Roller mechanism and cat litter box robot

Abstract

Provided are a roller mechanism and a cat litter box robot. The roller mechanism comprises: a roller body (100); a bin door assembly (200) movably connected to the roller body (100) and provided with a pressing portion (221); and a feces collecting bin (300) arranged in the roller body (100) and provided with an annular opening portion (310), wherein the pressing portion (221) is snap-fitted with at least part of the opening portion (310) when the bin door assembly (200) is closed. In the roller mechanism, when the bin door assembly (200) is closed, the pressing portion (221) is snap-fitted with at least part of the opening portion (310). At this time, the pressing portion (221) and the opening portion (310) are mutually limited and supported, the pressing portion (221) can limit the deformation of the opening portion (310), and the opening portion (310) can also limit the deformation of the pressing portion (221), thereby reducing litter leakage caused by the deformation of the bin door assembly (200) and the feces collecting bin (300). In addition, when any one of the pressing portion (221) and the opening portion (310) is deformed, the other one of the pressing portion (221) and the opening portion (310) is deformed accordingly, so that the pressing portion (221) and the opening portion (310) can still maintain good sealing fit, and the litter leakage can be reduced.

Description

Drum mechanism and cat litter box robot

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202310910146.9 filed with the Patent Office of China on July 21, 2023, and with the invention name “A Drum Mechanism and Cat Litter Box Robot”, and claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202321940914.7 filed with the Patent Office of China on July 21, 2023, and with the invention name “A Drum Mechanism and Cat Litter Box Robot”, the entire contents of which are incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of pet products, and in particular to a roller mechanism and a cat litter box robot. Background Art

[0003] There are a variety of automatic cat litter box products on the market. Some have a litter box inside a drum with a retractable door that allows users to remove the litter box.

[0004] However, cat litter often leaks out of the door during the rotation of the drum, resulting in litter scattered on the ground around the product, which not only affects the product's performance but also requires frequent cleaning, increasing the user's workload. Technical issues

[0005] In order to solve the problem of sand leakage in existing automatic cat litter boxes, one of the purposes of this application is to provide a drum mechanism. Technical Solutions

[0006] This application provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] A roller mechanism, comprising:

[0008] Drum body;

[0009] a door assembly movably connected to the drum body, wherein the door assembly is provided with a pressing portion; and

[0010] A feces collecting bin is provided in the drum body, and the feces collecting bin is provided with an annular opening;

[0011] Wherein, the pressing portion is engaged with at least a portion of the opening portion when the door assembly is closed.

[0012] As a further optional solution for the roller mechanism, a concave surface is provided on the pressing portion, and a convex surface is provided on the opening portion, and the concave surface and the convex surface are in contact with each other when the door assembly is closed.

[0013] As a further optional solution for the roller mechanism, the cross sections of the concave surface and the convex surface are both arranged to be arc-shaped.

[0014] As a further optional solution for the roller mechanism, the cross sections of the concave surface and the convex surface are both wedge-shaped.

[0015] As a further optional solution for the roller mechanism, the door assembly includes a door body and a door bracket, the door bracket is fixedly connected to the door body, the door bracket is located on the side of the door body facing the interior of the roller body, and the door bracket is provided with the pressing portion.

[0016] As a further optional solution to the roller mechanism, a first reinforcing rib is provided on the door bracket.

[0017] As a further optional solution to the roller mechanism, a second reinforcing rib is provided on the feces collecting bin.

[0018] As a further optional solution to the roller mechanism, the opening portion includes a first side, a second side, and a third side, the first side being located on a side of the opening portion away from the door assembly, the second side being located on a side of the opening portion close to the door assembly, and the third side being provided in a pair and connecting the first side and the second side;

[0019] The pressing portion is engaged with the second side of the opening when the door assembly is closed.

[0020] As a further optional solution to the roller mechanism, the pressing portion is further engaged with the third side of the opening when the door assembly is closed.

[0021] Another object of the present application is to provide a cat litter box robot.

