Modular Animal Habitat with Collapsible Base and Removable Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal habitats lack flexibility in customization, ease of assembly, and maintenance, as they often require expert intervention and cannot be easily reconfigured or cleaned.
Innovation Solution
An animal habitat assembly comprising a system of rods and connectors that can be coupled to form customized structures, with panels that can be easily attached and detached for aesthetics and hygiene, and a collapsible base for storage and transportation, along with ramps for animal access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional animal habitats are constructed with fixed structures, then structural stability is improved, but customization flexibility and ease of assembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The habitat is divided into modular components including panels, connectors, and support structures that can be independently assembled and configured. Each panel is a discrete unit with standardized attachment points, allowing flexible arrangement without requiring complex integrated construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized connectors and attachment mechanisms are designed to work across all panel types and configurations. The universal connector system enables the same hardware to serve multiple functions including structural attachment, panel replacement, and reconfiguration, simplifying the overall assembly process.
2Ease of repair
If panels are permanently attached to the structure, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of maintenance and cleaning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from permanent to dynamic/reversible connections. Panels are attached using removable fasteners that maintain structural integrity during normal use but allow easy detachment for cleaning or replacement, enabling the structure to adapt between stable and maintainable states.
Solution Approach 2:
Panels are designed as replaceable components that can be removed, cleaned or replaced, and reattached to the structure. This allows individual panels to be discarded (removed) and recovered (reattached) without compromising the overall structural integrity of the habitat.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the base structure is rigid and fixed, then stability is improved, but storage and transportation convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The base structure incorporates collapsible or foldable elements that transition between a stable, load-bearing configuration during use and a compact, space-efficient configuration for storage and transportation. The dynamic design maintains structural integrity when assembled while minimizing footprint when disassembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure is designed to collapse into a nested or folded configuration where components fit within each other, similar to nested dolls. This allows the rigid base to be compacted into a small package for storage while maintaining its full rigid form and stability when deployed for use.
Data Source
AI summary
In one configuration, an animal habitat assembly is disclosed having a plurality of connectors that include a body and a plurality of coupling-holes formed therein and a plurality of rods configured to couple the rod with the connector. Accordingly, the plurality of connectors and rods are coupled to create a structure.