Collapsible Pet Crate with Telescopic Frame and Mesh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pet enclosures are often heavy, difficult to operate, aesthetically unpleasing, noisy, and challenging to clean, posing difficulties for both users and pets.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible pet crate assembly featuring a support frame with collapsible vertical members and horizontal members, a mesh network, and a multifunctional handle for easy deployment and collapse, along with secure latch mechanisms and a removable tray for cleanliness, constructed from durable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional materials and structures are used for pet enclosures, then durability and strength are improved, but weight increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into modular components including collapsible vertical members with telescopic sections, separable horizontal members, and interchangeable mesh panels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the telescopic members provide strength when extended while enabling easy collapse when retracted, directly resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical members incorporate telescopic mechanisms with locking and unlocking capabilities, transitioning from static rigid structures to dynamic adjustable elements. When locked, the members provide full structural strength; when unlocked, they collapse smoothly for easy storage and transport, eliminating the trade-off between strength and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If heavy materials are used to ensure durability, then reliability is improved, but weight increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure combines aluminum alloy telescopic members (providing high strength-to-weight ratio and durability) with high-density polyethylene horizontal members (providing corrosion resistance and adequate strength). This composite material strategy achieves reliable durability while minimizing overall weight, enabling easy portability without sacrificing structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure uses mesh networks made from flexible yet durable materials that provide containment functionality with minimal weight. These thin film structures replace heavy solid panels, maintaining reliability through material selection while dramatically reducing weight for improved portability.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple construction methods are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the enclosure into standardized modular components with uniform connection interfaces, the invention achieves both ease of manufacture through repetitive production processes and high assembly precision through consistent mating dimensions. Each module can be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, yet assemble precisely when combined.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic vertical members serve multiple functions - providing structural support, enabling collapse, and incorporating locking mechanisms - all through a single integrated component design. This universality simplifies manufacturing by reducing part variety while maintaining precise assembly through the standardized telescopic-locking interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A collapsible pet crate that is easy to operate, aesthetically pleasing, quiet, light, durable, easy to clean, and safe and comfortable for the animal. Also disclosed herein are methods of operating a collapsible pet crate. The collapsible pet crate disclosed herein can further include one-step operation, environmentally safe and pet-friendly materials, and method to include various pet-friendly accessories.