Expandable Modular Cage Frame Without Horizontal Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pet cages are rigid and not customizable, limiting their adaptability to changing spaces and animal numbers, as they often feature horizontal rods that obstruct animal movement and hinder expansion.
Innovation Solution
A modular frame system comprising vertically connected modules with a metallic mesh upper portion and plastic bottom panel, allowing for expansion in various configurations without horizontal rods, enabling flexible horizontal and vertical expansion and customizable cage sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed-format cages are used, then structural stability is ensured, but adaptability to changing spaces and animal numbers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into multiple independent modules, each comprising a base panel, vertical connecting elements, and mesh panels. These modules can be individually assembled and disassembled to create cages of various sizes and configurations, enabling adaptability to different spaces and animal numbers while maintaining simple individual module structures
Solution Approach 2:
The cage structure transitions from a fixed format to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The vertical connecting elements with positioning protrusions and recesses allow modules to be easily connected and disconnected, enabling the cage to be expanded, contracted, or reconfigured according to changing needs without complex mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If horizontal rods are used in traditional cages, then structural support is provided, but animal movement is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal rods that obstruct animal movement are completely removed from the cage structure. Instead, the invention uses vertical connecting elements positioned at the periphery of modules, with mesh panels forming the walls. This extraction of harmful horizontal elements maintains structural support through the vertical framework while providing unobstructed movement space for animals inside the cage
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support function is shifted from horizontal elements to vertical elements. The vertical connecting elements and mesh panels provide the necessary structural strength and support while occupying the vertical dimension, thereby leaving the horizontal movement space clear for animals
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size modules are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but expansion flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cage system is segmented into standardized modules that can be manufactured uniformly, yet these simple modules can be combined in various numbers and configurations to create expanded cage structures. The vertical connecting elements enable easy connection between modules, providing expansion flexibility without requiring complex or non-standardized components
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized modules are designed with universal connection features (vertical connecting elements with positioning protrusions and recesses) that allow them to serve multiple functions: as individual small cages, as components of larger expanded cages, or in various configurations. This universality enables both manufacturing simplicity through standardization and expansion flexibility through versatile assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A modular frame expandable to form a pet's cage comprises a plurality of modules (20) each of which consists of a substantially quadrangular vertical wall, said modules being arranged adjacently to each other to define the outer shape of the cage, and wherein each vertical edge of each module comprises connecting elements (25, 28, 29, 30, 43) adapted to allow the connection and retention of each vertical wall of a module (20) to a vertical wall of another adjacent module. The modular frame is expandable on a horizontal plane according to a predetermined configuration to form a pet's cage having predetermined shape and dimensions.