EveryPet Cat Fountain
The EveryPet Cat Fountain is a water fountain designed for cats with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), or wobbly cat syndrome.
Meet Roly and Poly, the two kittens with cerebellar hypoplasia from Paws and Claws Cat Rescue.
They inspired this project because I saw how they struggled to eat and drink. Not drinking enough water can cause kidney failure later in life, so I wanted to help with this issue.
I started with research on cerebellar hypoplasia and found that...
Why does it happen?
The cerebellum doesn't develop correctly which affects motor skills and balance.
What are the symptoms?
It causes cats to have mobility difficulties such as an uneven gait or tremors. It also affects balance and coordination.
What causes it?
Is there a cure?
There is no cure, and a cat will experience this their whole lifetime. However, it is not painful.
The mother cat contracts the feline panleukopenia virus that attacks the unborn kitten during development.
Primary research led me to four key observations and three design requirements
1.
Cats that feel walls will lie down.
2.
Cats with CH do not wobble when they lie down.
Using walls
Stable
3.
Water fountains are cleaner and more appealing to cats.
Enticing
Using a fountain
4.
Cats with CH prefer to drink water from elevated places.
Elevated
Using a ramp
Sketching and iterating
I started with sketching and brainstorming
Then I went back to the cat shelter to take measurements and make a low-fi prototype
I created a build plan and higher quality sketches
Rendering done in Xara ^
And a 3D model in OnShape
My design was functional but also ugly and overly complicated. It was time to focus on the form.
I started with market research to analyze existing fountain designs
Then had a brainstorming session with friends to come up with design sketches
And used these to create CAD and Xara prototypes/iterations
Ramp height couldn't adjust
Walls didn't convey stability
Nozzle overly complicated
Final design
3D printed lid and bowl
Uses hooks to attach parts for smooth design
Opening directly connects to motor tubing for one-way flow
Slots to adjust ramp height to a growing cat
Laser cut walls and ramp from acrylic
Heat bent top of walls to curve them inward
Ramp fits between walls and can adjust height
Covered in a mat for grip and comfort
Using walls
Stable
Enticing
Using a fountain
Elevated
Using a ramp
I used this project in a class where we simulated pitching to a company. I chose Chewy, so this presentation shows my adherence to their brand design language and formation of materials to ready this product for manufacturing.
Takeaways
What I learned:
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The look and feel of a product are just as important as the functionality.
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It's okay to pivot if it makes a better product.
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When stuck, create as many sketches as you can. They aren't for quality but for stimulating ideas.
Skills I developed/refined:
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CAD and 3D printing
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OnShape, Bambu Carbon X1, Prusa MK3 and MK4
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Presenting research and ideas
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Industrial design techniques
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Market and material research
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Creating a BOM, build plan, and CFM