Pet Litter Box Cover Locking Structure for Stable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pet litter boxes suffer from connection methods that loosen over time, are cumbersome to assemble/disassemble, or lack effective sealing, compromising hygiene and user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A pet litter box design featuring a secure connection system with protrusions at multiple abutting positions on the limiting wall and cover, allowing easy assembly/disassembly and pet access, while maintaining stability and preventing shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If latch structures are used to connect the lid and main body, then the connection is initially secure, but the latch loosens over time due to wear, making it easy for the lid to fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional latch mechanical system with a snap-fit connection system. The snap-fit structure uses elastic deformation and geometric interlocking instead of moving latch components, eliminating wear-related loosening while maintaining initial connection security.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit connection incorporates dynamic elements that allow the lid to be easily inserted and removed. The elastic components deform during assembly/disassembly and return to their original shape to maintain a secure connection, providing both ease of operation and connection durability.
2Reliability
If threaded coupling structures are used to connect the lid and main body, then the connection is stable and secure, but the structure is cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, making daily cleaning and maintenance inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded coupling mechanical system with a snap-fit connection. This substitution eliminates the need for threading operations, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining connection stability through elastic interlocking and geometric constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct modular components (lid with protrusion, main body with recess) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows for simple snap-fit connection without complex threading, facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance.
3Device complexity
If simple overlapping structures are used to connect the lid and main body, then the structure is simple, but the lid lacks effective positioning, causing it to shift and making it difficult to form a reliable seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific geometric features (protrusions and recesses) at critical connection points. These localized structural enhancements provide precise positioning and sealing surfaces without complicating the overall simple overlapping structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit connection uses asymmetric protrusion and recess geometries that provide directional positioning and prevent lid shifting. The asymmetric design ensures proper orientation and sealing while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pet litter box, including: a main body, the main body is defined with a first accommodating slot and a first opening. A supporting assembly includes a seat and a limiting wall connected to the seat; the seat is connected to a wall, and the limiting wall includes a first abutting position and a second abutting position. An abutting portion is provided on an outwardly extending edge of the cover. When the cover is connected to the main body, the protrusion abuts against a side of the abutting portion, and a side of the abutting portion closer to the main body abuts against the seat, to lead the cover fix relative to the main body. A second opening is defined; when the cover is connected to the main body, the second opening is configured to allow pets to enter and exit the first receiving slot.