Pet excrement disposal device

Abstract

Disclosed is a pet excrement disposal device according to various embodiments of the present invention. In an embodiment, the pet excrement disposal device comprises: a tray comprising an excretion tray and a storage tray divided by a divider, the lower surface of the tray having an arc shape when seen from the side, and the upper surface of the tray having a straight shape so as to connect both ends of the lower surface; a main body including an arc-shaped inner space in which the tray is positioned, and a discharge port formed in the arc-shaped inner space as an opening; an excrement drawer configured to be inserted by sliding with respect to the main body; a gear assembly including a tray gear installed in the tray such that the tray rotates with regard to the main body around the center of curvature of the arc shape as the rotational axis (X), and a driving gear connected to a motor for generating a rotational force by means of power applied thereto and transferring the rotational force to the tray gear. The rotational axis (X) is located outside the excretion tray and the storage tray of the tray when viewed from the side, the discharge port is located below the rotational axis (X), and when the excrement drawer is inserted into the main body, the excrement storage space may be located below the discharge port. Various other embodiments are possible.

Description

pet waste disposal device

[0001] The present invention relates to a pet waste disposal device.

[0002]

[0003] The global market size and value of pet waste disposal devices is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% through 2027. This means that the growing need for devices for pet care is expected to fuel the growth of the related product industry.

[0004] Among devices for pet care, the market for self-cleaning cat litter boxes is expanding, as they can help pet owners maintain their cats' hygiene even under time constraints.

[0005] Cats use dedicated litter boxes filled with litter, but the hassle of scooping out their waste and cleaning up the litter every time can be inconvenient. Therefore, one of the biggest concerns for cat owners is the need for a litter box that addresses litter management.

[0006] As a conventional technology for handling excrement through self-cleaning, referring to the patent documents described below, the conventional excrement handling device is manufactured in a semicircular shape for rotation and performs cleaning and flattening work while rotating around the central axis of rotation.

[0007] However, these waste disposal devices have the problem of being too large or too tall for pets to climb up and down.

[0008] (Prior art literature)

[0009] (Patent Document)

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0132210 (Published on October 31, 2018)

[0011] (Patent Document 2) U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2020-0060221 A1 (Published on February 27, 2020)

[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention are intended to solve the above problems, and to provide a pet waste disposal device having a height suitable for use by pets.

[0013] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0014] In order to solve the above-described problem, a pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present invention is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a waste tray and a storage tray separated by a divider, the tray having an arc-shaped lower surface when viewed from the side and a straight line-shaped upper surface connecting both ends of the lower surface; a main body including an arc-shaped inner space in which the tray is positioned, and an outlet formed by being opened in the arc-shaped inner space; a waste drawer configured to be inserted by sliding relative to the main body; And the tray includes a gear assembly including a tray gear installed on the tray and a motor that generates rotational force by an applied power source and a driving gear that transmits rotational force to the tray gear, so that the tray rotates about the center of curvature of the arc shape with respect to the main body about the rotational axis (X), and the rotational axis (X) is located outside the excrement tray and storage tray of the tray when viewed from the side, and the discharge port is located below the rotational axis (X), and when the excrement drawer is inserted into the main body, the excrement storage space can be located below the discharge port.

[0015] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the outlet may include an area that opens horizontally from the rotation axis (X) by a distance (g2) from the rotation axis (X) to the upper surface of the tray.

[0016] In an alternative or additional embodiment, a rail hook comprising a rail and a hook, wherein the rail follows an arc shape of a lower surface of the tray, and the rail is fixed to the tray, the hook is fixed to the body, and the hook is configured to hang over the rail and be slidable along the rail so that the tray does not separate from the body when rotational force is transmitted to the tray by the gear assembly.

[0017] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the divider includes a cover surface that follows the upper surface of the tray and an inclined surface extending downward from the cover surface and having a plurality of slits formed thereon, wherein the excretion tray and the storage tray of the tray have bottom surfaces that are the same plane, but the space can be separated by the divider.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the divider may further include a triangular support that, when coupled to the tray, is positioned on the storage tray and is inclined in a direction opposite to the inclined surface.

[0019] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the divider comprises one or more divider fastening holes formed in the cover surface, the tray comprises one or more tray fastening holes formed at positions corresponding to the one or more divider fastening holes when the divider is connected, and the divider can be secured to the tray by a fastener that penetrates the one or more divider fastening holes and is fitted into each of the one or more tray fastening holes.

[0020] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the tray may further have a guide slot formed on the inner surface along which the inclined surface of the divider can slide.

[0021] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the excrement drawer may further include a sand plate detachably connected to the front to function as a handle for sliding movement of the excrement drawer, the sand plate being configured to slide relative to the front of the body.

[0022] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the arcuate inner space of the body may be formed with a gear connection hole through which a gear assembly is exposed for engaging with a tray gear of the tray.

