Black Hole 猫用トイレ by Liang Xueyong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銅賞 in ペットケア・玩具・用品・動物用製品デザイン Competition Category.
銅ペットケア· 2025
Black Hole 猫用トイレ
Client: Suzao Union (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd.
A' Design Award 銅賞 Winner in ペットケア Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #162288The Design
About Black Hole 猫用トイレ
Black Holeは、モダンなインテリアに調和するようデザインされた猫用トイレです。前面の入口を形づくるリングは、連結ロッドによって上部カバーとつながっており、両者が一体となって動きます。リングを回転させるとカバーが開き、リンク機構が自然な抵抗を生み出すことで、静かでやわらかな閉まり方を実現しました。上部カバーには開口部が設けられ、猫が持ち出した猫砂は、カバーが持ち上がる際に本体内へと落ち戻ります。またリングは、容器本体の形状を目立たせない役割も果たしています。Black Holeは主にPPとABSからなるプラスチック製で、輸送時にはリングを本体内部に収納できます。
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award 銅賞
Black Hole 猫用トイレは、創造性、独創性、鋭い洞察力で際立つ傑出したデザインに授与される、高い権威をもつ評価である A' Design Award 銅賞の受賞作品です。銅賞の受賞作品は、十分に巧みで印象的なほど創造的な工芸品であり、デザイナーの豊富な経験、想像力、機知を裏づけています。Black Hole 猫用トイレは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される品であり、顕著にプロフェッショナルで革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銅賞を受賞したデザインは、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術のベストプラクティスを取り入れており、細部への配慮に優れています。Black Hole 猫用トイレは、ニーズを見事に満たし、欲求に触れ、感情を魅了し、好奇心を引きつけます。
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
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