Base with detachable high machine leg weighing structure for cat litter basin

Abstract

The utility model discloses a base with a detachable high machine leg weighing structure for a cat litter basin, which comprises a base body, a plurality of machine leg mounting grooves are arranged at the bottom of the base body, and machine leg components are mounted in the machine leg mounting grooves. The machine leg assembly comprises a machine leg shell detachably installed in the machine leg installation groove and a machine leg supporting column arranged in an inner cavity of the machine leg shell in a penetrating mode, the top of the machine leg supporting column is connected with the machine leg shell through a floating connecting part with an elastic arm, and a resistance strain half-bridge type weighing sensor abuts against the upper portion of the machine leg supporting column. The utility model aims to provide the cat litter basin which can monitor the weight of the cat litter basin in real time so as to be linked with an early warning system of the cat litter basin to prompt insufficient cat litter residue, can buffer impact force, improve monitoring precision and facilitate cleaning and maintenance, so that peculiar smell diffusion in the cat litter basin can be avoided, cleaning difficulty can be reduced, and cat health can be guaranteed. And the use convenience and the intelligent level are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automatic cat litter box accessories, and in particular to a base for a cat litter box with a detachable high-foot weighing structure. Background Technology

[0002] Automatic litter boxes are a popular pet product among modern cat-owning families. They use built-in sensors to detect the cat's usage and automatically start the cleaning process after the cat leaves, collecting waste into a sealed container. This design keeps the litter clean, reduces odor, saves owners time and effort, and provides a cleaner and healthier living environment for cats, making it an ideal choice for modern cat-owning families.

[0003] However, existing automatic litter boxes reduce the total amount of litter during the cleaning process. If users fail to regularly check the litter level and replenish it promptly, the litter may not be able to completely cover the excrement when the total amount drops to a critical level. This defect can easily lead to several adverse consequences: First, the odor of the excrement cannot be effectively masked, and the pungent smell produced by fermentation under high temperatures will spread indoors, especially in summer, potentially causing a noticeable odor in the cat-owning area and even adjacent rooms, seriously affecting indoor air quality; Second, uncovered excrement is very likely to stick to the inner wall of the machine's rotating sieve during cleaning, forming stubborn stains that force users to manually disassemble and clean, increasing the difficulty of subsequent maintenance and potentially reducing the machine's operating efficiency.

[0004] In addition, insufficient cat litter reduces the thickness of the litter layer, making it lower than the ideal depth for cats to dig. In this state, cats have difficulty burying their excrement properly, which can easily lead to anxiety and, in the long term, behavioral problems such as refusing to use the litter box or urinating / defecating outside the litter box. Furthermore, too little litter can generate a lot of dust during digging or machine cleaning, which can irritate the cat's respiratory tract, causing sneezing, tearing, and even chronic conjunctivitis, significantly increasing the pet's risk of illness. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a base with a detachable, high-height weighing structure for cat litter boxes. By monitoring changes in the weight of the litter box in real time, it can be linked to an app to push notifications about low litter levels or trigger indicator light warnings. This allows users to anticipate when to replenish litter, effectively preventing a vicious cycle of problems caused by litter shortages.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following solution: a base for a cat litter box with a detachable high-foot weighing structure, comprising a base body with multiple foot mounting slots evenly distributed on its bottom; and foot assemblies respectively installed in the foot mounting slots. Each foot assembly includes a foot shell mounted on top in the foot mounting slot, with a hollow inner cavity in the center of the foot shell, the upper and lower ends of which respectively penetrate the upper and lower ends of the foot shell; a foot support column movably passes through the inner cavity of the foot shell, its bottom extending out of the bottom opening of the inner cavity and supported on the ground; a floating connection part elastically connected to the top of the inner cavity of the foot shell at the top of the foot support column, allowing the foot support column to float up and down relative to the foot shell; a weighing component is installed in the foot mounting slot above the foot support column; the top of the foot support column, after being elastically deformed by the floating connection part, presses against the sensing end of the weighing component. This solution solves the problems of the inability to monitor cat litter balance in real time and the lack of an integrated weighing structure in existing cat litter box technology. By integrating a weighing component with floating feet, the entire weight of the litter box can be monitored in real time, accurately tracking changes in litter levels. This allows for a linked warning function that automatically triggers an app notification or indicator light alert when litter is low, reminding the user to replenish litter. This effectively prevents odor spread, reduces cleaning difficulty, protects the cat's health, and enhances user convenience and the litter box's overall intelligence.

