Animal Litter Box Liquid Passage Openings to Reduce Granule Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal litter boxes face issues with granules like stone sand being chipped and caught in the openings, leading to hygiene problems and the need for special tools to remove them.

Innovation Solution

The animal litter box design includes a liquid passage portion with openings having a maximum width of 2.5 mm or less, featuring longitudinal and cross ribs to minimize granule clogging, and a curved surface for easy removal of caught granules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the openings are made larger to allow urine passage, then liquid permeability is improved, but granules are more likely to be caught in the openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid permeabilityVSAvoidgranule clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the opening width to 2.5 mm or less, which is smaller than the typical granule size (3-6 mm). This parameter optimization allows urine to pass through while preventing granules from entering the openings, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining liquid permeability and preventing granule clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If granules are caught in the openings, then hygiene deteriorates, but removing caught granules requires special tools and labor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoidgranule removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the opening width (2.5 mm or less) to be smaller than the granule size (3-6 mm) in advance, which prevents granules from being caught in the first place. This proactive design eliminates the need for special removal tools and maintains hygiene without requiring additional labor for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If conventional opening sizes are used, then urine passage is adequate, but granule clogging occurs frequently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine passage efficiencyVSAvoidgranule clogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the opening width to 2.5 mm or less, which is specifically smaller than the granule size (3-6 mm). This parameter adjustment maintains adequate urine passage efficiency while significantly improving resistance to granule clogging, as the narrowed openings physically prevent granules from entering while still allowing liquid flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces granule clogging by half compared to conventional designs, maintains high liquid permeability, and facilitates easy cleaning, thereby enhancing hygiene and reducing offensive odors.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent body for absorbing urine that has passed through the liquid passage portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12414536B2Animal litter box

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 UNI CHARM CORP

AI summary

An animal litter box includes a liquid passage portion having openings through which urine passes downward, and on which granules are disposed. The animal litter box includes an absorbent-body placement portion in which an absorbent body for absorbing the urine that has passed through the liquid passage portion is disposed. Each of the openings extends in a longitudinal direction. A maximum width of the openings in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is equal to or smaller than 2.5 mm.