Digging Barrier for Small Animal Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small animal enclosures lack protection against digging by the animals and predators, as they do not have a separate floor, allowing animals to escape or be accessed by predators through digging under the side wall.
Innovation Solution
A small animal enclosure with a digging barrier protruding from the side wall at an angle, forming a peripheral edge that prevents digging by extending into both the interior and exterior, made from materials that prevent digging, such as wire mesh, and can be detachably connected or integrated with the side wall for enhanced stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the enclosure uses only a vertical side wall without a separate floor, then the structure is simple and easy to assemble, but animals can dig under the side wall to escape or predators can access the animals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the side wall horizontally in the form of a digging barrier that protrudes from the vertical side wall into the ground. This adds a horizontal dimension to the previously vertical structure, creating an L-shaped barrier that prevents animals from digging underneath while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The digging barrier protrudes into the ground in advance, creating a preliminary obstacle before animals can reach the vertical side wall. This preliminary horizontal extension prevents the harmful digging action from occurring at the vertical wall, solving the problem before it can manifest.
2Reliability
If the digging barrier protrudes into the interior of the enclosure, then animals cannot escape, but the barrier occupies space within the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The digging barrier protrudes only partially into the enclosure interior, extending just enough to prevent digging at the critical area near the vertical side wall. This partial extension provides sufficient protection without excessively occupying the enclosure space, balancing security with space utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The enclosure (1) has a side wall (7) extending in height from base, in a usage position of the enclosure. The side wall has a tomb barrier (2) that protrudes from the side wall in an area of a lower edge (8) of side wall elements (3) in the usage position. The tomb barrier is connected with the side wall in an detachable manner. The tomb barrier is formed by a wire grid, and the side wall is curved at a circular ring. The side wall elements are connected with each other in detachable manner. The barrier is designed such that the barrier forms a laminar circular edge in the usage position.