Adjustable Animal Support Frame for Mobility and Bladder Expression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobility-impaired animals face challenges with potty and bladder expression due to limited effective support and mobility aids, leading to messy, time-consuming, and risky procedures for both animals and owners, with a high euthanasia rate.
Innovation Solution
A modular, adjustable animal support device with a frame and sling or hammock system that accommodates different animal sizes, providing weight support and mobility assistance, allowing for easy potty and bladder expression in both stationary and mobile forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If wheelchairs are used to assist mobility, then mobility support is improved, but bladder expression and aiding defecation become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a mobility assistance section (frame with legs and base) and a bladder expression section (support device that can be positioned and adjusted independently). This segmentation allows the device to provide mobility support while maintaining easy access for bladder expression procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is made adjustable with height and position modifications, allowing it to adapt to different animal sizes and procedural needs. The adjustable nature enables the device to transition between providing mobility support and facilitating bladder expression, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If harnesses and slings are used to support animals, then ease of handling is improved, but they do not support the animal's weight and are cumbersome to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of mobility assistance and weight support into a single integrated device. The frame structure provides both the handling ease of a harness while simultaneously offering weight-bearing capability through its legs and base, eliminating the need for separate equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device acts as an intermediary between the animal and the owner, providing weight support through the frame structure while maintaining ease of handling. The device mediates the interaction by bearing the animal's weight, reducing the physical burden on the owner while keeping the animal accessible for care.
3Ease of operation
If diapers or potty pads are used, then bladder expression is facilitated, but they do not assist with mobility and are messy
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mobility assistance through its frame and base structure, supports the animal's weight, and facilitates bladder expression through the positioned support device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diapers or potty pads while maintaining cleanliness.
4Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-size frame is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate animals of different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates adjustable legs and support devices that can be modified in height and position. This dynamic adjustability allows a single frame design to accommodate animals of various sizes while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes for the base components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows changes in key parameters such as leg height, support device position, and overall frame configuration. These parameter adjustments enable the same manufactured frame to adapt to different animal sizes and types, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobility impaired animal potty and bladder expression station for dogs and other suitable animals. The station provides structural support for the dog's weight, are quick and easy to use and clean, allow a natural position for the dog to go potty, allow one person to easily express the dog's bladder with the dog standing, and aid with mobility, exercise, and rehab. The station can be either stationary or mobile. Pet owners can either place their dog in the device or walk them into the device with a sling, harness, or hammock. The devices are adjustable to fit dogs of all sizes, the sling, harness, and hammock are removable and washable, and they maintain the dog in a stable and comfortable position. The devices are collapsible and easily storable, they are light weight, and they allow both male and female dog postures for potty.