[0007] In traditional litter box designs, the bottom support structure uses a rigid connection. When a cat steps on it or the machine vibrates, the impact force acts directly on the support structure. This structure causes fluctuations in the weighing data, thus affecting the monitoring accuracy. Furthermore, this lack of cushioning makes the support structure prone to damage, reducing the lifespan and reliability of the equipment. Therefore, to solve these problems, as a further solution of this invention, the floating connection part includes a connecting ring surrounding the top of the machine foot support column and connected to the top of the inner cavity of the machine foot housing. An annular gap exists between the inner ring of the connecting ring and the outer wall of the machine foot support column. Several elastic arms are evenly distributed within this annular gap, with both ends connected to the inner wall of the inner ring of the connecting ring and the outer circumference of the machine foot support column, respectively. These elastic arms allow deformation, enabling the machine foot support column to float up and down relative to the machine foot housing. This effectively cushions the impact force generated by a cat stepping on it or machine vibration, avoiding fluctuations in the weighing data and improving the monitoring accuracy and reliability of the weighing component. Furthermore, this solution achieves precise weight transfer through the synergistic effect of the annular gap and the elastic arm. When the weight inside the litter box changes, this design ensures that the weight change is accurately transmitted to the weighing components, thereby improving monitoring accuracy.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a plurality of fixing holes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the connecting ring, and a corresponding fixing post is provided at the top of the inner cavity of the machine foot housing; the fixing post is inserted into the corresponding fixing hole for interference fit, so that the machine foot support post and the machine foot housing are connected and fixed to each other, improving assembly stability, and no additional tools or adhesives are required. Rapid installation is achieved through mechanical cooperation, which is convenient for mass production and subsequent maintenance.

[0009] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the elastic arm has an "S-shaped" structure parallel to the connecting ring, and its two ends are integrally injection molded with the inner wall of the inner ring of the connecting ring and the outer circumference of the machine foot support column, respectively. Through the elastic deformation characteristics of the "S-shaped" structure, the machine foot support column and the machine foot shell can float up and down relative to each other. At the same time, the integral injection molding process ensures the structural strength and assembly stability, while simplifying the production process and reducing costs.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a groove is provided on the top wall of the mounting slot for the machine feet, and sensor clips are provided on both sides of the groove. The top of the weighing component is embedded in the groove, which can reduce the entry of cat litter particles or dust. The bottom of the weighing component is secured by the sensor clips, which facilitates cleaning or replacement and reduces user maintenance costs.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the outer shell of the foot is detachably fixed in the foot mounting groove through a snap-fit ​​connection structure, which supports the individual disassembly of the foot assembly, making it convenient for users to clean the bottom of the base or replace damaged foot parts.

[0012] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the buckle connection structure includes a foot buckle provided on the top of the foot housing and a snap-fit ​​position provided on the inner wall of the foot mounting groove. The foot buckle and the corresponding snap-fit ​​position are detachably fixed by a snap-fit ​​structure to prevent accidental detachment during use.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a metal extrusion plate is embedded at the top of the machine foot support column to enhance the pressing accuracy of the sensing end of the symmetrical weighing component, improve the weighing sensitivity, and the wear resistance of the metal material is better than that of plastic, which extends the service life of the support column and the sensor and ensures the weighing stability during long-term use.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the weighing component is a resistance strain gauge half-bridge weighing sensor to improve the cost-effectiveness of the product.