[0022] This application provides the following technical solutions:

[0023] A cat litter box robot comprises the above-mentioned roller mechanism. Beneficial effects

[0024] The embodiments of the present application have the following beneficial effects:

[0025] In the above-described roller mechanism, the door assembly is provided with a press-fit portion, and the feces collection bin is provided with an opening. When the door assembly is closed, the press-fit portion engages with at least a portion of the opening. At this point, the press-fit portion and the opening mutually restrain and support each other, limiting deformation of the opening and vice versa. This mitigates sand leakage caused by deformation of the door assembly and the feces collection bin. Furthermore, when either the press-fit portion or the opening deforms, the other deforms accordingly, while maintaining a good seal between the two, similarly mitigating sand leakage.

[0026] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, preferred embodiments are given below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0028] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a roller mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a roller mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present application when the door assembly is open;

[0030] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a roller mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present application when the door assembly is closed;

[0031] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of the matching relationship between the pressing portion and the opening portion in a roller mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Description of main component symbols:

[0033] 100-drum body; 110-limiting part; 120-gear ring; 200-door assembly; 210-door body; 220-door bracket; 221-pressing part; 222-concave surface; 223-first reinforcing rib; 300-feces collection bin; 310-opening; 311-first side; 312-second side; 313-third side; 314-convex surface; 320-second reinforcing rib. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present application. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

[0035] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there is no intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0036] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "mounted," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components or interactions between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0037] Furthermore, 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 quantity of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature identified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the template description herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0039] Example

[0040] 1 and 2 , this embodiment provides a drum mechanism for use in a cat litter box robot. The drum mechanism includes a drum body 100 , a door assembly 200 , and a feces collection bin 300 , with both the door assembly 200 and the feces collection bin 300 being mounted on the drum body 100 .

[0041] Specifically, the drum body 100 is provided in a cylindrical shape, and the drum body 100 rotates around its own axis during use.

[0042] The door assembly 200 is disposed on the side wall of the drum body 100 and is movably connected to the drum body 100 . The door assembly 200 is provided with a pressing portion 221 .

[0043] The feces collecting bin 300 is embedded in the drum body 100 for collecting cat excrement. In addition, the feces collecting bin 300 is provided with an annular opening 310. When the drum body 100 rotates, cat excrement enters the feces collecting bin 300 from the opening 310.

[0044] During use, the user can open the hatch assembly 200 regularly and take out the feces collecting bin 300 to centrally dump and clean the cat's excrement.

[0045] Referring to Figure 3 , when the door assembly 200 is closed, the press-fit portion 221 of the door assembly 200 engages with at least a portion of the opening 310 of the feces collection bin 300. At this point, the press-fit portion 221 and the opening 310 mutually support each other. The press-fit portion 221 limits deformation of the opening 310, and vice versa, thereby reducing sand leakage caused by deformation of the door assembly 200 and the feces collection bin 300. Furthermore, when either the press-fit portion 221 or the opening 310 deforms, the other deforms accordingly, while maintaining a good seal between the two, similarly reducing sand leakage.

[0046] In contrast, the hatch and the feces collection bin 300 in existing automatic cat litter boxes are often in flat contact and pressed together. When the hatch and / or the feces collection bin 300 are deformed, a gap is created between the hatch and the feces collection bin 300. During the rotation of the drum mechanism, cat litter may leak out of the gap, causing inconvenience to the user.

[0047] Specifically, the opening portion 310 is square, and includes a first side 311 , a second side 312 , and a third side 313 arranged in a pair.

[0048] The first side 311 is located on a side of the opening 310 away from the door assembly 200. The second side 312 is opposite the first side 311 and located on a side of the opening 310 closer to the door assembly 200. One of the third side edges 313 connects one end of the first side 311 with one end of the second side 312, and the other third side edge 313 connects the other end of the first side 311 with the other end of the second side 312.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the door assembly 200 is closed, the pressing portion 221 is engaged with the second side 312 and the third side 313 of the opening 310 .

[0050] In another embodiment of the present application, when the door assembly 200 is closed, the pressing portion 221 may also only be engaged with the second side 312 of the opening 310 .

[0051] Referring to Figure 4 , in some embodiments of this embodiment, a concave surface 222 is provided on the pressing portion 221, and a corresponding convex surface 314 is provided on the opening portion 310. When the door assembly 200 is closed, the second side 312 and the third side 313 of the opening portion 310 are embedded in the pressing portion 221, and the convex surface 314 on the opening portion 310 is in contact with the concave surface 222 on the pressing portion 221.

