Litter Box Weighing Sensor Inversion for Zero Drift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing litter boxes with weighing sensors for monitoring cat defecation are prone to measurement errors due to uneven ground surfaces, limited functionality on soft or uneven ground, and susceptibility to damage when moved, leading to inaccurate weight measurements.
Innovation Solution
The litter box design includes a weighing sensor connected to the litter box main body and supported by a first supporting leg that is always abutted with a supporting platform, preventing the sensor from being in a suspended state and allowing precise detection of weight changes, even on uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the weighing sensor is arranged in a suspended state between the supporting leg and supporting seat, then the device structure is simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to zero drift on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional supporting leg structure by making the supporting leg fixed to the ground and the supporting seat suspended from it. The weighing sensor is arranged to support the supporting seat from below, converting the sensor from a compressed state to a tensile state, which eliminates zero drift caused by uneven ground and improves measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual reference plane through the fixed supporting leg structure, creating a stable baseline that compensates for ground unevenness. This virtual reference allows the weighing sensor to accurately measure weight changes despite variations in ground surface, effectively copying the function of a perfectly level surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the weighing sensor is arranged in a suspended state, then the device can be placed on various ground surfaces, but the reliability deteriorates because the sensor is susceptible to damage during movement
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the supporting leg structure and arranging the weighing sensor in a tensile state rather than compressed, the sensor becomes more resistant to damage during movement. The fixed supporting leg acts as a rigid protective frame, shielding the sensor from external impacts while maintaining adaptability to various ground surfaces.
3Device complexity
If the weighing sensor is arranged between the supporting leg and supporting seat, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates on soft or uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional arrangement by fixing the supporting leg to the ground and suspending the supporting seat from it. The weighing sensor is positioned to support the seat from below in a tensile configuration, which eliminates the zero drift problem on soft or uneven ground while maintaining simple device structure.
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
This design effectively prevents measurement errors caused by uneven ground and ensures accurate weight detection, while also protecting the weighing sensor from damage during movement, enhancing user experience and application range.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing part of the weighing sensor is configured to sense a change in a weight of the litter box main body
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a false-detection prevention litter box. The litter box includes a litter box main body, a supporting platform, a first supporting leg and a weighing sensor. The weighing sensor includes a connecting part and a sensing part. The sensing part of the weighing sensor is configured to sense a change in a weight of the litter box main body. The connecting part of the weighing sensor is connected to the litter box main body. The sensing part of the weighing sensor is connected to one end of the first supporting leg. The other end of the first supporting leg is abutted with the supporting platform. The weighing sensor will not be in a suspended state and can precisely detect a weight change generated by the litter box main body, which solves the problem of a measurement error of the weighing sensor in the prior art.