Pet cage floor protector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pet kennels placed directly on the floor face issues with hygiene, cleanliness, and wear and tear due to direct contact with the floor, and existing solutions like mats are inconvenient and unstable.
Innovation Solution
A detachable floor protector with a padding base and corner inserts that securely attaches to the kennel, preventing damage to both the kennel and flooring, featuring an elastic liner and reinforced corners for stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cloth or mat is placed under the kennel, then the kennel is protected from floor damage, but the mat shifts with movement and cannot be easily transported
Solution Approach 1:
The floor protector is divided into multiple independent corner inserts that can be separately attached to the kennel base. Each corner insert is a discrete component that can be individually positioned and secured, allowing the system to adapt to different kennel shapes and sizes while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner inserts are designed to fit within recesses or openings in the kennel base structure, creating a nested configuration where the protective elements are integrated into the kennel's own geometry. This nesting ensures stable positioning while allowing easy removal and transport of the entire protector assembly.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cloth or mat is placed under the kennel, then the kennel is protected from floor damage, but the mat fails to stay securely in place
Solution Approach 1:
The floor protector applies localized protection at the four corners of the kennel base, where damage is most likely to occur. By concentrating protective material and structure at these critical locations rather than providing uniform coverage, the design achieves maximum protection with minimum material usage, and the corner inserts are positioned to prevent shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner inserts are pre-shaped and pre-positioned to fit into specific recesses in the kennel base before the kennel is placed on the floor. This preliminary configuration ensures that once installed, the protector remains stable and does not shift during use, as the corners are already locked into their protective positions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the kennel is placed directly on the floor, then it is convenient and cost-effective, but hygiene and cleanliness are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The corner inserts serve as an intermediary layer between the kennel base and the floor. This intermediate protective element prevents direct contact between the kennel and the floor surface, thereby preventing contamination of the floor by pet accidents, urine, or other waste materials, while also protecting the kennel from floor damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor protector uses inexpensive materials such as foam, rubber, or plastic for the corner inserts, which can be easily replaced if worn or contaminated. These disposable or easily replaceable protective elements provide hygienic separation at a low cost, addressing both the hygiene concern and the cost-effectiveness requirement.
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 floor protector effectively prevents scratches and damage to flooring while maintaining cleanliness and stability, providing a secure and easy-to-clean solution for pet kennels.
Implementation Method 1
The padding comprises an elastic liner attached to a perimeter of the base. The elastic liner is structured to securely grasp a lower portion of the pet cage walls.
Data Source
AI summary
A floor protector for a pet cage is disclosed. The floor protector includes a padding configured to underlay the base of the pet cage and multiple corner inserts. The padding comprises a base and a wall attached to a perimeter of the base. The wall extends perpendicularly upwards from the base and comprises an elastic liner attached lengthwise to the wall. The padding comprises an opening defined by the wall opposite to the base. The padding comprises corners, where each corner is defined by an intersection of two wall sections that are located adjacent to each other and the base. Each of the corners comprise a pocket. Each corner insert is configured to be positioned within a corresponding one of the pockets. The corner inserts are configured to support and uphold the wall, and are further configured to maintain the padding's shape and provide structural reinforcement to the corners.