[0052] In other embodiments of this embodiment, the concave surface 222 may be provided on the opening 310 and the convex surface 314 may be provided on the pressing portion 221. When the door assembly 200 is closed, the pressing portion 221 is embedded in the second side 312 and the third side 313 of the opening 310.

[0053] In some specific implementations of this embodiment, the cross-sections of the concave surface 222 and the convex surface 314 are both arc-shaped, that is, the concave surface 222 and the convex surface 314 are both arc surfaces.

[0054] When the door assembly 200 is closed, the pressing portion 221 and the opening portion 310 can be better fitted together to maintain a sealed fit, and the contact area is larger than that of a plane contact, which can better improve the sand leakage phenomenon.

[0055] In some other specific implementations of this embodiment, the cross-sections of the concave surface 222 and the convex surface 314 may also be wedge-shaped, that is, the concave surface 222 and the convex surface 314 both have relatively inclined side walls.

[0056] Please refer to FIG. 1 again. Further, in this embodiment, the door assembly 200 is composed of a door body 210 and a door bracket 220 .

[0057] The door body 210 is hinged to the drum body 100 on one side along the circumference of the drum body 100 , and the door body 210 is detachably connected to the drum body 100 on the other side along the circumference of the drum body 100 through a locking structure.

[0058] The user can open the door body 210 after unlocking it, and lock the door body 210 after closing it, so as to prevent the door body 210 from being opened during the rotation of the drum body 100 .

[0059] The door bracket 220 is fixedly connected to the door body 210 and is located on a side of the door body 210 facing the interior of the drum body 100. In addition, the pressing portion 221 is provided on the door bracket 220.

[0060] During the production process, the door body 210 and the door bracket 220 are designed and processed separately and then assembled together, which greatly increases the structural strength of the door assembly 200 and can effectively improve the deformation of the door assembly 200, thereby improving the sand leakage phenomenon.

[0061] In contrast, the hatch in the existing automatic cat litter box is a single part and is subject to significant deformation during use.

[0062] 2 again, further, a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 223 are provided on the inner wall of the door bracket 220. The first reinforcing ribs 223 are provided along the circumference of the drum body 100 and are arranged along the axis of the drum body 100.

[0063] When in use, the first reinforcing rib 223 can further improve the structural strength of the door bracket 220, making the door bracket 220 less likely to deform, which is beneficial for the pressing part 221 on the door bracket 220 to maintain a sealed fit with the opening part 310 on the feces collection bin 300.

[0064] Similarly, a plurality of second reinforcing ribs 320 are provided on the outer side wall of the feces collecting bin 300. The second reinforcing ribs 320 are provided along the circumference of the drum body 100, and the plurality of second reinforcing ribs 320 are arranged along the axis direction of the drum body 100.

[0065] When in use, the second reinforcing rib 320 can improve the structural strength of the feces collecting bin 300, making the feces collecting bin 300 less likely to deform, and is conducive to maintaining a sealed fit between the opening 310 on the feces collecting bin 300 and the pressing part 221 on the door bracket 220.

[0066] In the aforementioned roller mechanism, when the door body 210 is closed, the press-fit portion 221 on the door bracket 220 engages with the opening 310 on the feces collection bin 300. At this point, the press-fit portion 221 and the opening 310 mutually support each other. The press-fit portion 221 limits deformation of the opening 310, and vice versa, thereby reducing sand leakage caused by deformation of the door assembly 200 and the feces collection bin 300. Furthermore, when either the press-fit portion 221 or the opening 310 deforms, the other deforms accordingly, while maintaining a good seal and similarly reducing sand leakage.

[0067] On this basis, the door assembly 200 is designed separately into a door body 210 and a door bracket 220, and a first reinforcing rib 223 is set on the door bracket 220, and a second reinforcing rib 320 is set on the feces collecting bin 300. This can improve the structural strength of the door assembly 200 and the feces collecting bin 300, improve the deformation of the door assembly 200 and the feces collecting bin 300, and also reduce the possibility of sand leakage.