[0015] In summary, the advantages of this utility model compared to the prior art are as follows: This utility model forms an integrated weighing structure by setting multiple foot mounting slots at the bottom of the base body, and installing a foot assembly including a foot shell, foot support column, floating connection part, and weighing component in each foot mounting slot. The foot support column achieves vertical floating relative to the foot shell through a floating connection part consisting of an S-shaped, integrally injection-molded elastic arm and a connecting ring. This design can both buffer the impact force generated by the cat's movement or machine vibration through elastic deformation, and accurately transmit the overall weight change of the litter box to the sensing end of the resistance strain gauge load cell via a metal extrusion plate, thereby ensuring the real-time and accurate weight data.

[0016] In addition, the base shell can be detachably fixed to the base mounting slot through an inverted snap-fit ​​structure that includes base clips and snap-fit ​​positions. Combined with the top wall groove of the base mounting slot and the symmetrical weight assembly locking design of the sensor clip, it not only supports the quick disassembly and assembly and separate cleaning of the base assembly and the weighing assembly, but also allows for the replacement of different specifications of bases according to terrain requirements, significantly improving scene adaptability.

[0017] This invention addresses issues such as odor spread, difficult equipment cleaning, feline behavioral problems, and health risks caused by insufficient cat litter. Through real-time weight monitoring, it can further link with an app for alerts or indicator lights, allowing users to replenish litter in advance. This effectively avoids a chain reaction of problems caused by litter shortages, such as excrement exposure and equipment malfunction. It lays the foundation for a closed-loop solution from accurate monitoring to intelligent early warning and convenient maintenance, ultimately optimizing the user experience of automatic litter boxes and ensuring the health of cats and the quality of the home environment. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the present invention after cross-section.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of point A in the middle.

[0022] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a single foot assembly of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A magnified view of point B in the middle.

[0024] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the machine foot housing and the machine foot support column in this utility model.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Base body; 2. Foot assembly; 3. Floating connection part; 4. Weighing assembly; 5. Snap-fit ​​connection structure; 6. Metal extrusion sheet; 11. Foot mounting groove; 12. Groove; 13. Sensor snap-fit; 21. Foot housing; 22. Foot support column; 23. Inner cavity; 31. Connecting ring; 32. Elastic arm; 33. Annular gap; 51. Foot snap-fit; 52. Snap-fit ​​position; 211. Fixing column; 311. Fixing hole. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following detailed description provides various embodiments or examples for implementing this utility model. Of course, these are merely embodiments or examples and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, repeated reference numerals, such as repeated numbers and / or letters, may be used in different embodiments. These repetitions are for the purpose of simple and clear description of the invention and do not represent a specific relationship between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed.

[0027] Furthermore, spatial terms may be used, such as "below," "lower," "from the inside out," "above," "upper," and similar terms. These relational terms are used to facilitate the description of the relationship between some elements or features in the drawings and other elements or features. These spatial relational terms include different orientations of the device in use or operation, as well as the orientations described in the drawings. The device may be rotated 90 degrees or otherwise to different orientations, and the spatially related adjectives used therein can be interpreted in the same way. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the invention. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: Figures 1 to 7 The diagram shows a base for a cat litter box with a detachable, high-mounted, weight-bearing structure. It includes a base body 1 with multiple evenly distributed foot mounting slots 11 on its bottom. Each foot mounting slot 11 houses a foot assembly 2, which consists of a foot housing 21 mounted on top within the mounting slot 11 and a foot support column 22 extending through the housing. The foot housing 21 has a hollow inner cavity 23 in its center, with its upper and lower ends penetrating the housing. The foot support column 22 is movably inserted into the inner cavity 23 of the foot housing 21, with its bottom extending beyond the bottom opening of the inner cavity 23 and supported on the ground.

