The selected excrement shovel must have a comb-like structure at the bottom to filter out cat excrement. The intelligent litter box cleaning module includes an excrement sorting sub-module and an excrement packaging sub-module connected to a cleaning TXT controller.

6. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 5, characterized in that: The assembly method for the excrement sorting submodule specifically includes the following steps: Step U1: First, assemble the rectangular cleaning device frame (B8). The middle of the frame forms a litter box with a accommodating structure. Then, attach the first cleaning screw parallel to the bottom of the litter box to the front and rear ends of the frame, so that the first cleaning screw is driven by the second cleaning motor and the fourth cleaning motor. Step U2: Connect the two ends of the cleaning shovel to the first cleaning screw, so that the cleaning shovel is parallel to the bottom of the litter box and above the litter, and the cleaning shovel can reciprocate on both ends of the frame under the drive of the first cleaning screw and the second cleaning screw; the cleaning shovel is also connected to the first cleaning motor, so that the cleaning shovel can be raised and lowered by the first cleaning motor. Step U3: Install the waste lifting device (B9) for the excrement bagging sub-module on one side of the frame. The other side of the frame serves as the litter box inlet. An ultrasonic sensor for detecting cats entering and exiting is spliced ​​on this side of the frame. The working method of the excrement sorting submodule is as follows: When a cat enters the litter box, it will block the ultrasonic sensor. When the cat leaves, the blockage of the ultrasonic sensor will be removed. The cleaning TXT controller will start the cleaning program after determining that the cat has left the litter box, or it will start cleaning after the preset cleaning time has elapsed. During cleaning, the ultraviolet disinfection lamp for cleaning is turned on first. Then, the second and fourth cleaning motors are powered on simultaneously, moving the excrement shovel to the front of the side of the litter box. Next, the first cleaning motor drives the excrement shovel to descend and insert its comb structure into the litter. Then, the second and fourth cleaning motors drive the excrement shovel to return. During the return process, the comb structure filters the litter and removes cat excrement. The filtered cat excrement is sent to the garbage lifting device of the excrement baling submodule on the side of the frame.

7. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 6, characterized in that: The assembly method of the excrement packaging sub-module is as follows: the sixth cleaning motor, the second lead screw and the scissor structure are assembled into a linkage lifting mechanism. A garbage bag is placed on the top of the linkage lifting mechanism and the garbage bag is driven to rise and fall, which serves as a garbage lifting device (B9) for cleaning. At the top of the garbage bag lifting stroke, a cleaning lead screw chuck is fixed with a cleaning worm gear. The cleaning worm gear is spliced ​​with a cleaning encoder motor so that the cleaning lead screw chuck can reciprocate under the drive of the cleaning encoder motor. The working method of the excrement packaging submodule is as follows: When the preset packaging time of the cleaning TXT controller arrives, the cleaning encoder motor is activated to drive the cleaning worm gear transmission, which rotates the cleaning screw chuck to the top of the cleaning garbage lifting device. At this time, the cleaning sixth motor is energized to drive the cleaning second screw, and the linkage lifting mechanism formed by them transports the garbage bag to the highest point, that is, to the gripping position of the cleaning screw chuck. Then, the cleaning fifth motor is activated to tighten the chuck and grab the garbage bag. Then, the worm gear transmission causes the cleaning screw chuck to rotate, bringing the garbage bag out of the cleaning device frame for the user to discard.

8. The method for constructing a one-stop cat care system based on the Fischertechnik model according to claim 1, characterized in that: The TXT controller for companion play is connected to an external computer via a WIFI communication link, allowing users to view the cat's movements in real time via the external computer.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • People and pet interaction smart home system

    CN115933426A