Pet Bowl Lid Synchronization via Removable Joining Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic pet feeders allow pets to access food prematurely due to lid play and timing inaccuracies, leading to unequal feeding times for multiple pets.

Innovation Solution

An automatic animal feeder design featuring two bowls, a base unit, two hinged lids, and a lid control mechanism with a removable joining member that synchronizes the opening of both lids, preventing premature access by ensuring simultaneous opening and enhancing bowl retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a lid is controlled by a timer to open at predetermined times, then feeding timing is automated and convenient, but lid play allows pets to lift the lid slightly and pull the bowl out gradually to access food prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated feeding timingVSAvoidprevention of premature food access

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joining member divides the lid system into interconnected segments, linking both lids together through the bowl so that they function as a unified system rather than independent components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable joining member acts as an intermediary element that connects the two lids and passes through the bowl, creating a mechanical interdependence that prevents the bowl from being extracted without both lids opening simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If both lids are set to open at the same time to feed two cats, then both cats can access food simultaneously, but timer resolution and accuracy differences cause one lid to open minutes before the other, allowing one cat to eat both meals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to feed multiple petsVSAvoidsimultaneous opening accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The joining member is pre-installed on the bowl before the feeding event, establishing the mechanical linkage between lids in advance so that the synchronization constraint is already in place when the timers activate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The joining member creates a mechanical equilibrium system where both lids are held in the closed state with equal force until both timer mechanisms simultaneously trigger the release, ensuring neither lid can open without the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Ease of operation

If the bowl is made removable for easy washing, then cleaning convenience is improved, but pets can gradually extract the bowl from the gap between the lid and feeder by repeatedly pulling on it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebowl removal for washingVSAvoidbowl retention during feeding

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bowl's retention state dynamically changes based on the lid position: when both lids are closed, the joining member secures the bowl firmly; when both lids open simultaneously, the bowl is released for removal, providing conditional retention rather than fixed state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12035696B2Pet bowl with automatic lid

Publication Date: 2024.07.16 PET MATE

AI summary

An automatic animal feeder has two bowls and a base unit which accepts the bowls. Two lids are provided, one for each bowl, which may be closed to cover the bowl and prevent access to it or opened about a hinge means to allow access to the bowl. A lid control mechanism is capable of keeping either lid closed independently or opening either lid independently. A removable joining member is provided that links the two lids so that one lid cannot open unless the other lid can also open.