Ring Pet Toy with Ribbed Core for Rolling and Chew Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet toys fail to maintain an animal's interest for extended periods and are prone to destruction from biting and chewing, lacking durability and versatility in play modes.
Innovation Solution
A ring-like pet toy with a resilient foam core surrounded by an elastomeric outboard portion and a fabric inboard portion, featuring a protuberant rib for radial stiffness and a roughened surface for traction, allowing it to roll, float, and withstand chewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional pet toys (sticks, discs) are used, then they can hold an animal's interest for a short time, but they fail to maintain interest for extended periods and are prone to destruction from biting and chewing
Solution Approach 1:
The toy combines multiple materials with different properties: a resilient foam core for durability and buoyancy, an elastomeric outboard portion for traction and chew resistance, and a fabric inboard portion for grip. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by providing both extended playability and resistance to destruction from biting and chewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The toy is divided into distinct functional segments: the core provides structural integrity and buoyancy, the outboard portion provides traction and chew resistance, and the inboard portion provides grip. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function while contributing to overall durability and extended playability.
2Reliability
If a toy is made soft and flexible for comfort, then it can withstand biting and chewing, but it loses the ability to roll effectively along a surface
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the toy have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the outboard portion uses elastomeric material with roughened surface for traction and chew resistance, while the inboard portion uses fabric for grip. The rib structure provides localized radial stiffness to enable rolling while the overall toy remains soft enough to withstand biting.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure creates a curved, arch-like geometry that provides radial stiffness. This curvature allows the toy to maintain its shape and roll effectively along surfaces while the overall soft construction enables it to withstand biting and chewing forces.
3Ease of operation
If a toy is made with a rigid structure for rolling stability, then it can roll effectively along a surface, but it becomes vulnerable to destruction from biting and chewing
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure provides localized radial stiffness only where needed for rolling stability, while the rest of the toy remains soft and resilient. This allows the toy to roll effectively without being vulnerable to destruction from biting and chewing throughout its entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural support function is separated from the outer protective layers. The rib structure provides the necessary stiffness for rolling, while the elastomeric and fabric layers provide protection against biting and chewing, resolving the contradiction between rolling stability and destruction resistance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a toy is made with multiple components for enhanced functionality, then it can provide extended play and water floatation, but it increases the complexity of manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated structure: the core provides both structural integrity and buoyancy for water floatation, while the rib structure provides both radial stiffness for rolling and structural support. The elastomeric and fabric portions are affixed to the core in a single manufacturing process, reducing overall complexity despite the multiple functions.
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 pet toy maintains animal interest through extended rolling and water play, resisting deformation and damage, while the elastomeric and fabric components enhance friction and durability, promoting continued engagement and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient core that can withstand chewing and biting by an animal and which enables the pet toy to float in water
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric outboard portion that can provide friction on a surface to facilitate rolling of the toy along the surface
Implementation Method 3
a fabric inboard portion that is formed to include a protuberant rib which resists deformation of the pet toy in a radial direction toward and away from the center of the toy
Data Source
AI summary
An improved pet toy is generally ring-like and is rollable along a surface, such as the ground. The pet toy includes a resilient foam core that is surrounded by an elastomeric outboard portion and a fabric inboard portion that are affixed to one another and to the core. The outboard portion has a roughened surface that provides traction with the ground and enables the pet toy to roll in various fashions. The fabric inboard portion includes a stiffening structure in the form of a rib that resists deformation of the pet toy in a radial direction toward and away from a center of the toy.