Removable Hide for Small Animal Habitats

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Small animal habitats lack the ability to incorporate customizable and decorative accessories that can be easily attached and detached, limiting the enrichment and aesthetic options for pet owners.

Innovation Solution

A removable hide for small animal habitats featuring interlocking side panels and various coupling mechanisms, such as flexible clips, sliding tabs, and locking discs, that allow for secure attachment and detachment from the habitat base, enabling easy customization and decoration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If accessories are permanently coupled to the habitat, then structural stability is improved, but customization and decoration options deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcustomization options

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hide is divided into multiple detachable side panels that can be individually attached and removed from the habitat base, allowing the structure to be segmented into configurable components that maintain stability when assembled but enable customization when detached

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanisms transition between locked and unlocked states, allowing the hide to dynamically change from a stable attached configuration to a removable detached configuration, enabling both structural integrity during use and flexibility for reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If accessories are detachably coupled to the habitat, then customization options are improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanisms are pre-configured with alignment features and engagement points that guide the side panels into proper positioning before final locking, ensuring stable attachment is achieved through preliminary alignment actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple coupling mechanisms are combined along the edges of the side panels, distributing the attachment points across multiple locations to collectively provide structural stability while maintaining detachability for customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If complex coupling mechanisms are used, then attachment security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional complex mechanical fastening systems are replaced with simplified snap-fit coupling mechanisms that use elastic deformation and geometric interlocking to achieve secure attachment through simple pressing and releasing actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanisms are designed to automatically engage and lock when the side panels are brought into position, eliminating the need for manual fastening operations, while also enabling easy self-release through simple detachment movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11206808B2Removable hide for small animal habitat

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 PETSMART HOME OFFICE INC

AI summary

A hide for a small animal habitat is provided. The hide includes a base, four side panels, a roof and one or more coupling mechanisms for removably coupling the hide to the base. A plurality of coupling mechanisms is contemplated and include tabs having a radially extending flange, an L-shaped in cross section clip, and a rotatable disc.