Full-automatic cat litter box

Abstract

A full-automatic cat litter box, comprising a housing base, a waste compartment and a camera device. The waste compartment is arranged on the housing base. The camera device comprises a support arm and a camera assembly, the support arm being arranged on the housing base, and the camera assembly being rotatably arranged on the support arm and located beside an inlet / outlet of the waste compartment. The camera assembly can rotate and is configured to photograph both the interior area of the waste compartment and the area within a preset range outside the waste compartment.

Description

Fully automatic cat litter box

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 28, 2023, with application number 202323604577.7, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of pet supplies, for example, to a fully automatic cat litter box. Background Art

[0003] Cat litter boxes are mainly used as toilet supplies for pet cats, making it convenient to clean the feces and urine of pet cats. Therefore, for users who like to keep pet cats, cat litter boxes are indispensable.

[0004] In the prior art, cat litter boxes require regular cleaning by humans, which is not very intelligent. This is why automatic litter boxes have emerged. However, most of these automatic litter boxes do not have cameras. Even those that do have cameras have fixed viewing angles and a limited field of view, making them incapable of providing real-time observation of the interior and exterior of the litter box.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a fully automatic cat litter box that enables users to observe the internal and external surrounding conditions of the cat litter box in real time, understand the living conditions of the pet, and provide a better user experience.

[0007] One embodiment of the present application provides a fully automatic cat litter box, comprising: an outer shell base; a defecation bin, disposed on the outer shell base; a camera device, comprising a support arm and a camera assembly, wherein the support arm is disposed on the outer shell base, and the camera assembly is disposed on the support arm with an adjustable rotation angle and is located beside the inlet and outlet of the defecation bin, and the camera assembly is rotatable and configured to capture an internal area of ​​the defecation bin and an area within a preset range outside the defecation bin. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG1 is a side view of a fully automatic cat litter box provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0009] FIG2 is a front view of a fully automatic cat litter box provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0010] FIG3 is a top view of a fully automatic cat litter box provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0011] FIG4 is a first structural diagram of an imaging device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0012] FIG5 is a second structural diagram of a camera device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0013] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a camera assembly provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0014] FIG7 is a first exploded schematic diagram of a camera device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0015] FIG8 is a second exploded schematic diagram of a camera device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a camera device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application photographing the interior of a toilet;

[0017] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a shooting range when the camera assembly of a camera device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application is rotated outward by 90°;

[0018] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a shooting range when the camera assembly of a camera device provided in a specific embodiment of the present application is rotated outward 180°.

[0019] In the figure: 1 - housing base; 2 - toilet compartment; 3 - camera device; 21 - inlet and outlet; 31 - support arm; 32 - camera assembly; 311 - first support portion; 312 - second support portion; 313 - first connecting ear; 314 - second connecting ear; 315 - rolling element; 316 - indicator light; 317 - microphone; 318 - display component; 319 - control button; 3131 - fixed axis; 3132 - first rotating groove; 3141 - second rotating groove; 3142 - first stop platform; 3143 - second stop platform; 321 - mounting base; 322 - camera; 323 - driving member; 324 - first gear; 325 - second gear; 326 - lighting component; 3211 - first rotating ring; 3212 - second rotating ring; 3213 - rotation-limiting protrusion; 3214 - socket; 3215 - friction protrusion; 3251-Connection part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on this application. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed or detachable connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this embodiment provides a fully automatic cat litter box that enables users to observe the interior and exterior of the litter box in real time, understand the living conditions of their pets, and provide a better user experience. The fully automatic cat litter box includes a housing base 1, a toilet compartment 2, and a camera device 3.

[0023] 1 and 2 , the toilet compartment 2 is provided on the housing base 1 , and the camera device 3 includes a support arm 31 and a camera assembly 32 . The support arm 31 is provided on the housing base 1 , and the camera assembly 32 is rotatably provided on the support arm 31 and is located beside the inlet and outlet 21 of the toilet compartment 2 . The camera assembly 32 can rotate and can capture the internal area of ​​the toilet compartment 2 and the area within a preset range outside the toilet compartment 2 .