[0023] Other specific details of the present invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0024]

[0025] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a pet waste disposal device having a height suitable for use by a pet can be provided without narrowing the space of the tray as a place for excrement.

[0026] In addition, a pet waste disposal device can be provided that facilitates management such as sand replacement or cleaning by having an excrement tray as a place for excrement and a storage tray for temporarily storing sand during an operation for excrement disposal share the same flat floor surface.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0028]

[0029] Various aspects are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components generally. In the following examples, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of one or more aspects. However, it will be apparent that such aspects may be practiced without these specific details.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pet waste disposal device (10) viewed from the front according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, with the waste drawer separated, viewed from the front.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear showing the upper housing and the lower housing separated vertically in a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the rear of a pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, with the divider separated.

[0034] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a process in which a pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure performs a rotation or tilting motion to dispose of waste.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the upper housing of a pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the principle of a rail hook that sets a rotation path of a tray according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a divider having a tripod stand according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which a divider having a tripod stand is coupled to a tray according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039]

[0040] Various embodiments and / or aspects are now disclosed with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. The following description and the accompanying drawings detail specific exemplary aspects of one or more aspects. However, these aspects are exemplary, and any of the various methods within the principles of the various aspects may be utilized, and the description is intended to encompass all such aspects and their equivalents. Specifically, the terms "embodiment," "example," "aspect," and "example" as used herein are not intended to imply that any aspect or design described therein is preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

[0041] Hereinafter, regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if a detailed description of a related known technology is judged to obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concepts disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings.

[0042] Although the terms "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements or components, these elements or components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element or component from another. Accordingly, it should be understood that a "first element or component" referred to below may also be a "second element or component" within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be used in their common sense to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise.

[0044] Furthermore, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless otherwise specified or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean either of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, "X employs A or B" can apply to any of these cases. Furthermore, the term "and / or" as used herein should be understood to refer to and include all possible combinations of one or more of the associated items listed.

[0045] Additionally, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" imply the presence of a given feature and / or component, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, components, and / or groups thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified or clear from context to refer to the singular form, the singular form in the specification and claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more."

[0046] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0047] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "on" another element or layer, this includes not only directly on the other element or layer, but also whether or not there are other intervening elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly on" the other element or layer, this means that there are no intervening elements or layers.

[0048] Spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "lower," "above," and "upper" may be used to easily describe the relationship between one component or another as depicted in the drawings. Spatially relative terms should be understood to include different orientations of the component during use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings.

[0049] The purposes and effects of the present invention, as well as the technical configurations for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below, along with the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions in the present invention and may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator.

[0050] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various other forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure the completeness of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure. The present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the contents of this specification.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pet waste disposal device (10) viewed from the front according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front of a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, with the waste drawer (400) separated.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the rear showing the upper housing (110) and the lower housing (120) separated vertically in a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the rear of a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, with the divider (230) separated.

[0055] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrate a process in which a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure performs a tilting motion to dispose of waste.

[0056] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the upper housing (110) of a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of a rail hook (260) that sets a rotation path of a tray (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a pet waste treatment device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0059] A pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a main body (100), a tray (200), a sand board (300), and a waste drawer (400).

[0060] In one embodiment, the main body (100) may include an upper housing (110) and a lower housing (120). The upper housing (110) may be assembled in a manner in which it is stacked on the lower housing (120). A tray (200) may be assembled to the upper housing (110). A sand bed (300) may be assembled to the lower housing (120) so as to be detachably attached to the outside. At least a portion of a waste drawer (400) may be assembled so as to be inserted into the interior of the lower housing (120). The waste drawer (400) may slide forward and backward with respect to the main body (100). The waste drawer (400) may be inserted into and stored within the interior of the main body (100).

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the main body (100) may have a hexahedral shape with a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side. However, it is obvious that the main body (100) may have various shapes depending on the embodiment.

[0062] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the main body (100) is manufactured as a separate upper housing (110) and a lower housing (120), but depending on the embodiment, the upper housing (110) and the lower housing (120) may be manufactured as one piece.

[0063] The tray (200) may have an internal space but may have an open upper surface. The tray (200) may contain sand that will clump together with the pet's excrement to facilitate easy disposal of the pet's excrement.

[0064] Here, litter can include clumping litter, non-clumping litter, silica gel litter, and biodegradable litter. For example, clumping litter binds cat waste, making it easier to dispose of. Typically made from a natural mineral called bentonite, it's effective because clumps are easily removed, but it can also stick to the cat's paws and spread. Non-clumping litter can be made primarily from silica gel, paper, or wood. Non-clumping litter can be difficult to clean up because it doesn't clump easily with feces, but it's safer and more environmentally friendly than clumping litter. Silica gel litter effectively absorbs moisture and has excellent odor control. While silica gel litter has a relatively long lifespan, it is expensive and difficult to recycle. Finally, biodegradable sand is made from natural materials like paper, wood, corn, and wheat, and is relatively safe and recyclable, but may have lower odor control and moisture absorption capabilities than other sands.

