Black Hole Katstrooibak by Liang Xueyong

Black Hole Katstrooibak by Liang Xueyong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Brons in Troeteldiersorg, Speelgoed, Voorrade en Produkte vir Diere Ontwerp Competition Category.

BronsTroeteldiersorg· 2025

Black Hole Katstrooibak

by Liang Xueyong

Client: Suzao Union (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Troeteldiersorg Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #162288

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Black Hole Katstrooibak

Black Hole is 'n katstrooibak wat ontwerp is om by moderne binnenshuise dekor te pas. 'n Ring vorm die voorste ingang en is deur 'n verbindingstang aan die boonste deksel gekoppel, sodat albei dele saam beweeg. Deur die ring te draai, word die deksel oopgemaak, en die skakelmeganisme voeg natuurlike weerstand toe vir 'n sagte en stil toemaakbeweging. 'n Uitlaat op die boonste deksel laat strooisel wat deur die kat uitgedra word, terugval in die bak terwyl die deksel opgelig word. Die ring verberg ook die vorm van die houer. Black Hole is van plastiek gemaak, hoofsaaklik PP en ABS, en die ring kan binne-in die bak geplaas word vir vervoer.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

Black Hole Katstrooibak is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Brons, 'n hoogs prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan uitstaande ontwerpe wat gekenmerk word deur kreatiwiteit, vindingrykheid en skerpsinnigheid. Wenners in Brons is ruimskoots vaardige en opvallend kreatiewe artefakte wat die groot ervaring, verbeelding en vindingrykheid van hul ontwerpers bevestig. Daar word verwag dat Black Hole Katstrooibak 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde voorwerp is wat merkwaardig professioneel en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Brons gewen het, inkorporeer die beste praktyke in kuns, wetenskap, ontwerp en tegnologie en is uitstekend vanweë sy aandag aan detail. Black Hole Katstrooibak bevredig behoeftes pragtig, raak aan begeertes, bekoor gevoelens en spreek die nuuskierigheid aan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Decopark Black Hole Cat Litter Box features a ring mechanism connected to the top cover via a linkage rod, allowing for synchronized operation. The ring serves as a front entrance and can also be rotated to open the top cover. And the linkage rod’s opening and closing mechanism adds natural deceleration resistance, effectively reducing the noise of closing impacts. The outlet on the top cover allows cat litter carried out by the cat to fall back into the box as the cover is being lifted.
Dimensions & Packaging: Overall Dimensions: Length 565mm x Width 418mm x Height 520mm
Container Dimensions: Length 550mm x Width 380mm x Height 410mm
Weight: 3.1kg
Material: PP/ABS
Tags: Black Hole, Exploration, Soft-close mechanism, Integration with Indoor Environment, Cat Litter Box
Production Technology: It is made of plastic, primarily PP and ABS. The ring as a main feature meet the needs to link with the lid. We have tried many linkage methods, dealing with challenges to calculating the corresponding supporting point of the structure and the products counterweights to open and close the lid with just a connecting rod, and also adds resistance for a soft close. Regarding transport, the size of the ring are designed to allow it to be placed inside the box, in case of transport damage.
Design Challenge: The most challenging part is the product's dual-direction opening and closing mechanism. Initially, we aimed to achieve the lid's opening and closing using the movement or rotation of a ring. Eventually, we chose the rotational motion structure. This involved overcoming challenges including calculating the appropriate support points of this structure and determining the product's counterweights. Therefore, this design allows the lid to be operated by a single connecting rod, providing both smooth opening and closing, as well as resistance for a soft close.
Research: Through observation, we found current cat litter box market have not taken the integration of home design into account, making it difficult for them to be a part of modern home design. Therefore, we made a series of improvement. In terms of shape, we designed a ring to hide the original shape of the cat litter box, making the function and style coordinated. Regarding the function, the exit of the lid can remove the remaining litter that would fall back into the litter box as the lid close.
Inspiration: Due to limitations of their functional design, traditional cat litter boxes face the challenge of matching with interior decoration. Recognizing cats innate curiosity for exploring caves, this product offers them an innovative and thrilling experience during use. The shapes of black holes have inspired the design of the ring, which not only covers the original cat litter box but also serves as a visual element to integrate with different interior design styles.
Project Duration: The project started in November 2023 in Hangzhou, and was exhibited in The ONE Pet Show in April 2024.
Operation Flow: Black Hole Cat Litter Box features a ring mechanism connected to the top cover via a linkage rod, allowing for synchronized operation. The ring serves as a front entrance for the cat and can also be rotated to open the top cover. And the linkage rod’s opening and closing mechanism adds natural deceleration resistance, effectively reducing the noise of closing impacts.
Patents: Decopark (2023) Suzao Union (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd.;
Patent Applied. Patent No. 202420603254.1. Zhejiang Sci-tech University. 2024. China.
Patent Applied. Patent No. 2024301617060. Suzao Union (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. 2024. China.
Team Members: Wang Sijia
Wang Qianqiu
Yu Fei
Yu Sushu