Pet Portal With Flexible Baffle Sheets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pet doors often allow drafts, insects, and debris to enter homes due to their design, and existing solutions either break easily or require human intervention for operation, failing to provide a reliable and energy-efficient pet portal.

Innovation Solution

A pet portal using dual sets of flexible, thermoplastic rubber baffle sheets with triangular flaps that bias to a closed position, forming a trap tunnel to prevent outdoor environment entry, allowing easy pet passage without human interaction or accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional pet door with a rigid flap is used, then pets can easily enter and exit, but drafts, outdoor environment, and insects can enter the house

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepet passageVSAvoiddrafts and insects entering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pet portal divides the opening into multiple segments using dual sets of baffle sheets with triangular flaps that can independently flex and seal. Each baffle sheet acts as an independent sealing element, creating multiple barriers against drafts and insects while allowing pet passage through the segmented structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible baffle sheets made of thin material that can bend and conform to the opening. These flexible baffles flex inward and outward as pets pass through, then return to their closed position to seal the opening, providing both ease of passage and effective sealing against harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid flap is used to seal the opening, then drafts are minimized, but the flap breaks over time and requires human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrafts blockedVSAvoidflap durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a static rigid flap to dynamic flexible baffle sheets that can flex and move. The baffles are designed to flex inward and outward as pets pass through, then automatically return to their closed sealing position without breaking or requiring human intervention, significantly improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the sealing element from rigid to flexible. By using flexible baffle sheets with specific material properties, the system maintains sealing effectiveness while gaining durability and resistance to breaking under repeated use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If an opening without cover is used, then pets can easily pass through, but insects and outdoor environment enter easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepet passageVSAvoidinsects entering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary sealing action by positioning the flexible baffle sheets in a closed position before pet passage. The baffles are pre-configured to seal the opening, and only flex open when needed for pet passage, then automatically return to sealing position, preventing insects from entering while maintaining easy pet access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of energy

If a trap tunnel with dual flush baffle sheets is used, then energy is saved by maintaining temperature, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy savingVSAvoidbaffle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into the dual flush baffle sheet structure. The same flexible baffles that seal against drafts also create the trap tunnel configuration for thermal insulation. By combining the sealing function with the thermal barrier function in a single integrated structure, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving both energy savings and effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution effectively seals out weather, insects, and debris while allowing pets to easily enter and exit, maintaining a comfortable indoor environment and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The baffle design is biased to be in the closed orientation, with the triangular flaps sealing as they mate with one another, except when a pet is passing through

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

which is cut in such a way that it flexes both inward and outward as a cat/small pet comes and goes through it, after which the baffle springs back into place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring back: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 3

maintaining a constant and comfortable temperature inside the house all year long (thus, saving valuable energy and money)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11840880B2Pet portal

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 DAISY PET PROD LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a pet portal that allows various sizes of pets to easily enter/exit a house through a baffle opening and trap tunnel. The baffle opening made out of a flexible insulating material that bounces back into its original shape after being disturbed when an animal passes through the portal. While in the closed orientation, the baffle material blocks the outdoor environment, maintaining a constant and comfortable temperature inside the house and prevent entry of insects.