[0065] The tray (200) may include an excretion tray (210), a storage tray (220), and a divider (230).

[0066] The excrement tray (210) may be a space where a pet urinates or defecates. The storage tray (220) may be a space for storing sand to be supplied to the excrement tray (210) or for temporarily storing clean sand when disposing of excrement in the excrement tray (210).

[0067] The tray (200) may be configured to rotate or tilt forward and backward with respect to the main body (100) or the upper housing (110). As the tray (200) rotates or tilts, the excrement within the tray (200) may be moved to the excrement drawer (400) or the sand within the tray (200) may be leveled.

[0068] The tray (200) may have an arc-shaped lower surface when viewed from the side. The tray (200) may have a straight upper surface when viewed from the side. The tray (200) may have a plate-shaped or bowl-shaped shape that does not include a circular center according to the curvature of the arc of the lower surface when viewed from the side. In other words, when the tray (200) is viewed from the side, the central angle of the arc of the lower surface may be less than 180 degrees.

[0069] The main body (100) into which the tray (200) is assembled may include an arc-shaped internal space (111) into which the tray (200) can be inserted. The arc-shaped internal space (111) may be included in the upper housing (110).

[0070] The arc-shaped inner space (111) may have a shape that follows the arc shape of the lower portion of the tray (200) so that the tray (200) can rotate or tilt therein. An outlet (112) may be formed at the center of the arc-shaped inner space (111). Below the outlet (112), a waste storage space (420) may be located when the waste drawer (400) is fully inserted into the main body (100). When the tray (200) tilts, waste in the tray (200) can fall into the waste storage space (420) through the outlet (112).

[0071] A tray gear (241) that enables the tray (200) to rotate or tilt may be installed on the outer surface of the tray (200). Depending on the embodiment, the tray gear (241) may be placed on both sides of the tray (200).

[0072] In one embodiment, a gear connection hole (113) may be further formed in the arc-shaped inner space (111). The gear connection hole (113) may provide a space in which a gear assembly (240) that engages with a tray gear (241) of a tray (200) is placed. The gear assembly (240) may be exposed to the outside from the arc-shaped inner space (111) through the gear connection hole (113).

[0073] The rotation or tilting of the tray (200) relative to the main body (100) by applying driving force to the tray gear (241) installed on the tray (200) will be described in detail later.

[0074] The divider (230) may function to separate the excretion tray (210) and the storage tray (220) in the tray (200). The divider (230) may be detachably assembled with respect to the tray (200). The excretion tray (210) and the storage tray (220) may substantially mean spaces separated by the divider (230) within the tray (200). Therefore, in the present disclosure, the excretion tray (210) may be intersected and referred to as an excretion space (A1), and the storage tray (220) may be intersected and referred to as a sand storage space (A2).

[0075] The divider (230) may include a cover surface (231) and an inclined surface (232).

[0076] The cover surface (231) may have a shape that follows the upper surface of the tray (200) when the divider (230) is coupled to the tray (200). In other words, the cover surface (231) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may have a shape that has the upper surface component of the main body (100) or the upper housing (110).

[0077] The inclined surface (232) may function to separate the excretion tray (210) and the storage tray (220) from the tray (200). The inclined surface (232) may have a shape that is inclined toward the inside of the tray (200) from the cover surface (231). The lower end of the inclined surface (232) may contact the bottom surface of the tray (200). In other words, the inclined surface (232) may separate the excretion space (A1) and the sand storage space (A2) that share the same plane in the tray (200).

[0078] A filter section (233) may be formed on the inclined surface (232). The filter section (233) may include a plurality of through openings, such as a plurality of holes or slits, that connect the excrement tray (210) and the storage tray (220). These plurality of through openings may have a size that allows sand contained in the tray (200) to pass through, but may have a size that does not allow excrement or a solidified excrement mass of excrement and sand to pass through.

[0079] In one embodiment, the divider (230) may include one or more divider fastening holes (234) formed in the cover surface (231). When the tray (200) is viewed from above, the divider fastening holes (234) may be at the same location as the tray fastening holes (201) of the tray (200). A fastener (235) may pass through the divider fastening holes (234) of the divider (230) and be fastened to the tray fastening holes (201) of the tray (200), thereby fixing the divider (230) to the tray (200). For example, after properly positioning the divider (230) on the tray (200), a mechanism may be applied to prevent the fastener (235) from coming off from the divider fastening hole (234) and the tray fastening hole (201) by inserting the fastener (235) into the tray fastening hole (201) while passing through the divider fastening hole (234) and rotating it.

