Dog Exercise Toy With Nested, Bite-Resistant Hoses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dog toys fail to adequately engage dogs, often leading to boredom and destruction, and previous designs are prone to quick destruction due to structural issues and lack of interest.
Innovation Solution
A dog toy with a one or two hose configuration, featuring a weighted base, flexible plastic tubing to protect silicone hoses, and fan nozzles producing a wide spray, along with stake holes for stability, to enhance engagement and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hose is made flexible to move in random pattern, then dog engagement is improved, but the hose becomes prone to destruction from dog bites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the silicone tubing (inner tube) inside the flexible plastic tubing (outer tube). The inner silicone tube provides the water conduit while the outer plastic tube serves as protective armor against dog bites. This nested structure allows the hose to maintain flexibility for random motion while gaining enhanced durability from the protective outer layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining silicone tubing with flexible plastic tubing to create a hybrid hose structure. The silicone provides water-tight integrity while the flexible plastic adds bite resistance and durability. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties - one for flexibility and one for protection.
2Weight of moving object
If the base is made lightweight for portability, then ease of movement is improved, but the base tips over during use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight by adding weight to the base to counterbalance the upward force generated when the hose moves randomly. The weighted base prevents tipping over by creating a stable center of gravity, effectively countering the destabilizing effect of the moving hose and dog interaction forces.
3Measurement precision
If the nozzle produces a narrow stream, then water targeting precision is improved, but dog engagement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by taking the conventional narrow-stream nozzle approach and reversing it to use a wide fan spray pattern. Instead of concentrating water into a precise narrow stream, the nozzle disperses water across a wide angle, creating a fan-shaped spray that covers more area and provides better cooling coverage while maintaining dog engagement through the challenging wide spray pattern.
4Reliability
If the hose is made heavy for durability, then resistance to destruction is improved, but hose motion capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hose into two separate tubes - an inner silicone tube for water transport and an outer plastic protective tube. This segmentation allows each tube to be optimized for its specific function: the inner tube for fluid flow and the outer tube for mechanical protection, while the combined structure maintains overall flexibility for motion.
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 toy provides sustained interest and durability by offering a wide spray pattern, preventing tipping over, and protecting hoses from damage, thus addressing the engagement and structural weaknesses of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
Free hose ends preferably include a fan nozzle producing a wide spray
Implementation Method 2
The base preferably has a length and width of about 250 mm for stability. The hose(s) move in a random pattern and the weighted base prevents the base from falling over during use.
Implementation Method 3
The silicone tubing is connected to a base to receive a flow of water and the flexible plastic tubing covers the silicone tubing preventing damage
Data Source
AI summary
A dog toy having a one hose configuration or a two hose configuration having fixed ends connected to a base with an inner chamber that can be filled with water or sand and having plurality of stake holes to firmly stake the base to a ground. The hose includes an inner tube carrying water and an outer tube protecting the inner tube from dog bites. Free hose ends preferably include a nozzle producing a wide spray.