Animal Toy Lighting Module with Accelerometer Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighted objects for animal use lack durability and safety features to prevent lodging in the animal's mouth or throat, and existing solutions do not effectively withstand the abuses of usage.
Innovation Solution
A light-up object with a rounded outer shell made of Thermo Plasticized Rubber (TPR) featuring ridges and depressions for breathability and grip, incorporating a lighting module with an accelerometer-controlled activation system and IPX8 water resistance, allowing for safe and durable interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the object is made smooth and rounded for safety, then it prevents lodging in the animal's mouth, but it reduces grip and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell incorporates ridges and depressions at specific locations to provide grip and structural strength, while the overall rounded shape and smooth surfaces in critical areas prevent lodging in the animal's mouth. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between safety and durability.
2Strength
If the object is made durable and rigid to withstand abuse, then it increases strength, but it increases the risk of lodging in the animal's throat
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shell is designed as a flexible, compliant structure that can deform under pressure, allowing it to withstand abuse without becoming rigid. This flexibility prevents the object from lodging in the animal's throat while maintaining sufficient durability through the shell's overall strength and design.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting is activated continuously for visibility, then illumination is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when motion is detected or at scheduled intervals. This periodic operation maintains adequate visibility when needed while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
4Illumination intensity
If the object is made larger for better visibility, then illumination coverage is improved, but it increases the risk of lodging in the animal's mouth
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple smaller light sources distributed across the object's surface, rather than one large central light. This segmentation allows the object to maintain adequate visibility coverage while keeping individual components small enough to prevent lodging in the animal's mouth.
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
The design ensures the object can accommodate an animal's breathing, provides enhanced grip and durability, and activates lighting only under significant impact, ensuring safe and prolonged usage while maintaining durability and water resistance.
Implementation Method 1
IPX8 water resistance, allowing for safe and durable interaction
Implementation Method 2
A light-up object with a rounded outer shell made of Thermo Plasticized Rubber (TPR) featuring ridges and depressions for breathability and grip
Implementation Method 3
ridges and depressions for breathability and grip
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A light-up object includes a rubberized outer body; a plug in a cavity of the outer body; and a lighting device located in the plug. The light-up object further includes a first inner capsule piece, the first inner capsule piece located in the plug, and a second inner capsule piece located in the cavity of the outer body, the second inner capsule piece shaped to engage with the first inner capsule piece. The first and second inner capsules are threaded to fit together. The outer body includes grooves, running around multiple circumferences of the outer body. The outer body has a size of approximately a baseball; the outer body is shaped approximately like a sphere; and the grooves are at least 5 mm deep in the outer body.