[0080] In one embodiment, a guide slot (202) may be further formed on the inner surface of the tray (200) to guide the coupling of the divider (230). Specifically, the inclined surface (232) of the divider (230) may be configured to slide along the guide slot (202).

[0081] The sand board (300) may have a height lower than the overall height of the main body (100). For example, the sand board (300) may have a height of about half that of the main body (100). The sand board (300) may be used like steps for pets to use the pet waste disposal device (10).

[0082] A pet that has finished defecating in the pet waste disposal device (10) can come down through the sand step (300) and shake off the sand in the tray (200) that has accumulated on its body or paws onto the sand step (300). The sand step (300) can prevent the indoor space where the pet waste disposal device (10) is installed from becoming desertified due to the sand contained in the pet waste disposal device (10).

[0083] The sand platform (300) may include a platform portion (310) and a platform stand (320). The platform stand (320) may have a shape like a box with an open upper surface. The platform portion (310) and the platform stand (320) may be coupled in such a way that the platform portion (310) covers the open upper surface of the platform stand (320). The platform portion (310) may include a plurality of openings or slits. Through the plurality of openings or slits of the platform portion (310), sand stuck on the soles of the pet's feet may fall into the interior of the platform stand (320).

[0084] In one embodiment, the sand bed (300) can be detachably coupled to the main body (100) or the lower housing (120). The sand bed (300) can be detachably coupled to the main body (100), thereby providing convenience in cleaning the sand bed (300). The sand bed (300) can be selectively used depending on the usage environment of the pet waste disposal device (10).

[0085] In one embodiment, the sand plate (300) can be detachably connected to the waste drawer (400). The user can grasp the sand plate (300) and easily slide the waste drawer (400). That is, the sand plate (300) can function as a handle for opening and closing the waste drawer (400) in the main body (100).

[0086] The excrement drawer (400) can provide a space to collect excrement generated by a pet defecating or urinating.

[0087] The excrement drawer (400) can slide forward and backward with respect to the main body (100). The excrement drawer (400) can be inserted into the interior of the main body (100) and stored therein.

[0088] The waste drawer (400) may include a drawer cover (410) and a waste storage space (420). The drawer cover (410) may cover the front of the main body (100). The drawer cover (410) may follow another outer surface of the main body (100) when the waste drawer (400) is fully inserted into the main body (100).

[0089] The excrement storage space (420) may be a space where excrement placed on the tray (200) moves when inserted into the main body (100). Through the tilting motion of the tray (200), excrement in the tray (200) may fall into the excrement storage space (420).

[0090] In one embodiment, the main body (100) may be provided with one or more operation buttons (101) and indicators (102). The operation buttons (101) and indicators (102) may be arranged on the front of the main body (100).

[0091] The operation button (101) may refer to a physical button for operating the pet waste disposal device (10). For example, the operation button (101) may function as a trigger for turning off the power of the pet waste disposal device (10) or causing the pet waste disposal device (10) to dump waste from the tray (200) into the waste drawer (400) and to perform an operation of leveling sand within the tray (200).

[0092] The indicator (102) may be a visual output device that indicates the operating status of the pet waste disposal device (10). The indicator (102) may include an LED light or a display panel. Through the indicator (102), the user of the pet waste disposal device (10) may output a visual object or color that indicates the remaining battery power supply for the pet waste disposal device (10), the remaining amount of sand remaining in the tray (200) (or storage tray (220)), or the amount of waste accumulated in the waste drawer (400).

[0093] In one embodiment, the main body (100) may be equipped with one or more ports (103). The ports (103) may include a power port for supplying power to the main body (100) or charging a battery installed in the main body (100), a network port, and the like. The ports (103) may be arranged on the rear of the main body (100).

[0094] FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b illustrate a process in which a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure performs a rotation or tilting motion to dispose of waste.

[0095] Referring to (a) of FIG. 5a, the tray (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to rotate at least some angle with respect to the rotation axis (X) with respect to the main body (100) or the upper housing (110). When the tray (200) rotates rearward with respect to the rotation axis (X), the tray (200) may be tilted as in (b) of FIG. 5a. When the tray (200) rotates forward with respect to the rotation axis (X), the tray (200) may be tilted as in (c) of FIG. 5b.

[0096] As shown in (a) of Fig. 5a, when a pet defecates or urinates in the excrement tray (210) of the tray (200), the excrement (42) may be formed by clumping together with sand (41). In order to process the excrement (42) placed on the excrement tray (210), the pet excrement disposal device (10) can tilt the tray (200) backward, as shown in (b) of Fig. 5a.

[0097] When the tray (200) is tilted backwards as in (b) of Fig. 5a, the sand (41) in the excrement tray (210) is moved to the storage tray (220), and the excrement (42) can fall into the excrement storage space (420).

