Fish groups detecting system
The fish school detection device stabilizes on the water surface using buoyancy bodies and a weight, with seawater passages and a wire conduit, addressing shaking and seawater ingress issues to improve detection accuracy and reduce maintenance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- KR · KR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SCALE TRON CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing fish finders installed on the water surface are prone to shaking due to waves, leading to inaccurate fish school detection results, and are susceptible to damage from seawater ingress, which increases maintenance costs.
A fish school detection device with multiple buoyancy bodies and a weight to stabilize the device, combined with seawater passages and a wire conduit to prevent seawater ingress, ensuring accurate and stable operation.
The device maintains a stable floating state, minimizes shaking, and prevents seawater damage, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and reducing maintenance costs.
Smart Images

Figure 112025118997073-PAT00001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technology Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a fish school detection device that detects schools of fish by emitting ultrasound into the water, which is installed to float underwater by means of a buoyancy body. Background Technology
[0003] As the importance of fisheries resource management emerges, there is a growing need to identify the size and species of catches, aquaculture farms, and aquatic organisms trapped in fishing gear.
[0004] Although visually inspecting the fish body to identify the species is a common method, this is limited to captured fish; not only is it impossible to individually check fish swimming underwater, but it is also impossible to accurately determine their external appearance in a short period of time.
[0005] To solve these problems, fish finders have been developed and are being used.
[0006] A fish finder is a device used to confirm the presence of schools of fish underwater; it detects the presence of schools of fish by emitting ultrasound and utilizing signals (reflected waves) that are reflected and received from schools of fish or the seabed.
[0007] A fish finder is designed to analyze the strength of reflected waves and display the size or density of fish schools, or the shape and sediment of the seabed, on a monitor using different colors. Each time the fish finder emits ultrasound, the data shifts across the screen from right to left to form a single image.
[0008] Fish finders are installed on the bottom of a ship or floated on the water surface by means of a separate buoyancy device. When installed floating on the water surface using a buoyancy device, they are directly affected by waves or currents, causing shaking. Consequently, they are unable to accurately radiate ultrasound into the water, resulting in errors. These errors combine with errors caused by the influence of various acoustic signals around the fish school, leading to the problem of inaccurate results.
[0009] In particular, when the waves are severe, the pressure from the crashing waves causes the fish finder to shake significantly and, in some cases, even overturn, which prevented the improvement of the accuracy of fish school detection. Prior art literature
[0011] Published Patent Application No. 10-2021-0088918 (July 15, 2021. Fish school detection system and fish school detection method) The problem to be solved
[0012] The present invention was devised to solve the aforementioned problems and provides a fish school detection device in which multiple buoyancy bodies are installed around the housing to minimize shaking caused by waves, and even if shaking occurs, it is immediately restored to its original position and can always maintain a set position.
[0013] In addition, the invention provides a fish school detection device capable of minimizing shaking caused by waves by forming a seawater passage between buoyancy bodies, allowing seawater to pass through.
[0014] In addition, the invention provides a fish school detection device that can lower the center of gravity by attaching a weight, thereby enabling immediate response to shaking caused by waves and restoring it to its original position.
[0015] In addition, since a wire insertion conduit is installed, the inflow of seawater into the control unit installation space can be blocked, thereby preventing damage such as electrical leakage caused by seawater inflow and reducing maintenance costs. This provides a fish school detection device. means of solving the problem
[0017] The means of the present invention for solving the above problem comprises: a housing (10) having an upper horizontal plate (15) with an inlet hole (16) formed in the central part, which is coupled to the upper part, and which protrudes vertically downward for a certain length with its upper end coupled to the center of the lower part of the upper horizontal plate (15), and which has a control unit installation space (11) formed inside to communicate with the inlet hole (16); and a lower horizontal plate (20) having a through hole (21) formed in the central part, which is provided at a predetermined distance from the lower side of the upper horizontal plate (15) while penetrating the housing (10), thereby forming a buoyancy body installation space (25) between the upper horizontal plate (15) and the housing (10) in the circumferential direction. A plurality of buoyancy bodies (30) are installed in the form of cylinders, which are connected to the buoyancy body installation space (25) by a fixing means (31) to provide buoyancy, and are spaced apart from each other radially around the housing (10) to form a seawater passage (35) between them; a sensor fixing part (40) in which the upper part is connected to the lower part of the housing (10) and the lower part has an open bottom side to form a sensor installation groove (41); an ultrasonic sensor (45) installed in the sensor installation groove (41) to emit ultrasonic waves downward to detect a school of fish and transmit detection information to a control part (50); a control part (50) that is inserted