Tool-Free Animal Cage Assembly via Peg-and-Opening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal enclosures require tools and fasteners for assembly, making them inconvenient and costly for pet owners, often necessitating additional time and resources, especially when tools or fasteners are missing.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure assembly method that uses pegs and openings to couple components without the need for tools or fasteners, allowing for easy assembly by a single person, reducing manufacturing and sales costs by eliminating the need for tools and fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners and tools are used for assembly, then the enclosure structure is secure and stable, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires additional tools and fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fastening function directly into the structural components by integrating recesses and protrusions into the cage panels and frames. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners and tools, allowing the structural elements themselves to perform both structural and fastening functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure assembly performs self-fastening through the integrated recess-protrusion mechanism. The components automatically secure to each other without requiring external tools or separate fastening operations, making the assembly process self-service and eliminating the need for additional fasteners.
2Ease of operation
If tools and fasteners are provided with the cage, then assembly is possible, but the cost increases and assembly requires more time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate fasteners and tools from the assembly system. By removing these additional components entirely and integrating their function into the structural elements, the design simplifies the assembly process and reduces the time and effort required.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is divided into modular panels and frames with standardized recess-protrusion interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be independently assembled through simple alignment and engagement, reducing assembly time and effort while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If screws and threaded inserts are used to connect panels, then the connection is strong and durable, but the assembly requires multiple people and proper tools
Solution Approach 1:
The recess-protrusion mechanism enables self-aligning and self-securing connections. The protrusions guide the panels into proper alignment while the recesses automatically capture them, creating strong connections without requiring manual alignment or specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection function is merged into the structural components themselves. The recesses and protrusions are integral parts of the panels and frames, combining the structural and fastening functions into unified elements that provide both strength and assembly simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of forming an enclosure assembly without using tools or fasteners to complete the assembly. The method includes forming a base from a side support, front support, and a plurality of casters. A door assembly and back wall are coupled to the base by aligning a plurality of pegs therefrom with corresponding openings defined in the base. A plurality of protruding wires of a bottom wall are aligned and inserted into corresponding openings defined in the door assembly and back wall. In addition, a plurality of pegs that protrude from a side wall are inserted into a plurality of corresponding openings defined in the door assembly and back wall such that the side wall couples to the door assembly and back wall. The method also includes coupling a top wall to the door assembly, side wall, and back wall. A shelf assembly can be coupled to the side wall and/or back wall, and a ramp can be pivotably coupled to the shelf assembly.