[0098] The excrement tray (210) and the storage tray (220) can be separated by a divider (230). A filter section (233) through which only sand (41) can pass can be formed in the divider (230). When the tray (200) is tilted backward, the sand (41) moves to the excrement storage space (420) through the filter section (233), but the excrement (42) cannot pass through the filter section (233), but passes through the discharge port (112) along the inclined surface (232) of the divider (230) by gravity, and can be moved to the excrement storage space (420) located below the discharge port (112).

[0099] When the excrement (42) is moved to the excrement storage space (420) in this way, the tray (200) does not immediately return to its original position, but may be tilted forward, as shown in (c) of Fig. 5b. As the tray (200) is tilted forward, the sand (41) moved to the storage tray (220) when the tray (200) is tilted backward may be moved back to the excrement tray (210).

[0100] When the sand (41) from which the excrement (42) has been removed is moved back to the excrement tray (210), the tray (200) returns to its original position as shown in (d) of Fig. 5b, and the sand (41) in the excrement tray (210) can be arranged flat. The tray (200) can be repeatedly tilted forward and backward to flatten the sand (41). In other words, the tray (200) can be rocked forward and backward to flatten the sand (41). In the rocking to flatten the sand (41), the rocking forward and backward of the tray (200) can be operated so that the angle of inclination becomes gradually smaller.

[0101] In the rotational motion (or tilting motion) of the tray (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described by FIGS. 5A and 5B, the rotational axis (X) of the tray (200) may be located outside the tray (200). In other words, the rotational axis (X) of the tray (200) may be located outside the excretion tray (210) and the storage tray (220).

[0102] The tray (200) may have a lower surface in the shape of an arc when viewed from the side. The center of curvature of the arc of the lower surface of the tray (200) may be the rotation axis (X). The central angle of the arc of the lower surface of the tray (200) is less than 180, and the upper surface may be a straight line connecting the ends of the arc.

[0103] When the rotation axis for tilting the tray (200) is positioned within the tray (200), the tray (200) has a semicircular shape, and the height (h1) of the pet waste disposal device (10) itself may have a height that is not appropriate for the pet.

[0104] In contrast, the tray (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can lower the height (h2) of the pet waste disposal device (10) because it has a bowl shape in which the rotation axis (X) of the rotation or tilting motion is positioned externally.

[0105] That is, in the pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the rotation axis (X) is positioned outside the tray (200) (or the waste tray (210) and the storage tray (220)), so that the height (h2) can be lowered. For example, the height (h2) of the pet waste disposal device (10) can have a height of 15 cm to 20 cm, which is an appropriate height for cats.

[0106] A pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be equipped with a gear assembly (240) to provide driving force for rotating or tilting a tray (200).

[0107] The gear assembly (240) may include a driving gear (242) connected to a motor or actuator that provides rotational force, and an operating gear (243) that transmits the rotational force of the driving gear (242) to a tray gear (241) (see FIG. 2) fixed to the tray (200). The gear assembly (240) may be installed in the main body (100) or the lower housing (120), and the gear assembly (240) may be connected to the tray (200) through a gear connection (113) (see FIG. 2).

[0108] The gear assembly (240) may be positioned adjacent to the discharge port (112). In the illustrated embodiment, the gear assembly (240) may be positioned adjacent to and rearward of the discharge port (112).

[0109] In one embodiment, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5a, the discharge port (112) may include an area that is opened horizontally from the rotation axis (X) by a distance (g2) from the rotation axis (X) to the upper surface of the tray (200).

[0110] If, unlike the present disclosure, the rotation axis (X) is positioned on the tray (200), the discharge port (112) for dropping the excrement (42) must be positioned forward with respect to the rotation axis (X). This is because, in order to drop the excrement (42) placed on the tray (200), the tray (200) must be rotated at least 90 degrees, and even in this case, even if the size of the discharge port (112) or the excrement drawer (400) is secured as much as possible, there is a limitation that each end can only be positioned on the rotation axis (X) and cannot extend deeper into the interior of the main body (100).

[0111] However, in the present disclosure, since the tray (200) has a bowl shape in which the rotation axis (X) is not positioned inside, even when rotated 90 degrees forward, the discharge port (112) can include an area that is opened horizontally from the rotation axis (X) by a distance (g2) to the upper surface of the tray (200). Accordingly, the excrement (42) of the excrement tray (210) can accurately fall into the excrement storage space (420) through the discharge port (112).

[0112] This is because when rotating more than 90 degrees, there is a risk that the sand (41) or excrement (42) inside the tray (200) may fall freely and fall to another location.