through the inlet hole (16) and installed in the control part installation space (11), and transmits detection information received from the ultrasonic sensor (45) to a server via a communication module. A cover (60) installed to close the inlet hole (16) on the upper horizontal plate (15), and having an antenna (65) installed on its surface to be connected to the control unit (50);The fixing means (31) is composed of a round bar penetrating the upper horizontal plate (15), the buoyancy body (30), and the lower horizontal plate (20) from the upper side of the upper horizontal plate (15), and a nut screw-coupled to the lower end of the round bar. The buoyancy body (30) has a hole formed in the center to penetrate in the vertical direction and is coupled to the round bar in a penetrating state so as not to be installed in the buoyancy body installation space (25). On the lower surface of the upper horizontal plate (15) and the upper outer surface of the housing (10), a seawater guide piece (12) is installed at a position corresponding to the seawater passage (35) inside the buoyancy body (30). This not only reinforces strength but also allows seawater entering through one side of the seawater passage (35) of the buoyancy body (30) to be divided into two sides by the seawater guide piece (12), strike the outer surface of the housing (10), and then the other side of the seawater passage of the buoyancy body (30) It is characterized by being guided to be discharged through, and a weight (70) is installed between the housing (10) and the sensor fixing part (40) so that the center of gravity of the housing (10) is positioned lower so that it is restored to its original state and maintains a vertical state even when shaking occurs due to waves, and a hook (80) is installed at a plurality of positions on the upper edge of the upper surface of the upper horizontal plate (15) so that the lower part is connected to the top of the round bar constituting the fixing means (31) to hang a wire or rope and fix it.
[0018] delete
[0019] delete
[0020] delete
[0021] A wire insertion tube (75) is installed on the outside of the housing (10) such that its upper and lower ends are respectively connected to one side of the upper horizontal plate (15) and one side of the edge of the sensor fixing part (40), and a wire connected to the ultrasonic sensor (45) is inserted into the interior through the lower end of the wire insertion tube (75), pulled out through the upper end, and then fed into the control unit installation space through a hole formed in the cover (60) to be connected to the control unit (50).
[0022] delete Effects of the invention
[0024] According to the present invention, which is configured as described above, a housing is placed in the center and a plurality of buoyancy bodies are installed around it, so shaking caused by waves is minimized while maintaining a stable floating state on the water surface. Furthermore, when shaking occurs, it is easy to restore to the original position, and if a weight is provided, the center of gravity is lowered, allowing it to be restored to the original position in a shorter time, thereby increasing detection accuracy. Additionally, as seawater moves through the seawater passages between the buoyancy bodies, it has the effect of minimizing shaking caused by waves.
[0025] In addition, a wire insertion conduit is provided to feed wires into the control unit installation space through a cover and connect them to the control unit, thereby completely blocking the possibility of contact between seawater and the control unit. This prevents seawater from entering the control unit installation space and also prevents damage such as electrical leakage in the control unit, allowing for reduced maintenance costs. Brief explanation of the drawing
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fish school detection device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a fish school detection device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is an excerpt showing a buoyancy body installation structure with the upper horizontal plate removed in a fish school detection device according to the present invention. FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view of a fish school detection device showing one embodiment of a seawater guide piece according to the present invention, FIG. 4b is a diagram showing another embodiment in which the seawater guide piece according to the present invention is concavely curved. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a fish school detection device according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a separated state diagram showing a buoyancy body coupled to an upper horizontal plate and a lower horizontal plate according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the installation state of a weight according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the wire connection state of the control unit and the ultrasonic sensor according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention
[0028] Hereinafter, a fish school detection device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[0029] As described above, the fish school detection device according to the present invention comprises a housing (10) of a certain length to which an upper horizontal plate (15) is attached at the top, a lower horizontal plate (20) spaced apart from the lower side of the upper horizontal plate (15) and penetrating the housing (10), a buoyancy body (30), a sensor fixing part (40) attached to the lower part of the housing (10), an ultrasonic sensor (45), a control part (50), and a cover (60).
[0030] The above housing (10) is formed as a hollow body with a control unit installation space (11) formed inside, and is coupled to the lower central part of an upper horizontal plate (15) having an inlet hole (16) formed in the central part at the top.
[0031] The control unit installation space (11) is formed to communicate with the inlet hole (16) formed in the center of the upper horizontal plate (15), and it is preferable that the diameter of the inlet hole (16) be formed to be the same as or smaller than the open upper diameter of the housing (10).