[0024] The fully automatic cat litter box provided in this embodiment allows the user to adjust the camera assembly 32's angle of rotation relative to the support arm 31 to adjust the viewing range. When the camera assembly 32 is rotated to capture the interior of the litter box 2, the user can monitor their pet's toileting habits, the remaining litter in the box, and the operation of the litter box 2. When the camera assembly 32 is capturing the exterior of the litter box 2, the user can monitor the surrounding environment to understand their pet's daily life. Because the camera assembly 32 is located near the entrance 21 of the litter box 2, it does not interfere with the pet's entry and exit. In other words, this fully automatic cat litter box allows the user to observe the interior and exterior of the litter box in real time, understanding their pet's daily life and providing a better user experience.

[0025] In one embodiment, referring to FIG4 , the camera assembly 32 includes a mounting base 321 and a camera 322 mounted on the mounting base 321. The mounting base 321 is rotatably connected to the support arm 31, and the camera 322 is configured to record video. The mounting base 321 provides a mounting base for the camera 322, driving the camera 322 to rotate relative to the support arm 31 to adjust the camera angle, thereby enabling the camera 322 to capture both the interior and exterior of the toilet 2.

[0026] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 6, 7, and 8, a first connecting ear 313 and a second connecting ear 314 are spaced apart on the support arm 31. A rotational space is defined between the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314. The mounting base 321 is located within the rotational space and is rotationally connected to the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314. Placing the mounting base 321 between the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314 ensures rotational stability of the mounting base 321. Furthermore, the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314 provide some protection for the mounting base 321, preventing damage to the camera 322 due to collisions.

[0027] In this embodiment, the mounting seat 321 is drum-shaped, and the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314 are curved to form an arc-shaped rotation space therebetween to adapt to the shape of the mounting seat 321 and ensure smooth rotation of the mounting seat 321 .

[0028] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 6 and 7, the mounting base 321 has a accommodating cavity, and the camera assembly 32 also includes a driving member 323, a first gear 324 and a second gear 325 located in the accommodating cavity. The driving member 323 is fixed in the accommodating cavity, the first gear 324 is fixedly connected to the output end of the driving member 323, the second gear 325 is engaged with the first gear 324 for transmission, and a fixed shaft 3131 is protruded from the first connecting ear 313 or the second connecting ear 314, and the fixed shaft 3131 extends into the accommodating cavity and is fixedly connected to the second gear 325. Because the driver 323 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 321 and the second gear 325 is fixedly connected to the fixed shaft 3131, that is, the second gear 325 is fixed. Therefore, when the driver 323 drives the first gear 324 to rotate, the first gear 324, in meshing with the second gear 325, causes the driver 323 to drive the mounting base 321 as a whole to rotate about the axis of the fixed shaft 3131, thereby rotating the mounting base 321 relative to the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314, thereby adjusting the shooting angle of the camera 322. The gear transmission method provides stable rotation and easy control of the rotation angle.

[0029] In one embodiment, the driving member 323 is a rotary motor, a fixing bracket is provided in the accommodating cavity, and the housing of the rotary motor and the fixing bracket are fixedly connected by fasteners such as bolts.

[0030] In one embodiment, the second gear 325 is fixed to the fixed shaft 3131 via bolts to ensure a secure connection. As shown in FIG7 , a connecting portion 3251 is protruded from the second gear 325 . As shown in FIG8 , the fixed shaft 3131 is disposed on the first connecting lug 313 . The fixed shaft 3131 is a hollow shaft, and the connecting portion 3251 is inserted into the cavity of the fixed shaft 3131 to further enhance the stability of the connection between the second gear 325 and the fixed shaft 3131 .

