Cat Litter Filter Grid for Waste Retention During Inversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing litter box devices are inefficient in separating and removing clumped litter and solid wastes, as they do not effectively retain waste material during inversion for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A litter box device with a housing and a filter member featuring a filter grid that allows litter to flow through while retaining waste material on the grid, enabling easy separation and removal of waste when the device is inverted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing litter box devices are used, then they provide basic waste removal capability, but they are inefficient in separating and removing clumped litter and solid wastes
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the waste removal process into distinct functional components: the housing contains the litter, the filter grid separates waste from clean litter, and the removable filter assembly allows easy extraction. This segmentation enables efficient separation of clumped litter and solid wastes while simplifying the cleaning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter grid acts as an intermediary element between the litter and the waste material. It provides a surface that retains waste while allowing clean litter to pass through, facilitating separation without requiring direct manual handling of waste. The removable filter assembly serves as an intermediary that can be easily detached and cleaned separately.
2Reliability
If existing litter box devices are used, then they contain litter, but they do not effectively retain waste material during inversion for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes inversion as a key operational step. When the housing is inverted, the filter grid effectively retains waste material through its mesh structure, while clean litter falls through. This inversion mechanism provides reliable waste retention without complex locking or sealing systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving the desired function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter grid employs a porous mesh structure that allows it to selectively retain waste material while permitting clean litter to pass through during inversion. The porosity of the grid provides reliable waste retention through physical filtration without requiring additional complex retaining mechanisms.
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
Facilitates efficient separation and removal of waste from litter, simplifying the cleaning process by ensuring waste remains on the filter grid during inversion, thus improving litter box maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
A filter grid is mounted to the perimeter frame and traverses the interior area. Litter positioned in the housing flows through the filter grid such that waste material in the litter remains on the filter grid when the housing is inverted.
Data Source
AI summary
A cat litter holding and cleaning assembly includes a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending between the top and bottom walls. The perimeter wall includes a front side, back side, first lateral side and second lateral side. The front side has an opening extending therethrough for a cat to access an interior of the housing. A filter member is removably mounted in the housing. The filter member includes a perimeter frame bounding an interior area. A filter grid is mounted to the perimeter frame and traverses the interior area. The perimeter frame is extendable across the interior of the housing from the first lateral side to the second side. Litter positioned in the housing flows through the filter grid such that waste material in the litter remains on the filter grid when the housing is inverted.