Pet Crate Door Lock Assembly for Corner Gap Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locks for pet crates are prone to deformation and gap formation at the upper and lower corners due to external forces, especially when large dogs are kept inside.
Innovation Solution
A door lock system for pet crates comprising a first locking assembly with mounting rods, a rotating rod, handle, and hooks, and a second locking assembly with mounting seats and a slider, which cooperatively engage with the crate body to stabilize and lock the door, preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a door lock is provided in the middle of the crate door, then the locking function is achieved, but the upper and lower corners of the crate door are prone to deforming and forming gaps under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system is divided into multiple independent locking points: a first locking assembly positioned at the middle of the door and a second locking assembly positioned at the corners. This segmentation allows each locking point to independently perform its function, with the middle lock providing easy operation and the corner locks providing structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces corner locking assemblies as intermediary structures that connect the door body to the crate body at the corner positions. These intermediary locking mechanisms transfer and distribute external forces away from the door corners, preventing deformation while maintaining the simplicity of the middle locking mechanism.
2Device complexity
If a simple middle locking mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the door body becomes prone to deformation under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is segmented into multiple independent assemblies (first locking assembly at the middle and second locking assembly at corners), each with relatively simple structures. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high strength through distributed locking points without requiring any single component to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple locking functions into a unified system where the first locking assembly (for easy operation) and the second locking assembly (for structural support) work together. This combination achieves both simplicity and strength by distributing the functional requirements across multiple coordinated components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the door lock is positioned only in the middle, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but gaps form at the upper and lower corners under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into modular assembly steps where the first locking assembly and second locking assembly can be manufactured separately and then installed at different positions. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable gap prevention through the corner locking assemblies that specifically address the gap formation issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the second locking assembly specifically at the corner regions where gaps are most likely to form. This localized approach ensures high reliability at critical areas (corners) while keeping the overall manufacturing process simple through standardized modular components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to the field of pet supplies, and in particular, to a door lock for a pet crate. The door lock for a pet crate provided in the present disclosure includes a crate body provided with a door opening; a door body including an end rotatably connected to a side of the door opening; a first locking assembly connected to the door body; and a second locking assembly connected to the door body or a side of the crate body adjacent to the door body.