Portable Pet Sanitary Device with Sensor-Triggered Flushing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pet sanitary devices are inadequate for allowing dogs to meet their physiological needs hygienically at home without owner intervention, as they require regular cleaning and are not suitable for dogs, and existing solutions do not address the need for independent waste management.

Innovation Solution

A portable sanitary device equipped with sensors to detect pet excrement and initiate automated flushing using a flushing agent, featuring a wastewater container for on-site disposal, and optional detergent and water supply systems for efficient cleaning, designed for easy mobility and use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a portable sanitary device with automated flushing is provided for pets, then pets can satisfy their physiological needs independently and hygienically at home, but the device complexity increases due to integration of sensors, flushing agent dispensing systems, and wastewater containers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent waste management by petsVSAvoidIntegration of sensors and flushing systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sanitary device enables pets to independently manage their waste needs through automated sensor detection and flushing mechanisms. The sensor detects when the pet has finished defecating and automatically triggers the flushing agent dispensing system, eliminating the need for owner intervention and enabling self-service waste management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor acts as an intermediary between the pet and the flushing system. It detects the pet's presence and waste deposition, then mediates the automatic activation of the flushing agent dispensing mechanism, bridging the gap between pet behavior and automated cleaning response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If excrement remains in litter boxes for regular cleaning, then the device structure remains simple, but hygiene conditions deteriorate requiring frequent manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveHygiene conditionsVSAvoidManual cleaning frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced by an automated sensor-based detection and flushing agent dispensing system. The sensor detects waste deposition and automatically triggers the flushing mechanism, substituting human intervention with an automated electromechanical system that maintains hygiene continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The flushing system operates continuously through automated sensor detection rather than requiring periodic manual cleaning. The sensor monitors the litter box condition in real-time and triggers flushing immediately when waste is detected, ensuring continuous hygiene maintenance without gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a portable sanitary device is designed for mobility, then the device can be used at various locations and during travel, but the volume and weight increase due to integrated wastewater container and flushing systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePortability and location flexibilityVSAvoidIntegrated container and system volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wastewater container, flushing agent storage, sensor system, and structural components are merged into a single integrated portable unit. This consolidation allows the device to function autonomously at various locations without requiring separate supporting infrastructure, achieving portability through unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable sanitary device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unit: waste detection, flushing agent dispensing, wastewater containment, and structural support for the pet. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and supports versatile use across different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables dogs to satisfy their needs independently and hygienically, reducing the need for owner intervention and providing a clean environment, with the portable design allowing use at various locations and during travel, while minimizing waste disposal issues.

Implementation Method 1

with a surface on which pets can climb and on which they can deposit excrement, the sanitary device comprising at least one sensor by means of which the presence of excrement on and/or the Descending of the pet from the surface can be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

a flushing agent can be dispensed onto the surface in such a way that the excrement present thereon can be flushed away from the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

the excrement present thereon can be flushed away from the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

a waste water container in which the excrement washed away from the surface and the flushing agent can be disposed of

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational settling: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2801251B1Sanitary device for domestic animals
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 BALADA LLOBAT MARC
  • EP2801251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2801251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2801251B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sanitary device (1) for pets with a surface (8) which pets can climb on and deposit excrement on, comprising at least one sensor (14) by means of which the presence of excrement on the surface (8) and/or the pet's descent from the surface (8) can be detected, and wherein, upon detection of the presence of excrement on and/or the pet's descent from the surface (8), a rinsing agent can be dispensed onto the surface (8) such that the excrement present thereon is washed away from the surface (8), wherein the sanitary device (1) is designed to be mobile or portable. In particular, pure water or water containing a pet attractant can be used as the rinsing agent.