[0032] The housing (10) is formed to protrude vertically downward for a certain length with its upper end connected to the center of the lower surface of the upper horizontal plate (15), and the housing (10) is positioned underwater in a state of protruding for a certain length to serve as the center of gravity of the fish school detection device of the present invention.
[0033] The lower horizontal plate (20) has a through hole (21) formed in its center with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the housing (10) so as to penetrate the housing (10), and is provided at a predetermined distance from the lower side of the upper horizontal plate (15) while penetrating the housing (10).
[0034] As the lower horizontal plate (20) is provided spaced apart from the lower side of the upper horizontal plate (15), a space (25) for installing a buoyancy body is formed between the upper horizontal plate (15) and the lower horizontal plate (20) in the circumferential direction of the housing (10).
[0035] The position of the lower horizontal plate (20) varies depending on the size and vertical length (height) of the buoyancy body (30).
[0036] The upper horizontal plate (15) and the lower horizontal plate (20) can be formed as approximately circular plates, and as shown in the attached drawing, they can be formed in a shape where only the corresponding edge portion into which the fixing means (31) is fitted to connect the buoyancy body is curved and protruded further.
[0037] The buoyancy body (30) is intended to provide buoyancy to the fish school detection device of the present invention and is coupled by a fixing means (31) to the buoyancy body installation space (25) formed between the upper horizontal plate (15) and the lower horizontal plate (20).
[0038] In one embodiment, these buoyancy bodies (30) are formed in the shape of a cylinder and are provided in multiple numbers, which can be installed in the buoyancy body installation space (25) at predetermined intervals radially spaced from the housing (10) so that a seawater passage (35) is formed between them.
[0039] It is preferable that the cylindrical buoyancy body (30) has a hole formed in the center that penetrates in the vertical direction so that the round bar constituting the fixing means penetrates the buoyancy body.
[0040] As an example of the above fixing means, the buoyancy body (30) can be installed so as not to detach from the buoyancy body installation space by being fixed to the upper horizontal plate and the lower horizontal plate by a cylindrical bar that penetrates the upper horizontal plate, the buoyancy body, and the lower horizontal plate from the upper side of the upper horizontal plate (15), and a nut that is screw-coupled to the lower end of the cylindrical bar. That is, as shown in the attached drawing, the cylindrical bar penetrates the hole formed in the center of the buoyancy body (30) and is coupled to the lower horizontal plate, thereby preventing the buoyancy body (30) from detaching.
[0041] A seawater passage (35) is formed between multiple buoyancy bodies (32), and as seawater moves through the seawater passage (35), even if waves hit the buoyancy body while the lower part of the buoyancy body (30) is submerged in seawater, the seawater flows in through one seawater passage and is discharged through the other seawater passage, thereby reducing the load and minimizing shaking of the detection device, and as a result, the accuracy of the detection information detected by the ultrasonic sensor can be increased.
[0042] At this time, a seawater guide piece (12) may be installed at a position corresponding to the seawater passage (35) on the lower surface of the upper horizontal plate (15) and the upper outer surface of the housing (10) so as to reinforce strength and to guide and discharge seawater that is drawn in through the seawater passage (35).
[0043] The seawater guide (12) serves to guide the seawater entering through the seawater passage (35) to flow out to the left and right as it is divided into two sides.
[0044] The above seawater guide piece (12) may have a flat cross-sectional shape formed in a straight line as in FIG. 4a, or a concave shape formed in an arc as in FIG. 4b.
[0045] As shown in Fig. 4a, when the cross-sectional shape of the seawater guide is formed as a straight line, the purpose is to separate the seawater entering the seawater passage into the left and right sides by the seawater guide, so there may be limitations in the smooth discharge of the seawater separated into the left and right sides.
[0046] To solve this problem, the cross-sectional shape of the seawater guide can be formed in an arc shape, as shown in FIG. 4b. When formed in an arc shape, the seawater that is drawn into the seawater passage and separated by the seawater guide is guided to each seawater guide and can move smoothly and exit. As a result, the shaking of the detection device caused by waves is minimized, which has the advantage of increasing the accuracy of detection information for fish school detection.
[0047] The sensor fixing part (40) is a part where the ultrasonic sensor (45) is installed, and is provided with its upper part connected to the lower part of the housing (10), and the lower part of the sensor fixing part (40) has an open lower side to form a sensor installation groove (41).
