Snap-Fit Rodent Cage Divider for Modular Social Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal cages do not efficiently utilize space for social interaction between laboratory animals while preventing physical contact, and existing divider systems do not save rack space or allow for versatile configurations.
Innovation Solution
A removable divider system with a support structure and snap-fit connection that allows for customizable division of the cage into various configurations, enabling interaction via sight and smell while preventing physical contact, and can be integrated with additional cage features like food troughs and platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable divider is added to prevent physical contact between animals, then animal safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into separate compartments using removable dividers that can be inserted into slots in the support structure. This segmentation allows physical separation of animals while maintaining a simple overall cage design, resolving the contradiction between safety through separation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider system is designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing the cage configuration to be dynamically changed based on experimental needs. The dividers can be easily inserted and removed from the support structure slots, providing flexibility without permanent complex installations.
2Reliability
If animals are placed in separate cages to prevent physical contact, then animal safety is improved, but rack space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple animals are housed within a single cage compartment using dividers, merging the function of what would traditionally require separate cages. This allows social interaction studies while preventing physical contact, and maintains efficient rack space utilization by keeping multiple animals in one cage unit rather than requiring multiple separate cage units.
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 system efficiently uses space for social animal interaction, prevents physical contact, and allows for modular cage configurations, enhancing versatility and space utilization in laboratory settings.
Implementation Method 1
A snap-fit connection detachably connects the divider to the support structure
Data Source
AI summary
An improvement for an animal cage is disclosed. The animal cage may include a first, second, third and fourth vertical wall, each of which is connected to a floor on a first end and includes a top rim opposite to the first end. The improvement includes a support structure and a removable divider. The support structure includes at least one slot, is positioned above the floor and may be connected adjacent to the top rim of the first and second vertical walls. The removable divider is inserted into the slot and extends vertically away from the floor. A snap-fit connection detachably connects the divider to the support structure.