Authors : Poh Kiat Ng, Kian Siong Jee, Sin Ai Tey and Jian Ai Yeow
Abstract: The advent of globalisation and urbanisation has caused city populations to grow larger and faster by the day. As these populations grow so do the populations of domestic cats. Problems related to free-roaming stray cats are becoming increasingly important due to factors such as animal-welfare public health issues and various societal impacts. Though, it may be true that there are many means to resolve this problem it is crucial that this problem be resolved in the most sustainable, cost-effective and humane way possible. This study posits that the current methods to control the stray cat population are ineffective and hence proposes a more innovative and humane design in order to trap stray cats. The TRIZ methodology was used in this study. The common cat trap design was studied using function analysis and cause-and-effect chain analysis. A few engineering contradictions were formulated. An innovative way to capture cats was proposed by resolving these contradictions using a few selected inventive principles namely segmentation, asymmetry, beforehand cushioning, equipotentiality and dynamisation. This innovative cat trap was also proven to be feasible and affordable with an estimated cost of MYR 80. The cat trap is expected to catch a maximum of 4 cats. Overall, the proposed trap is sustainable, cost-effective and humane and indeed addresses the issue as an effective method in controlling the stray cat population.
Poh Kiat Ng, Kian Siong Jee, Sin Ai Tey and Jian Ai Yeow, 2017. Design Innovation of a Humane Cat Trapping Device using TRIZ Principles. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 12: 4380-4384.