Modular Pet Door Assembly With Sealed Adjustable Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet doors require significant customization during manufacturing to fit installation locations and often have poor seals that allow moisture, insects, and unwanted animals to enter the home.
Innovation Solution
A modular pet door assembly with a core frame and adjustable extension frames that can be mass-produced in standard sizes, featuring a secure lock, effective seals, and customizable components to fit various installations, including a flap with elastic segments for bending resistance and magnetic seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pet doors are customized significantly during manufacturing to fit installation locations, then the pet door fits appropriately at the installation location, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pet door assembly is divided into separate modular components including a core frame, extension frames, and flaps that can be manufactured independently in standard sizes and then assembled on-site to fit various installation locations and dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The core frame is designed as a universal standardized component that can be used across multiple pet door configurations, reducing manufacturing variety and complexity while maintaining adaptability through combination with different extension frames
2Adaptability or versatility
If extension frames are added to adjust the size and shape of the pet door, then the pet door assembly fits various wall or door configurations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is segmented into a core frame and multiple extension frames that can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing flexible configuration for different installation sizes while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The extension frames are designed to be adjustable and reconfigurable, allowing users to modify the pet door assembly to fit various wall or door configurations by changing the number, size, and arrangement of extension frames
3Productivity
If standard sizes are used for core frame and components, then mass manufacturing efficiency increases and production costs reduce, but the ability to fit specific installation depths decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pet door assembly uses standardized core frames and components that can be mass-produced efficiently, while installation depth is adjusted by adding or removing extension frames, allowing both high manufacturing efficiency and flexible depth customization
Solution Approach 2:
The extension frames are designed with adjustable characteristics that allow users to modify the overall depth of the pet door assembly by changing the number and configuration of extension frames, maintaining adaptability while using standardized base components
4Strength
If the flap is made with rigid material for structural integrity, then the flap maintains its shape and strength, but the flap cannot bend to maintain seal effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is constructed using composite materials that combine rigid structural elements for strength with flexible sealing elements that can bend and deform to maintain an effective seal against moisture and insects, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and seal effectiveness
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
The modular design allows for easy installation and customization, provides enhanced security, prevents unwanted entry, and maintains home insulation by sealing out moisture and insects, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic seals
Implementation Method 2
flap with elastic segments for bending resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A modular pet door for use with a structure including an interior portion, an exterior portion and defining an opening is disclosed. The modular pet door includes an interior frame to seat on the interior portion of the structure, an exterior frame to seat on the exterior portion of the structure and coupled to the exterior frame, an interchangeable core assembly having a flap. The interchangeable core assembly is removably coupled to the interior frame. The flap is operable between an open position and closed position disposed over the opening. The core assembly is configured to permit operation of the flap.