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, the mounting base 321 includes a first half shell and a second half shell that interlock, forming a receiving cavity between the first and second half shells. Referring to the orientation in Figure 7, the first half shell is on top and the second half shell is on the bottom. The outer top surface of the first half shell is recessed inward, and the camera 322 is located in this recess to protect the camera 322 from damage.

[0032] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 7 and 8, a first rotating ring 3211 and a second rotating ring 3212 are projected from the mounting base 321. A first rotating groove 3132 is provided on the first connecting ear 313, and a second rotating groove 3141 is provided on the second connecting ear 314. The first rotating ring 3211 is secured to and rotationally engages with the first rotating groove 3132, while the second rotating ring 3212 is secured to and rotationally engages with the second rotating groove 3141. In this embodiment, the first rotating ring 3211 and the second rotating ring 3212 are coaxially disposed, and the first rotating groove 3132 and the second rotating groove 3141 are annular grooves. The engagement of the first rotating ring 3211 with the first rotating groove 3132, and the engagement of the second rotating ring 3212 with the second rotating groove 3141, can limit the position of the rotation axis of the mounting base 321, thereby ensuring more stable rotation of the mounting base 321 relative to the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314.

[0033] In one embodiment, referring to FIG8 , a first rotation groove 3132 is disposed around the periphery of the fixed shaft 3131. Referring to FIG7 , the mounting base 321 is provided with an insertion hole 3214 within the first rotation ring 3211. The insertion hole 3214 communicates with the accommodating cavity, and the fixed shaft 3131 extends into the accommodating cavity through the insertion hole 3214 to connect with the second gear 325 within the accommodating cavity. The diameter of the insertion hole 3214 is larger than the diameter of the fixed shaft 3131 to prevent interference between the fixed shaft 3131 and the mounting base 321, thereby ensuring smooth rotation of the mounting base 321.

[0034] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 7 , a plurality of friction protrusions 3215 are circumferentially spaced apart on the inner side of the first rotating ring 3211 . The friction protrusions 3215 can frictionally contact the inner wall of the first rotating groove 3132 , thereby improving the rotational stability of the mounting seat 321 .

[0035] In one embodiment, referring to FIG7 , the second connecting ear 314 is provided with a first stopper 3142 and a second stopper 3143 spaced apart along the circumferential direction within the second rotation groove 3141. Referring to FIG8 , a rotation-limiting protrusion 3213 is provided within the second rotation ring 3212. The rotation-limiting protrusion 3213 can abut or disengage with the first stopper 3142 or the second stopper 3143. The rotation-limiting protrusion 3213, in conjunction with the first stopper 3142 and the second stopper 3143, can limit the rotation angle of the second rotation ring 3212 within the second rotation groove 3141, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the mounting base 321 and preventing overtravel.

[0036] The angle between the first stop platform 3142 and the second stop platform 3143 in the circumferential direction is the rotation angle range of the mounting base 321. For example, the angle between the first stop platform 3142 and the second stop platform 3143 is 180°, and the mounting base 321 can drive the camera 322 to rotate within the range of 0° to 180°.

[0037] As shown in Figure 9, at this time, the camera 322 is facing the inside of the toilet bin 2, and the shooting range of the camera 322 is the range circled by the conical line in Figure 9; as shown in Figure 10, at this time, the mounting base 321 is rotated 90° counterclockwise relative to the state in Figure 9, and the shooting range of the camera 322 is the range circled by the conical line in Figure 10; as shown in Figure 11, at this time, the camera 322 is rotated 180° counterclockwise relative to the state in Figure 9, and the shooting range of the camera 322 is the range circled by the conical line in Figure 11, and the environment around the toilet bin 2 can be captured.

