Pet Door Enclosure With Inverted Hooks For Deformation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet door systems in pet crates are not strong enough to withstand the force of strong animals, as they are typically attached to the frame only at the pivot axis and lack secure attachment at the upper and lower corners, leading to potential deformation.
Innovation Solution
A pet door enclosure system with a frame and door made of interconnected vertical and horizontal wire rods, featuring inverted hooks that engage with the horizontal wire rods to strengthen the door, allowing it to pivot and lock securely, and a latch for additional security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is attached to the frame only at the pivot axis and latch, then the door can be easily opened and closed, but the door lacks sufficient strength and may be permanently deformed when the animal pushes on it
Solution Approach 1:
The door combines multiple attachment mechanisms (pivot axis hinge, latch, and corner hooks) into a unified structure that achieves both ease of operation and strength. The hooks at upper and lower corners work together with the pivot hinge to distribute forces across multiple attachment points.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension of attachment by introducing hooks at the upper and lower corners of the door, transforming the attachment system from a single-axis pivot to a multi-point distributed attachment system that engages both vertically and horizontally with the frame.
2Device complexity
If the door is attached only at the pivot axis, then the door structure is simple, but the upper and lower corners are not secured and could be permanently deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The door attachment system is segmented into multiple independent attachment points: the pivot hinge at one side, and separate hooks at the upper and lower corners. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive strength and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different attachment mechanisms at different locations of the door: a pivot hinge at the operational side for easy opening/closing, and fixed hooks at the upper and lower corners for structural strength and deformation prevention.
3Strength
If multiple attachment points are added to strengthen the door, then the door strength increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door design allows the door itself to provide the strengthening hooks as integral components, eliminating the need for separate external attachment devices. The hooks are formed as part of the door structure, so the door serves its own strengthening needs without adding external complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The door system disclosed herein includes a frame and a door fabricated from a plurality of horizontal and vertical wire rods. The door may have an inverted hook which is aligned to a horizontal wire rod of the frame when the door is pivoted to the closed position. To close the door, the door is dropped so that the horizontal wire rod of the frame is traversed into the inverted hook. At this point, the animal inside of the pet crate cannot open the door by pushing the door. Rather, the door must be raised so that the inverted hook clears the horizontal wire rod of the frame to pivot the door to the opened position.