[0068] In summary, the drum mechanism solves the problem of cat litter leaking out of the door assembly 200 when the drum body 100 rotates, so that the user does not need to waste time and effort to clean the cat litter that leaks to the ground during use.

[0069] This embodiment also provides a cat litter box robot, comprising a base, a drive motor, and the aforementioned drum mechanism. The drum mechanism comprises a drum body 100 that rotates about its own axis and is mounted on the base. The drive motor's shaft is connected to the drum body 100, driving the drum body 100 to rotate.

[0070] Specifically, a mounting groove for supporting the drum body 100 is provided on the base, and a plurality of rollers are rotatably provided on the bottom of the mounting groove to provide rotational support for the drum body 100 and reduce the friction resistance encountered by the drum body 100 during rotation.

[0071] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3 together. At the same time, the drum body 100 is provided with a limit portion 110 at one end along its own axis. The limit portion 110 is generally cylindrical, with a neck at one end close to the drum body 100, and the axis of the limit portion 110 coincides with the axis of the drum body 100.

[0072] Correspondingly, a limiting sleeve is provided on the base to cover the limiting portion 110. The limiting sleeve is engaged with the limiting portion 110 at the neck of the limiting portion 110, thereby limiting the movement of the drum body 100 in the horizontal direction through the limiting portion 110.

[0073] In addition, a gear ring 120 is provided at one end of the drum body 100 along its own axis. The gear ring 120 is bolted or welded to the drum body 100 , and the axis of the gear ring 120 also coincides with the axis of the drum body 100 .

[0074] Correspondingly, a gear is sleeved on the crankshaft of the driving motor. The gear is key-connected to the crankshaft of the driving motor and meshes with the ring gear 120.

[0075] When in use, the driving motor directly drives the gear to rotate, and then drives the drum body 100 to rotate through the ring gear 120.

[0076] Since the gear and the ring gear 120 have a large reduction ratio, the driving motor can output sufficient torque to ensure driving the drum body 100. In addition, the rotation speed of the drum body 100 is reduced and is easier to control.

[0077] In this embodiment, the limiting portion 110 and the ring gear 120 are located at the same end of the drum body 100 and on the back side of the drum body 100 , making the structure of the cat litter box robot more compact and beautiful.

[0078] When the cat litter box robot is used, the drum mechanism rotates under the drive of a motor or other driving structure, causing the cat's excrement to fall into the collection bin 300. After the collection bin 300 has collected a certain amount of excrement, the user can open the hatch assembly 200, remove the collection bin 300, and centrally dump the cat's excrement for disposal.

[0079] In all examples shown and described herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not limiting, and thus other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0080] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined or explained in subsequent drawings.

[0081] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the scope of the present application, and such modifications and improvements are all within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A roller mechanism, characterized in that: include: Drum body; A door assembly is movably connected to the drum body, and the door assembly is provided with a pressing portion; and A feces collecting bin is arranged in the drum body, and the feces collecting bin is provided with an annular opening; Wherein, the pressing portion is engaged with at least a portion of the opening portion when the door assembly is closed.

2. The roller mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing portion is provided with a concave surface, and the opening portion is provided with a convex surface, and the concave surface and the convex surface are fitted together when the door assembly is closed.

3. The roller mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross sections of the concave surface and the convex surface are both arranged in an arc shape.

4. The roller mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross sections of the concave surface and the convex surface are both wedge-shaped.

5. The roller mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The door assembly comprises a door body and a door bracket, wherein the door bracket is fixedly connected to the door body, the door bracket is located at a side of the door body facing the inside of the drum body, and the door bracket is provided with the pressing portion.

6. The roller mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The door bracket is provided with a first reinforcing rib.

7. The roller mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The feces collecting bin is provided with a second reinforcing rib.

8. The roller mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The opening portion includes a first side, a second side and a third side, the first side is located at a side of the opening portion away from the door assembly, the second side is located at a side of the opening portion close to the door assembly, and the third side is arranged in pairs and connects the first side and the second side; The pressing portion is engaged with the second side edge of the opening when the door assembly is closed.

9. The roller mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: The pressing portion is also engaged with the third side edge of the opening when the door assembly is closed.

10. A cat litter box robot, characterized in that: The invention comprises the roller mechanism described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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