[0113] In one embodiment, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5a, the gear assembly (240) may be positioned a predetermined distance (g1) rearward from the rotation axis (X). The predetermined distance (g1) may be greater than or equal to the distance (g2) between the rotation axis (X) and the upper surface of the tray (200). In various embodiments of the present disclosure, since the upper surface of the tray (200) has a bowl shape formed at a position spaced a predetermined distance (g1) away from the rotation axis (X), even if the gear assembly (240) is positioned at a horizontal distance spaced a predetermined distance (g1) away from the rotation axis (X), the tray (200) can rotate rearward by 90 degrees. The tray (200) can sufficiently rotate by 90 degrees to drop the excrement (42) placed on the excrement tray (210) into the excrement storage space (420).

[0114] Since the gear assembly (240) in the pet waste disposal device (10) of the present disclosure can be positioned a certain distance (g1) behind the rotation axis (X), the discharge port (112) and the waste storage space (420) can be positioned below the rotation axis (X) of the tray (200). When the waste storage space (420) is inserted into the main body (100), the waste storage space (420) can have a deep and large space so as to be positioned below the rotation axis (X). The waste storage space (420) can have a deep size with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main body (100) so as to be positioned below the rotation axis (X).

[0115] In this way, the main body (100) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can have a large excrement storage space (420), and the user can flexibly manage the cleaning cycle of the excrement storage space (420).

[0116] Meanwhile, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, a mechanism that enables a rotational motion or tilting motion around a virtual rotational axis (X) without the rotational axis (X) of the pet waste disposal device (10) being provided on the tray (200) will be described.

[0117] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the upper housing (110) of a pet waste disposal device (10) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 can illustrate a state in which the housing on the outermost surface of the tray (200) is removed. Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of a rail hook (260) that sets a rotational path of a tray (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 6, the tray (200) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can tilt or rotate with respect to the main body (100) or the upper housing (110) by means of a gear assembly (240).

[0119] The gear assembly (240) may include a tray gear (241), a main gear (242), and an operating gear (243), and the main gear (242) and the operating gear (243) may be protected within a gear housing (244). The gear housing (244) may be a member that provides a rotation axis of each gear as an object about which the main gear (242) and the operating gear (243) rotate, and allows the gear assembly (240) to be installed in the main body (100) or the lower housing (120).

[0120] The tray gear (241) may be installed on the gear assembly (240). The tray gear (241) may be an arc-shaped gear that follows the lower surface of the tray (200). In one embodiment, the tray gear (241) may be installed on one side or both sides of the gear assembly (240). The gear assembly (240) may be installed on each side on which the tray gear (241) is installed.

[0121] The driving gear (242) may be a gear directly connected to a motor or actuator that provides rotational power. The operating gear (243) may be a gear that transmits the rotational power of the driving gear (242) to the tray gear (241). The speed and power of the rotational or tilting movement of the tray gear (241) can be controlled by using the gear ratio of the driving gear (242) and the operating gear (243).

[0122] In an embodiment where the gear assembly (240) is installed on both sides of the tray (200), the main gear (242) is connected to one shaft, and a motor or actuator may provide rotational force to the shaft to which both main gears (242) are connected.

[0123] In one embodiment, a plurality of wheels (250) may be installed on the lower surface of the tray (200). The plurality of wheels (250) may contact the inner surface of the arc-shaped inner space (111) when the tray (200) is installed in the main body (100) or the upper housing (110), specifically, when it is seated in the arc-shaped inner space (111) of the upper housing (110). The wheels (250) that rotate with respect to the arc-shaped inner space (111) may enable the tray (200) to rotate or tilt with respect to the arc-shaped inner space (111).

[0124] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a rail hook (260) may be installed to connect the tray (200) to the main body (100). The rail hook (260) may include a rail (261) and a hook (262). The rail (261) may have an arc shape along the lower surface of the tray (200). The hook (262) may be configured to hook above or below the rail (261).

[0125] The rail (261) and the hook (262) can each be fixed to the tray (200) at any one time, and the other can be fixed to the main body (100) or a gear assembly (240) fixed to the main body (100). For example, the rail (261) can be fixed to the tray (200) and the main gear (242) can be fixed to the gear assembly (240).

[0126] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, where the rail (261) is fixed to the tray (200) and the hook (262) is fixed to the gear assembly (240), the hook (262) can be positioned to hang over the rail (261).

[0127] Figure 7 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the rail hook (260) viewed from the front, and Figure 7 (b) shows the rail hook (260) from the side.

[0128] Referring to Fig. 7, the hook (262) may have a shape that grips the rail (261). For example, the hook (262) may have a 'ㄷ' or 'U' shape. In other words, the hook (262) may have a groove or slit into which the rail (261) may be inserted. The rail (261) and the hook (262) may be connected in such a way that the rail (261) is inserted into the recessed groove or slot of the hook (262).

[0129] Since the hook (262) is hung on the rail (261), the tray (200) may not be lifted upward relative to the main body (100). Since the rotational force of the main gear (242) and the operating gear (243) acts to push the tray gear (241) upward when the tray gear (241) is acted on, the hook (262) can provide a supporting force that prevents the gear assembly (240) to which the tray gear (241) is fixed from being pushed upward relative to the tray (200) despite the pushing force.