[0029] A weighing component 4 is installed in the foot mounting groove 11 above the foot support column 22. The top of the foot support column 22 is connected to the top of the inner cavity 23 of the foot housing 21 via a floating connection part 3. The floating connection part 3 deforms elastically and presses against the sensing end of the weighing component 4 to achieve weighing. In this embodiment, a foot mounting groove 11 is set at the bottom of each of the four corners of the base body 1. Support and weighing are achieved through four evenly distributed points, ensuring the uniformity and stability of the overall weight monitoring of the litter box. This avoids uneven force distribution and weighing deviation problems that may occur with single-point support, effectively solving the shortcomings of existing litter boxes that lack an integrated weighing structure and cannot accurately monitor weight changes. Addressing the problem that the rigid connection at the bottom of existing litter boxes is prone to weighing data fluctuations due to cats stepping on it or machine vibration, affecting monitoring accuracy, and lacking buffering that can easily damage the support structure, this embodiment sets up a floating connection part 3. Its elastic deformation buffers the impact force, thereby improving weighing accuracy and equipment reliability.

[0030] Specifically, the floating connection part 3 includes a connecting ring 31 that surrounds the top of the machine foot support column 22 and connects to the top of the inner cavity 23 of the machine foot housing 21. An annular gap 33 exists between the inner ring of the connecting ring 31 and the outer wall of the machine foot support column 22. Four elastic arms 32, each with an "S-shaped" structure parallel to the connecting ring 31, are evenly distributed within the annular gap 33. The two ends of each elastic arm 32 are integrally injection molded to the inner wall of the inner ring of the connecting ring 31 and the outer circumferential wall of the machine foot support column 22, respectively. The "S-shaped" elastic arms 32 are used and integrally injection molded because the elastic deformation characteristics of the "S-shaped" structure enhance the cushioning effect; simultaneously, integral injection molding ensures structural strength and assembly stability, simplifies the production process, and reduces costs. Through the cooperation of the annular gap 33 and the elastic arms 32, the machine foot support column 22 can float up and down, while ensuring that weight changes are accurately transmitted to the weighing component.

[0031] Among them, such as Figures 2 to 7 As shown, multiple fixing holes 311 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the connecting ring 31. Corresponding fixing posts 211 are provided at the top of the inner cavity of the machine foot housing 21. After the fixing posts 211 are inserted into the corresponding fixing holes 311, an interference fit is formed, connecting and fixing the machine foot support post 22 to the machine foot housing 21. This mechanical fitting method requires no additional tools or adhesives, enabling rapid installation, facilitating mass production and subsequent maintenance, and solving the problems of complex processes or difficult disassembly and maintenance that may exist in traditional assembly.

[0032] To enhance the pressure resistance accuracy and weighing sensitivity, a metal extrusion plate 6 is preferably embedded in the top of the machine foot support column 22. In this embodiment, the weighing component 4 adopts a resistance strain gauge half-bridge load cell. During weighing, the metal extrusion plate 6 presses against the sensing end of the resistance strain gauge half-bridge load cell. The use of metal material has better wear resistance than plastic, which can extend the service life of the machine foot support column 22 and the sensor, ensuring weighing stability during long-term use, while meeting the requirements for accurate weighing and controlling production costs. It should be noted that... Figures 2 to 6 As shown in the figure, it can be clearly seen that a groove 12 is provided on the top wall of the mounting slot 11, and sensor clips 13 are provided on both sides of the groove 12. The top of the weighing component 4 is embedded in the groove 12, which can reduce the entry of cat litter particles or dust. The bottom of the weighing component 4 is secured by the sensor clips 13, which is convenient for cleaning or replacement and reduces the user's maintenance costs.

[0033] Furthermore, considering the user's need to clean the bottom of the base or replace damaged foot components, the foot housing 21 is detachably fixed to the foot mounting groove 11 via a snap-fit ​​connection structure 5. Specifically, the snap-fit ​​connection structure 5 includes a foot snap 51 located on the top of the foot housing 21 and a snap-fit ​​position 52 located on the inner wall of the foot mounting groove 11. The foot snap 51 and the corresponding snap-fit ​​position 52 are detachably fixed via an inverted snap-fit ​​structure. This design allows for the foot assembly 2 to be disassembled individually, and the inverted snap-fit ​​structure prevents accidental detachment during use, providing both convenience and stability.