[0038] In one embodiment, the litter box 2 is rotatably mounted on the housing base 1. Referring to Figures 5 and 8 , a rotatable roller 315 is provided on the side of the support arm 31 facing the litter box 2. The support arm 31 rolls against the outer wall of the litter box 2 via the roller 315. The provision of the roller 315 prevents the support arm 31 from interfering with the rotation of the litter box 2, ensuring proper operation of the fully automatic cat litter box.

[0039] In one embodiment, a mounting groove is concavely formed on the support arm 31 , and the rolling body 315 is a roller that is rotatably disposed in the mounting groove.

[0040] In one embodiment, referring to FIG4 , the support arm 31 includes a first support portion 311 and a second support portion 312 connected and arranged at an angle. The first support portion 311 is detachably connected to the housing base 1, and the second support portion 312 is bent relative to the first support portion 311 and extends toward the axis of the toilet compartment 2, so that the mounting base 321 and camera 322 are located adjacent to the entrance 21 of the toilet compartment 2. The detachable connection between the first support portion 311 and the housing base 1 facilitates assembly and subsequent maintenance. For example, the housing base 1 is provided with a slot, and the end of the first support portion 311 is provided with a plug-in portion that can be inserted into the slot.

[0041] In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 , the first connecting ear 313 and the second connecting ear 314 are spaced apart and disposed at an end of the second supporting portion 312 away from the first supporting portion 311 .

[0042] In one embodiment, the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312 have a certain curvature so that the first support portion 311 and the second support portion 312 adapt to the curvature of the outer wall of the toilet bin 2. The support arm 31 can roughly fit the periphery of the toilet bin 2 (as shown in Figure 3), thereby improving the overall aesthetics of the fully automatic cat litter box.

[0043] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 4 and 6 , the camera assembly 32 further includes an illumination component 326 disposed on the mounting base 321. The illumination component 326 provides supplemental lighting for the camera 322, ensuring that the camera 322 can capture clear video images even in low light conditions or at night, thereby ensuring effective monitoring. For example, the illumination component 326 may include a supplemental LED light and an infrared light.

[0044] In one embodiment, referring to FIG4 , the support arm 31 is provided with an indicator light 316 and a microphone 317. The indicator light 316 indicates the operating status of the camera 322, while the microphone 317 collects audio. The indicator light 316 allows the user to determine whether the camera 322 is operating properly, allowing the user to keep abreast of the camera's 322 status. The microphone 317 collects sounds around the litter box, allowing the user to more accurately understand the cat's condition. Furthermore, the microphone 317 enables voice interaction with the cat, further enhancing the litter box's functionality.

[0045] In this embodiment, a control circuit board is also provided within the housing of the mounting base 321. The camera 322, driver 323, indicator light 316, microphone 317, and other components are electrically connected to the control circuit board. The control circuit board can remotely communicate with a mobile device such as a user's mobile phone. The user can send commands to the control circuit board via their mobile phone to control the opening and closing of the driver 323, thereby adjusting the rotation angle of the mounting base 321 and the camera 322's shooting range. The user can adjust the shooting angle in real time as needed. Furthermore, the video images captured by the camera 322 can be remotely transmitted to the user's mobile phone, allowing the user to view the pet cat's daily life in real time.

[0046] In one embodiment, referring to Figures 4 and 6, a display component 318 and a control button 319 are provided on the support arm 31. The display component 318 is configured to display the function menu of the fully automatic cat litter box, and the control button 319 is configured to adjust and execute any function in the function menu. The current working status of the fully automatic cat litter box can be intuitively known through the display component 318, and the functions performed by the fully automatic cat litter box can be switched through the control button 319, making operation more convenient. For example, the display component 318 is a display screen, and the function menu includes function options such as cleaning litter, packing, and shutting down. The control button 319 includes a power on / off button and an adjustment button. The power on / off button can be used to turn the power of the fully automatic cat litter box on or off, and the adjustment button can be used to adjust the function options.

