Hidden Door Connector for Litter Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current litter containers with door assemblies lack an effective and aesthetically pleasing connector system that hides the hooks when viewed from the exterior, compromising user experience and odor control.
Innovation Solution
A door connector system comprising a base portion attached to the interior surface of the litter container's hood and hooks that attach to cylindrical connectors on the door, ensuring the hooks are at least partially hidden and allowing for easy pet access and odor containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If hooks are used to attach the door to the litter container, then the door can be securely connected, but the hooks are visible from the exterior which compromises aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The hook is nested within a cylindrical connector that is attached to the exterior of the litter container. The connector serves as a housing that contains the hook, allowing the hook to be hidden from external view while still performing its attachment function. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by concealing the structural complexity within an aesthetically pleasing exterior component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical connector acts as an intermediary element between the door attachment mechanism and the exterior surface. Instead of having hooks directly visible on the exterior, the connector serves as a mediator that provides a clean exterior appearance while housing the functional hook components inside, thus resolving the aesthetic versus functional contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If a door assembly is added to enable pet access, then convenience is improved, but the complexity of the connector system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into separate functional components: the door itself, the cylindrical connector attached to the container, and the hook that attaches to the door. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by distributing functionality across discrete elements rather than a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical connector serves multiple functions: it provides a clean exterior appearance, houses the attachment hook, and enables easy door installation and removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation for pet access.
Data Source
AI summary
A door connector for a litter container includes a base portion and a hook. The base portion is configured to attach to an interior surface of a hood of the litter container. The hook is configured to attach to a cylindrical connector on the door. The base portion is configured to attach to the interior surface such that when connected the hook is at least partially hidden when viewed from an exterior of the litter container.