[0130] Since the rail (261) has an arc shape that follows the lower surface of the tray (200), even when the tray (200) rotates or tilts, the tray (200) may not come off because the hook (262) fixed to the main body (100) is caught on the rail (261). In fact, the rail hook (260) can guide the rotational motion of the tray (200).

[0131] In another embodiment, where the rail (261) is fixed to the main body (100) and the hook (262) is fixed to the tray (200), the hook (262) may be positioned to hang under the rail (261). In this embodiment, the tray (200) may not be separated from the main body (100) during a rotational or tilting motion of the tray (200) due to the hook (262) fixed to the tray (200).

[0132] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a divider (230) having a tripod stand (236) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0133] FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which a divider (230) having a tripod stand (236) is coupled to a tray (200) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0134] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a divider (230) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may have a tripod stand (236) at the bottom. The tripod stand (236) may be positioned on the storage tray (220) when the divider (230) is coupled to the tray (200) and may be inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined surface (232).

[0135] In one embodiment, the filter portion (233) may not be formed on the portion of the inclined surface (232) equipped with the tripod stand (236). As can be seen in Fig. 9, since the divider (230) is equipped with the tripod stand (236), when the tray (200) rotates or tilts forward, the sand (41) located in the storage tray (220) can be easily transferred to the excretion tray (210).

[0136] In addition, although the tray (200) is divided into an excrement tray (210) and a storage tray (220) by a divider (230), when the divider (230) is not combined, the excrement tray (210) and the storage tray (220) can have a substantially flat bottom surface (203) of the same plane. The excrement tray (210) and the storage tray (220) can share a flat bottom surface (203). This allows for easy and convenient management of the inside of the tray (200) when replacing or cleaning sand (41).

[0137] A pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure comprises a waste tray (210) and a storage tray (220) separated by a divider (230), the tray (200) having an arc-shaped lower surface when viewed from the side and a straight line-shaped upper surface connecting both ends of the lower surface; a main body (100) including an arc-shaped inner space (111) in which the tray (200) is positioned, and an outlet (112) formed by being opened in the arc-shaped inner space (111); an excrement drawer (400) configured to be inserted by sliding relative to the main body (100); And the tray (200) includes a gear assembly (240) including a tray gear (241) installed on the tray (200) and a motor that generates rotational force by an applied power and a driving gear (242) that transmits rotational force to the tray gear (241) so that the tray (200) rotates about the center of curvature of the arc shape with respect to the main body (100) about the rotational axis (X), and the rotational axis (X) is located outside the excrement tray (210) and storage tray (220) of the tray (200) when viewed from the side, and the discharge port (112) is located below the rotational axis (X), and when the excrement drawer (400) is inserted into the main body (100), the excrement storage space (420) can be located below the discharge port (112).

[0138] In the pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the discharge port (112) may include an area that is opened horizontally from the rotation axis (X) by a distance (g2) from the rotation axis (X) to the upper surface of the tray (200).

[0139] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pet waste disposal device includes a rail hook (260) including a rail (261) and a hook (262), wherein the rail (261) follows an arc shape of a lower surface of the tray (200), and when a rotational force is transmitted to the tray (200) by the gear assembly (240), the rail (261) is fixed to the tray (200) so that the tray (200) does not separate from the main body (100), and the hook (262) is fixed to the main body (100), and the hook (262) can be configured to hang over the rail (261) and slide along the rail (261).

[0140] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pet waste disposal device includes a divider (230) having a cover surface (231) that follows the upper surface of the tray (200) and an inclined surface (232) that extends downward from the cover surface (231) and has a plurality of slits formed therein, and the excrement tray (210) and the storage tray (220) of the tray (200) have a bottom surface (203) of the same plane, but the space can be separated by the divider (230).

[0141] The pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a triangular support (236) that is positioned on the storage tray (220) when the divider (230) is coupled to the tray (200) and is inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined surface (232).

[0142] In the pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the divider includes one or more divider fastening holes (234) formed on the cover surface, the tray (200) includes one or more tray fastening holes (201) formed at positions corresponding to the one or more divider fastening holes (234) when the divider (230) is connected, and the divider (230) can be fixed to the tray (200) by a fastener (235) that penetrates the one or more divider fastening holes (234) and is fitted into each of the one or more tray fastening holes (201).

[0143] In the pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the tray (200) may further have a guide slot (202) formed on the inner surface thereof, through which the inclined surface (232) of the divider (230) can slide.

[0144] In the pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the waste drawer (400) is configured to slide relative to the main body (100) at the front of the main body (100), and may further include a sand plate (300) detachably connected to the front to function as a handle for sliding movement of the waste drawer (400).

