Automatic Locking Pivot Joint for Reconfigurable Pet Potty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indoor pet potty systems are difficult to transport, maintain, and use effectively, often resulting in pets accidentally using them incorrectly, leading to indoor accidents.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable pet potty system with pivot joints that automatically lock into use and storage configurations, allowing easy transition between the two, featuring a base frame and wall frames that pivot relative to each other, with a locking mechanism to prevent unintentional transformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pet potty system is made reconfigurable to facilitate transport and storage, then ease of transport and storage is improved, but the system may unintentionally transform between configurations leading to reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic joints that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The joints include movable components such as cam mechanisms and spring-loaded latches that enable the frame to be reconfigured from storage to use configuration while maintaining stability when locked
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking mechanism uses spring-loaded components and cam surfaces that automatically engage when the frame reaches its intended configuration. The system self-locks without requiring user intervention, detecting the configuration state through the mechanical interaction of the joint components
2Reliability
If conventional pet potty devices are designed with fixed structures for stability, then reliability is improved, but difficulty in transport and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pet potty system is divided into multiple separable frame members connected by joints. The frame includes a first frame member, second frame member, and third frame member that can be relative to each other, allowing the structure to be segmented for compact folding while maintaining stability when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members are designed to nest within each other when folded to the storage configuration. The joints allow one frame member to be positioned inside or alongside another, minimizing the overall footprint for transport and storage
3Ease of operation
If the pet potty system allows easy reconfiguration between configurations, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended transformations may occur reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism includes spring-loaded components that continuously apply a locking force to prevent unintended transformation. The cam surfaces and latches are pre-positioned to engage automatically when the frame reaches its intended configuration, counteracting any forces that might cause accidental reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The joint mechanism provides mechanical feedback through the engagement of cam surfaces and latches that indicate when the frame is properly locked in its intended configuration. The spring-loaded components provide tactile and visual confirmation that the system is securely locked
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic locking joint for use with a reconfigurable device to permit the device to be selectively reconfigurable between various configurations.