[0034] This invention forms an integrated weighing structure through the synergistic effect of the aforementioned components. It can buffer impact forces and ensure accurate weighing data through elastic floating connections, while also improving maintenance convenience through a detachable design. Ultimately, it enables real-time monitoring of the litter box's weight. Furthermore, by linking with the automatic litter box's built-in warning function, it can promptly remind users to replenish litter, effectively avoiding problems such as odor spread, difficulty in cleaning the equipment, and health risks to cats caused by litter shortages. This enhances the intelligence level and user experience of the automatic litter box.

[0035] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles and main features of this utility model, as well as its advantages. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A base with detachable high foot weighing structure for a cat litter box, characterized in that, include: The base body (1) has multiple foot mounting slots (11) evenly distributed on its bottom. The foot assembly (2) is installed in the foot mounting slot (11), and the foot assembly (2) includes: The machine foot housing (21) is installed in the machine foot mounting groove (11) at the top, and has a hollow inner cavity (23) in the center. The upper and lower ends of the inner cavity (23) pass through the upper and lower ends of the machine foot housing (21) respectively. The machine foot support column (22) is movably inserted into the inner cavity (23) of the machine foot housing (21), and its bottom extends out of the bottom opening of the inner cavity (23) and is supported on the ground; The floating connection part (3) is connected to the top of the inner cavity (23) of the machine foot housing (21) and the top of the machine foot support column (22), so that the machine foot support column (22) can float up and down relative to the machine foot housing (21); The weighing component (4) is installed in the machine foot mounting groove (11) and located above the machine foot support column (22); The top of the machine foot support column (22) presses against the sensing end of the weighing component (4) after the elastic deformation of the floating connection part (3).

2. A base with detachable high foot weighing structure for a cat litter box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating connection part (3) includes a connecting ring (31) that surrounds the top of the foot support column (22) and is connected to the top of the inner cavity (23) of the foot housing (21). There is an annular gap (33) between the inner ring of the connecting ring (31) and the outer wall of the foot support column (22). A plurality of elastic arms (32) are evenly distributed in the annular gap (33). The two ends of the elastic arms (32) are respectively connected to the inner wall of the inner ring of the connecting ring (31) and the outer circumferential wall of the foot support column (22).

3. A base with detachable high foot weighing structure for a cat litter box according to claim 2, characterized in that, Multiple fixing holes (311) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the connecting ring (31), and a corresponding fixing post (211) is provided at the top of the inner cavity of the machine foot housing (21); the fixing post (211) is inserted into the corresponding fixing hole (311) for interference fit, so that the machine foot support post (22) and the machine foot housing (21) are connected and fixed to each other.

4. The base with detachable high foot weighing structure for cat litter box according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic arm (32) has an "S-shaped" structure parallel to the connecting ring (31), and its two ends are integrally injection molded with the inner wall of the inner ring of the connecting ring (31) and the outer circumference of the machine foot support column (22).

5. The base with detachable high foot weighing structure for cat litter box according to claim 1, characterized in that, A groove (12) is provided on the top wall of the mounting groove (11) of the machine foot, and sensor buckles (13) are provided on both sides of the groove (12). The top of the weighing component (4) is embedded in the groove (12), and the bottom is secured by the sensor buckles (13).

6. A base with detachable high foot weighing structure for a cat litter box according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The machine foot housing (21) is detachably fixed in the machine foot mounting groove (11) by means of a snap-fit ​​connection structure (5).

7. A base with detachable high foot weighing structure for a cat litter box according to claim 6, characterized in that, The buckle connection structure (5) includes a foot buckle (51) located on the top of the foot housing (21) and a snap-fit ​​position (52) located on the inner wall of the foot mounting groove (11). The foot buckle (51) and the corresponding snap-fit ​​position (52) are detachably fixed by a snap-fit ​​structure.

8. The base with detachable high foot weighing structure for cat litter box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the machine foot support column (22) is embedded with a metal extrusion plate (6) for pressing against the sensing end of the weighing component (4).

9. The base with detachable high foot weighing structure for cat litter box according to claim 8, characterized in that, The weighing component (4) is a resistance strain half-bridge weighing sensor.

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