Claims

1. Full-automatic cat litter box, comprising: An outer shell base (1); A feces bin (2) disposed on the outer shell base (1); A camera device (3), including a support arm (31) and a camera assembly (32). The support arm (31) is disposed on the outer shell base (1), and the camera assembly (32) is rotatably disposed on the support arm (31) with an adjustable rotation angle and is located beside the inlet and outlet (21) of the feces bin (2). The camera assembly (32) is rotatable and is configured to capture the internal area of the feces bin (2) and the area within a preset range outside the feces bin (2).

2. The fully automatic litter box according to claim 1, wherein, The camera assembly (32) includes a mounting base (321) and a camera (322) disposed on the mounting base (321). The mounting base (321) is rotatably connected to the support arm (31), and the camera (322) is configured to capture videos.

3. The fully automatic cat litter box according to claim 2, wherein, The support arm (31) is provided with a first connecting ear (313) and a second connecting ear (314) at intervals. A rotation space is defined between the first connecting ear (313) and the second connecting ear (314). The mounting base (321) is located within the rotation space and is rotatably connected to the first connecting ear (313) and the second connecting ear (314).

4. The fully automatic cat litter box according to claim 3, wherein, The mounting base (321) has a receiving cavity. The camera assembly (32) further includes a driving member (323), a first gear (324), and a second gear (325) located within the receiving cavity. The driving member (323) is fixed within the receiving cavity. The first gear (324) is fixedly connected to the output end of the driving member (323). The second gear (325) is in meshing transmission with the first gear (324). A fixed shaft (3131) protrudes from the first connecting ear (313) or the second connecting ear (314). The fixed shaft (3131) is placed within the receiving cavity and is fixedly connected to the second gear (325).

5. The fully automatic cat litter box according to claim 3, wherein, The mounting base (321) protrudes with a first rotating ring (3211) and a second rotating ring (3212). The first connecting ear (313) is provided with a first rotating groove (3132), and the second connecting ear (314) is provided with a second rotating groove (3141). The first rotating ring (3211) is clamped within the first rotating groove (3132) and is in rotational cooperation with the first rotating groove (3132). The second rotating ring (3212) is clamped within the second rotating groove (3141) and is in rotational cooperation with the second rotating groove (3141).

6. The fully automatic cat litter box according to claim 5, wherein, The second connecting ear (314) is provided with a first stop platform (3142) and a second stop platform (3143) at intervals along the circumferential direction within the second rotating groove (3141). A rotation-limiting protrusion (3213) is provided within the second rotating ring (3212). The rotation-limiting protrusion (3213) is configured to abut against or separate from the first stop platform (3142) or the second stop platform (3143).

7. The fully automatic cat litter box according to claim 3, wherein, The support arm (31) includes a first support portion (311) and a second support portion (312) that are connected and arranged at an angle. The first support portion (311) is detachably connected to the housing base (1). The second support portion (312) bends and extends in the axial direction of the litter box (2) relative to the first support portion (311). The first connecting ear (313) and the second connecting ear (314) are spaced apart and arranged at one end of the second support portion (312) away from the first support portion (311).

8. The fully automatic cat litter box according to claim 2, wherein, The camera assembly (32) further includes an illumination component (326) disposed on the mounting base (321). The illumination component (326) is configured to provide supplementary light to the camera (322). An indicator light (316) and a microphone (317) are disposed on the support arm (31). The indicator light (316) is configured to indicate the working state of the camera (322), and the microphone (317) is configured to collect audio.

9. The fully automatic cat litter box according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The litter box (2) is rotatably disposed on the housing base (1). A rotatable rolling body (315) is disposed on one side of the support arm (31) facing the litter box (2). The support arm (31) is in rolling cooperation with the outer wall of the litter box (2) through the rolling body (315).

10. The fully automatic cat litter box according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein, A display component (318) and control buttons (319) are disposed on the support arm (31). The display component (318) is configured to display the function menu of the fully automatic litter box, and the control buttons (319) are configured to adjust and execute any one of the functions in the function menu.

Images