[0145] In the pet waste disposal device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a gear connection hole (113) through which a gear assembly (240) is exposed may be formed in the arc-shaped inner space (111) of the main body (100) to engage with the tray gear (241) of the tray (200).

[0146] The description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is to be construed in the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0147]

[0148] (Explanation of symbols)

[0149] 10: Pet waste disposal device 100: Main body

[0150] 110: Upper housing 120: Lower housing

[0151] 200: Tray 210: Excretion Tray

[0152] 220: Storage tray 230: Divider

[0153] 240: Gear assembly 260: Rail hook

[0154] 300: Sand platform 400: Excrement drawer

[0155]

[0156] The best mode for carrying out the invention as described above has been described.

[0157]

[0158] The present invention can be utilized in the field of pet care.

Claims

1. A tray including an excretion tray and a storage tray separated by a divider, the lower surface having an arc shape when viewed from the side and the upper surface having a straight shape connecting both ends of the lower surface; A body including an arc-shaped internal space in which the tray is positioned, and a discharge port formed by opening in the arc-shaped internal space; A waste drawer configured to be inserted by sliding relative to the above body; and The above tray includes a gear assembly including a tray gear installed on the tray and a motor that generates rotational force by an applied power source and a drive gear that transmits rotational force to the tray gear so that the tray rotates about the rotational axis (X) with respect to the main body about the center of curvature of the arc shape, The above rotation axis (X) is located outside the excretion tray and storage tray of the tray when viewed from the side, and the discharge port is located below the rotation axis (X). When the above excrement drawer is inserted into the above body, the excrement storage space is located below the discharge port. Pet waste disposal device.

2. In paragraph 1, The above discharge port includes an area that is opened horizontally from the rotation axis (X) by a distance (g2) from the rotation axis (X) to the upper surface of the tray. Pet waste disposal device.

3. In paragraph 2, Includes a rail hook including a rail and a hook, The above rail follows the arc shape of the lower surface of the above tray, When rotational force is transmitted to the tray by the gear assembly, the rail is fixed to the tray, the hook is fixed to the body, and the hook is configured to hang over the rail and slide along the rail so that the tray is not separated from the main body. Pet waste disposal device.

4. In paragraph 1, The above divider includes a cover surface that follows the upper surface of the tray and an inclined surface that extends downward from the cover surface and has a plurality of slits formed therein. The excretion tray and the storage tray of the above tray have the same flat bottom surface, but the space is separated by the divider. Pet waste disposal device.

5. In paragraph 4, The above divider, when combined with the tray, further comprises a tripod stand positioned on the storage tray and inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined surface. Pet waste disposal device.

6. In paragraph 5, The above divider includes one or more divider fastening holes formed on the cover surface, The above tray includes one or more tray fastening holes formed at positions corresponding to the one or more divider fastening holes when the divider is connected, The above divider is secured to the tray by a fastener that penetrates the one or more divider fastening holes and is fitted into each of the one or more tray fastening holes. Pet waste disposal device.

7. In paragraph 6, The above tray is formed with a guide slot on the inner surface through which the inclined surface of the divider can slide. Pet waste disposal device.

8. In paragraph 1, The above excrement drawer is configured to slide relative to the main body at the front of the main body, Further comprising a sand plate detachably connected to the front to function as a handle for sliding movement of the excrement drawer. Pet waste disposal device.

9. In paragraph 1, In the above-mentioned arc-shaped internal space of the above-mentioned main body, a gear connection hole is formed through which a gear assembly is exposed to engage with the tray gear of the tray. Pet waste disposal device.

10. A tray including an excretion tray and a storage tray separated by a divider, the lower surface having an arc shape when viewed from the side and the upper surface having a straight shape connecting both ends of the lower surface; A main body including an upper housing including an arc-shaped internal space in which the tray is positioned, and a discharge port formed by being opened in the arc-shaped internal space, and a lower housing disposed below the upper housing; a waste drawer configured to be inserted by sliding movement relative to the lower housing; and The above tray includes a gear assembly including a tray gear installed on the tray and a motor that generates rotational force by an applied power source and a drive gear that transmits rotational force to the tray gear so that the above tray rotates about the rotational axis (X) with respect to the upper housing about the center of curvature of the arc shape, The above rotation axis (X) is located outside the excretion tray and storage tray of the tray when viewed from the side, and the discharge port is located below the rotation axis (X). When the above excrement drawer is inserted into the lower housing, the excrement storage space is located below the discharge port, Includes a rail hook including a rail and a hook, The above rail follows the arc shape of the lower surface of the above tray, When rotational force is transmitted to the tray by the gear assembly, the rail is fixed to the tray, the hook is fixed to the body, and the hook is configured to hang over the rail and slide along the rail so that the tray is not separated from the main body. Pet waste disposal device.

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