[0048] The side of the sensor fixing part (40) can be formed to be partially open so that the wire connected to the ultrasonic sensor can come out, while allowing seawater to move smoothly to reduce load generation.
[0049] The above ultrasonic sensor (45) is installed in the sensor installation groove (41) and is positioned so as to face downward, and emits ultrasonic waves into the water to transmit detection information to the control unit (50).
[0050] The ultrasonic sensor (45) is inserted into the sensor installation groove (41) so that the side portion is not exposed to the outside, thereby reducing the possibility of damage. Since it is equipped for the purpose of detecting schools of fish, the ultrasonic waves are radiated only downwards to the underwater bottom rather than in the side.
[0051] Here, the control unit (50) is connected to the ultrasonic sensor via wires for power supply and communication. Since the control unit (50) is built inside the control unit installation space (11), if the wires are connected by penetrating the bottom or side of the housing, even if they are connected as tightly as possible to prevent leakage, the possibility of leakage due to waves or the like is bound to increase.
[0052] In order to prevent damage to the control unit due to such leakage, it is preferable to guide the wire connected to the ultrasonic sensor outside the water surface rather than underwater, and to feed the wire into the control unit installation space (11) from the upper side of the housing.
[0053] To this end, a wire insertion tube (75) is installed on the outside of the housing (10) such that its upper and lower ends are respectively connected to one side of the upper horizontal plate (15) and one side of the edge of the sensor fixing part (40).
[0054] Therefore, the wire connected to the ultrasonic sensor (45) located underwater can be inserted into the interior through the bottom of the wire insertion tube (75), pulled out above the water surface through the top of the wire insertion tube, and then fed into the control unit installation space (11) through the hole formed in the cover (60) to be connected to the control unit (50). Since the cover (60) into which the wire is inserted is provided above the water surface rather than underwater, leakage can be prevented.
[0055] In this way, by connecting the wire connected to the ultrasonic sensor installed underwater through the wire insertion tube, it is not necessary to form a separate hole to pass the wire through the side or bottom surface of the housing, thereby preventing the possibility of leakage at the source.
[0056] At this time, a sealing means such as rubber is provided in the hole formed in the cover (60) to allow the wire to be inserted, thereby blocking the inflow of seawater that is scattered while hitting the buoyancy body, so as to prevent any leakage that may occur.
[0057] The control unit (50) is introduced through the inlet hole (16) and installed in the control unit installation space (11), and transmits the detection information received from the ultrasonic sensor (45) to the server through the communication module.
[0058] The server is installed in a remote location and is connected via a wireless communication network to multiple fish school detection devices installed at different locations, enabling it to receive and manage information from each fish school detection device.
[0059] A battery (51) is built into the control unit installation space (11) to supply power to the control unit and the ultrasonic sensor, and a mounting bracket (61) may be installed separately to ensure stable mounting of the battery and the control unit.
[0060] One mounting bracket (61) may be provided to mount only the battery or to mount both the battery and the control unit, and two may be provided to mount the battery and the control unit respectively.
[0061] At this time, the mounting bracket (61) is formed to be integrally connected to the lower surface of the cover (60), thereby allowing the mounting bracket to be positioned inside the control unit installation space by connecting the cover (60) to the upper horizontal plate (15), and the battery and control unit can be easily removed from the control unit installation space (11) when the cover (60) is separated.
[0062] In the case where only the battery is mounted on the mounting bracket, it is preferable to provide a separate bracket on the lower side inside the control unit installation space (11) so that the control unit can be mounted by combining it at a predetermined distance from the floor surface of the control unit installation space (11).
[0063] The above cover (60) is connected with bolts and nuts, etc., to close the inlet hole (16) on the upper horizontal plate (15), and an antenna (65) is installed on the surface to be connected to the control unit (50) so as to communicate with a server at a remote location.
[0064] A watertight member, such as rubber, may be provided on the lower edge of the cover (60) to ensure watertightness by being in close contact with the rim of the inlet hole (16).
[0065] Meanwhile, since the fish school detection device of the present invention is equipped to float on the water surface by being buoyant by a buoyancy body, shaking occurs on the water surface due to waves or ocean currents, and such shaking may cause it to rotate or flip over due to a large recoil.
[0066] To solve this problem, a weight (70) is installed between the housing (10) and the sensor fixing part (40).
[0067] By installing the above weight (70), the center of gravity of the housing (10) is positioned at the bottom, thereby minimizing shaking even when shaking occurs due to waves or ocean currents, and allowing it to be restored to its original state in a shorter time and maintain a vertical state.
