Reversible Litter Box Tray With Identification Mark
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing animal litter boxes, users find it difficult to recognize when to reverse or replace the tray, leading to unnecessary actions and potential urine leakage or odor issues due to delayed replacement.
Innovation Solution
An animal litter box design with a tray that can be oriented in multiple directions, featuring an identification portion on the tray to clearly distinguish between the front and back, allowing users to easily identify when reversal or replacement is necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is made reversible with the same shape at front and back, then the absorbent body can be reused by reversing the tray, but it becomes difficult for users to recognize when to reverse or replace the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing an identification portion (such as a mark or symbol) at a specific location on the tray. This asymmetric feature allows users to easily recognize the front and back of the tray, solving the problem of user confusion while maintaining the reversible design. The identification portion creates a visual difference between otherwise symmetric tray ends.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the tray is made reversible, then the service life of the absorbent body is extended, but users may delay replacement causing urine leakage or odor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing visual indicators (identification portions) that give users information about the tray's orientation and usage status. This feedback mechanism helps users track when the tray has been used and when it needs to be replaced or reversed, ensuring timely maintenance while extending the overall service life through proper reuse.
3Device complexity
If no identification portion is provided on the tray, then the tray structure remains simple, but users cannot easily recognize the front and back of the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing an identification portion (such as a mark or symbol) at a specific location on the tray. This asymmetric feature allows users to easily recognize the front and back of the tray, solving the problem of user confusion while maintaining the reversible design. The identification portion creates a visual difference between otherwise symmetric tray ends.
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 design enables users to accurately determine when to reverse or replace the tray, preventing unnecessary actions and minimizing urine leakage and odor issues.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent body for absorbing urine that has passed through the holes
Data Source
AI summary
An animal litter box includes: a tray housing including a urine passage portion and an insertion opening; and a tray including an absorbent-body placement surface. The urine passage portion has holes through which urine pass downward. The insertion opening is formed in a front surface of the tray housing. On the absorbent-body placement surface, an absorbent body for absorbing urine that has passed through the holes is placed. The tray is housed in the tray housing from the insertion opening in such a way that the tray is capable of being pulled out forward. The tray is capable of being housed in the tray housing with an orientation of the tray in the front-back direction reversed. The tray includes an identification portion in a part of the tray other than the absorbent-body placement surface, and the identification portion is for identifying one side and another side in the front-back direction.