Pet Care Device with UV Sterilizer and Tool Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet care devices are inadequate in effectively managing pet skin and hair care, leading to issues like matting and increased risk of parasites and bacterial infections, which can result in health problems and higher treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A pet care device with a detachable head containing a sterilizer that uses UV LED light to kill bacteria and viruses, combined with a light diffuser to target specific areas and prevent unnecessary exposure, along with a control system that detects care tools and adjusts sterilizer operation based on their type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV sterilizer is used to kill bacteria and viruses on pet skin, then pet health is improved, but user exposure to harmful UV light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a light diffuser that selectively transmits UV light only to specific areas where care tools are applied, rather than exposing the entire pet skin surface. The diffuser allows UV transmission only in regions corresponding to the care tool application area, thereby maintaining sterilization effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary UV exposure to the pet and user.
Solution Approach 2:
The light diffuser acts as an intermediary component between the UV LED sterilizer and the pet skin. It mediates the UV light transmission by allowing it to pass through only in specific localized areas, thus enabling the sterilization function while reducing harmful UV exposure to minimal necessary levels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple care tools are integrated into the device, then pet care functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single integrated device that combines multiple care tools (combing tool, brushing tool, trimming tool) with a UV sterilizer. All these different care functions are unified in one device, allowing users to perform various pet grooming and sterilization tasks without needing multiple separate tools, thus improving versatility while managing complexity through integration.
3Reliability
If UV LED sterilizer operates continuously, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the UV LED sterilizer to operate only during specific periods when care tools are actually being applied to the pet skin, rather than continuous operation. The controller activates the UV LED based on detection of care tool usage, thereby maintaining effective sterilization during necessary periods while minimizing energy consumption during non-usage periods.
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 device effectively maintains pet skin health by removing bacteria and viruses while minimizing user exposure to UV light and reducing fatigue through ergonomic design, and efficiently manages pet hair with integrated care tools.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting device 223, and a light diffuser 230 covering the light emitting device 223. The plurality of light emitting devices 223 may include a UV LED that emits light in a UV wavelength region
Implementation Method 2
a light diffuser 230 covering the light emitting device 223
Data Source
AI summary
A pet care device may include a removable or swappable care tool mounted on a head. The head may include a sterilizer and a sensor to determine what kind of care tool is mounted. A controller may identify the type of care tool mounted on the head based on a sensing value of the sensor and control the sterilizer based on the identified care tool.