Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta by Liang Xueyong

Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta by Liang Xueyong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz in Nhazi Nlekọta Anụ Ụlọ, Ihe Egwuregwu, Ngwá na Ngwaahịa maka Anụmanụ Competition Category.

BronzNlekọta Anụ Ụlọ· 2025

Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta

by Liang Xueyong

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

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz Winner in Nlekọta Anụ Ụlọ Category

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The Design

About Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta

Ederede Akwụkwọ: Black Hole bụ igbe ntụtụ nwamba emere ka ọ dabara na ịchọ mma ụlọ ọgbara ọhụrụ. Mgbanaka na-akpụ ọnụ ụzọ ihu, jikọtara ya na mkpuchi elu site na osisi njikọ, nke mere na akụkụ abụọ na-emeghachi ọnụ ọnọdụ ha ọnụ. Ịgba mgbanaka ahụ na-emeghe mkpuchi ahụ, ma njikọ ahụ na-agbakwụnye nnọchi anya sitere n'okike maka mmechi dị nway na jụụ. Ọdụ dị na mkpuchi elu na-eme ka ntụtụ nwamba bufere si na ya daghachi n'ime igbe ahụ mgbe a na-ebuli mkpuchi elu ahụ. Mgbanaka ahụ na-ezokwa ụdịdị igbe ahụ. A na-eji plastik mepụta Black Hole, nke kachasị bụ PP na ABS, mgbanaka ahụ na-enwekwa ike ịdị n'ime igbe ahụ mgbe a na-ebugharị ya.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Bronz

Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz, nnabata dị oke ugwu e nyere design ndị pụtara ìhè nke a ma ama maka nzụlite ihe, ọgụgụ isi na nghọta. Ndị meriri na Bronz bụ ihe e mere nke ndị nwere nka nke ukwuu ma dị mma n'imepụta nke na-egosi ahụmahụ buru ibu, echiche na ọgụgụ isi nke ndị designer ha. A na-atụ anya na Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta ga-abụ ihe a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya, nke dị oke ọrụ ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Bronz na-agụnye ụzọ kacha mma n'ime nka, sayensị, design na teknụzụ, ma dị mma nke ukwuu maka nlebara anya ya n'obere ihe. Black Hole Igbo Function: Igbe Ntụtụ Nkịta na-emezu mkpa nke ọma, na-emetụ ọchịchọ aka, na-adọrọ mmetụta obi ma na-adọta ọchịchọ ịmara.

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