Gravity-Fed Pet Feeder With Removable Receptacle and Asymmetric Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic pet feeders and watering devices are prone to becoming insanitary and prone to spilling due to cumbersome cleaning and inadequate engagement mechanisms, leading to improper sanitation and spills when overturned.
Innovation Solution
A gravity-induced automatic animal watering/feeding device featuring a removable and easily cleanable receptacle, with a reservoir that is securely locked to a base member, preventing spills when the device is overturned, and optionally including a water filter module for providing filtered water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bowl is made substantial to structurally support the vessel, then the structural support is improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components: a substantial base member that provides structural support, and a removable receptacle that can be easily cleaned. The receptacle is detachable from the base member, allowing users to remove and clean the receptacle separately without having to disassemble the entire device or struggle with the substantial base structure.
2Ease of operation
If the slot-projection engagement configuration is used to secure the vessel to the bowl, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when overturned
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism uses an asymmetric design where the projection on the base member fits into a specifically shaped slot on the vessel. This asymmetric configuration provides both easy assembly through simple alignment and high reliability by creating a mechanically interlocking structure that resists disengagement even when the device is overturned or subjected to external forces.
3Device complexity
If the vessel and bowl use a simple engagement mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates in preventing spills
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric slot-projection engagement configuration creates a mechanically interlocking structure that is both simple in concept and highly reliable in function. The design uses the asymmetry of the slot and projection shapes to prevent the vessel from detaching, providing spill prevention without adding complex mechanisms such as screws, clips, or multiple engagement points.
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 device maintains sanitation by allowing easy cleaning of the receptacle and minimizes spills when overturned, ensuring that water or food remains contained and accessible to the animal.
Implementation Method 1
the water/food housed by the reservoir automatically passes from the reservoir, by way of the reservoir opening, and is received and collected by the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the water filter module includes a filter ventilation system that displaces water flowing from the reservoir with ambient air such that water housed by the reservoir passes through the water filter module
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a gravity-induced automatic animal watering/feeding device that promotes increased sanitation and minimizes the amount of water/food spilled from the device in the event the device is overturned. More specifically, the animal watering/feeding device presents consumables, including water and animal food, to the animal using a receptacle that is removable from the remainder of the device. Because the receptacle is removable, it is easily replaced and/or removed for cleaning such that sanitation of the animal watering/feeding device is easily maintained. Additionally, selected components of the animal water/feeding device are releasably locked to one another such that the device minimizes the amount of water/food that is spilled from the device in the event it is overturned.