Sliding Wire Door Assembly for Animal Crate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional animal cages with hinged doors face limitations such as rapid opening or closing, potential damage to objects, and limited placement due to the need for space to swing open, as well as the inability to remain partially open.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible wire crate with a door assembly featuring interconnected horizontal and vertical wires, allowing sliding movement between open and closed positions, and a latch mechanism that can be pivotably coupled to any location along the wires for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a hinged door is used in conventional cages, then the door can be opened and closed, but the door may swing open or closed too quickly and scratch or damage objects, and requires space to swing open which limits placement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening and closingVSAvoiddamage to objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional hinged door mechanism by using a sliding door that moves horizontally along guide wires instead of swinging on hinges. This reversal of the opening mechanism eliminates the arc motion that causes damage to surrounding objects while maintaining full door functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces guide wires as intermediary elements that constrain and control door movement. These guide wires act as mediators between the door and the cage frame, ensuring the door slides smoothly in a controlled manner rather than swinging freely, thereby preventing damage to objects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a hinged door is used in conventional cages, then the door can be opened and closed, but the door requires placement in a location with enough space to allow the door to swing open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening and closingVSAvoidplacement location

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the door opening mechanism from a swinging motion requiring radial space to a sliding motion requiring linear space along the guide wires. This inversion allows the door to be operated in confined spaces where a hinged door would not fit, significantly improving placement versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a hinged door is used in conventional cages, then the door can be opened and closed, but the door is either in an open position or closed position and cannot remain partially opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening and closingVSAvoiddoor position flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the door position adjustable and holdable at any point along the sliding path. The latch mechanism can engage at multiple positions rather than requiring full open or full closed, allowing the door to remain partially opened as needed. This dynamic positioning capability provides flexibility unavailable in conventional hinged doors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a collapsible wire crate is designed for portability, then the crate can be collapsed to a compact position, but the door mechanism must also be simplified for easy collapse

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddoor mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the door frame structure with the cage frame structure using the same wire material and connection methods. Both the door frame and cage frame are constructed from interconnected wires that can be collapsed together as a single unit, simplifying the overall collapse mechanism while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire construction serves multiple functions: it forms the structural framework of both the cage and door frame, provides the guide wires for door sliding, and enables the collapse mechanism. This universal use of wire elements reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the door mechanism for portable applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11802442B2Animal crate

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 MID WEST METAL PRODS CO INC

AI summary

A door assembly for an animal enclosure includes a door frame and a door each having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. The door frame defines an opening for an animal to pass therethrough, and the door is slidably coupled to the door frame such that it moves between an open position and a closed position relative to the door frame to allow egress and ingress through the opening. A catch member is coupled to the door frame. A latch includes a base member, a bolt, and a lever portion. A first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door are spaced from one another such that the first vertical wire is at a first end of the door and the second vertical wire is at a second end of the door. In the closed position, the bolt is coupled to the first vertical wire.