Animal Transport Box With Rodent-Proof Grid And Detachable Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal transport boxes fail to prevent rodents and other small prey from escaping or entering the house through the cat flap, leading to unwanted animals inside the home.
Innovation Solution
A box design featuring a rodent-proof grid on at least one side wall or lid, a detachable side wall for secure placement against a cat flap, and a built-in rodent trap to ensure captured prey cannot escape, combined with a feeding device and ventilated structure to maintain the cat's comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mesh panel box is used to allow cat entry/exit, then the cat can freely enter and exit the box, but rodents can escape through the mesh and enter the house
Solution Approach 1:
The box is divided into distinct functional zones: a cat access area with mesh panels for ventilation and visibility, and a rodent containment area with solid rodent-proof walls. The detachable side wall creates a separable barrier that allows the cat to access the box while preventing rodents from reaching the mesh escape routes.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable side wall acts as an intermediary element between the cat access zone and the rodent containment zone. When attached, it blocks the path rodents would take to reach the mesh panels. When detached, it allows the cat to enter the box without obstruction.
2Reliability
If the box is placed against a cat flap to prevent rodent entry, then rodents cannot enter through the gap, but the cat cannot access the box easily
Solution Approach 1:
The side wall is designed to be detachable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position. When attached, it seals the gap between the box and cat flap to prevent rodent entry. When detached, it opens a wide passage for the cat to easily enter the box.
3Reliability
If a rodent trap is added to the box to catch escaped rodents, then the box structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rodent trap is integrated into the base of the box, merging the containment function and the trapping function into a single unified structure. The trap chamber is formed as part of the box floor, eliminating the need for separate trapping devices and reducing overall structural complexity.
4Ease of operation
If a detachable side wall is used to allow cat entry, then the cat can easily access the box, but animals in the box could run out through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the box have different properties: the side facing the cat flap has a detachable wall for easy cat access, while the opposite side and top have fixed rodent-proof mesh and solid panels that prevent any animal escape. The feeding device area has controlled openings that allow mouse access but prevent cat injury.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a box (1) for transporting and/or housing an animal, comprising a base (2), a lid (3), several side walls (5a-d) and at least one lying area (11a, 11b), wherein a flap (4) through which the animal can enter the box is arranged on at least one side wall and/or the lid, wherein a close-meshed and/or rodent-proof grid (15) is arranged on at least one side wall and/or the lid of the box and wherein at least a part of one of the side walls is detachable from the box, wherein a rodent trap (13) is arranged in the box.