[0068] Due to this weight (70), the shaking is minimized so that the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor can be emitted more accurately vertically downward toward the underwater bottom, thereby increasing the accuracy of detecting schools of fish.
[0069] In addition, it is desirable to secure the fish school detection device of the present invention by binding it with a wire or rope so that it does not drift in the sea.
[0070] To this end, a plurality of hooks (80) are provided at the upper edge of the upper horizontal plate (15).
[0071] The hook (80) may be provided to be coupled to the upper end of the fixing means for fixing the buoyancy body (30) installed in the buoyancy body installation space (25).
[0072] For example, the lower part of the hook can be connected to the upper part of the round bar constituting the fixing means by a bolt connection method.
[0073] The fish school detection device of the present invention, configured as described above, maintains a stable floating state as a plurality of buoyancy bodies are radially arranged relative to a central housing, and since seawater passages are formed between the plurality of buoyancy bodies, shaking can be minimized as seawater passes through the passages even when waves collide, thereby enabling more accurate vertical downward radiation and thus increasing detection accuracy; this is a very useful invention. Explanation of the symbols
[0075] 10: Housing 11: Control unit installation space 12: Seawater guide section 15: Upper horizontal plate 16: Inlet hole 20: Lower horizontal plate 21: Through hole 25: Buoyancy body installation space 30: Buoyancy body 31: Fixing means 35: Seawater passage 40: Sensor fixing part 41: Sensor installation slot 45: Ultrasonic sensor 50: Control unit 51: Battery 60: Cover 61: Mounting bracket 65: Antenna 70: Counterweight 75: Wire insertion tube 80: Hook
Claims
Claim 1 A housing (10) having an upper horizontal plate (15) with an inlet hole (16) formed in the center and connected to the upper part, and protruding vertically downward for a certain length with its upper end connected to the center of the lower part of the upper horizontal plate (15), and having a control unit installation space (11) formed inside to communicate with the inlet hole (16); a lower horizontal plate (20) having a through hole (21) formed in the center and provided at a predetermined distance from the lower side of the upper horizontal plate (15) while penetrating the housing (10), thereby forming a buoyancy body installation space (25) between the upper horizontal plate (15) and the lower horizontal plate in the circumferential direction of the housing (10); a plurality of buoyancy bodies (30) installed in the shape of cylinders, connected to the buoyancy body installation space (25) by a fixing means (31) to provide buoyancy, and spaced radially apart from each other with the housing (10) as the center so that a seawater passage (35) is formed between them; and the upper part of the lower part of the housing (10) A sensor fixing part (40) that is combined and has a sensor installation groove (41) formed at the bottom with an opening at the bottom; an ultrasonic sensor (45) installed in the sensor installation groove (41) that emits ultrasonic waves downward to detect a school of fish and transmits detection information to a control part (50); a control part (50) that is inserted through the inlet hole (16) and installed in the control part installation space (11), and transmits detection information received from the ultrasonic sensor (45) to a server through a communication module; a cover (60) that is installed on the upper horizontal plate (15) to close the inlet hole (16) and has an antenna (65) installed on its surface to be connected to the control part (50);The fixing means (31) is composed of a round bar penetrating the upper horizontal plate (15), the buoyancy body (30), and the lower horizontal plate (20) from the upper side of the upper horizontal plate (15), and a nut screw-coupled to the lower end of the round bar. The buoyancy body (30) has a hole formed in the center to penetrate in the vertical direction and is coupled to the round bar in a penetrating state so as not to be detached from the buoyancy body installation space (25). On the lower surface of the upper horizontal plate (15) and the upper outer surface of the housing (10), a seawater guide piece (12) is installed at a position corresponding to the seawater passage (35) inside the buoyancy body (30). This not only reinforces strength but also allows seawater entering through one side of the seawater passage (35) of the buoyancy body (30) to be divided into two sides by the seawater guide piece (12), strike the outer surface of the housing (10), and then the other side of the seawater passage of the buoyancy body (30) A fish school detection device characterized by being guided to be discharged through, having a weight (70) installed between the housing (10) and the sensor fixing part (40) so that the center of gravity of the housing (10) is positioned lower to maintain a vertical state while restoring to its original state even when shaking occurs due to waves, and having a hook (80) installed at a plurality of positions on the upper edge of the upper surface of the upper horizontal plate (15) so that the lower part is connected to the upper end of the round bar constituting the fixing means (31) to hang a wire or rope for fixing. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A fish school detection device according to claim 1, wherein a wire insertion tube (75) is installed on the outside of the housing (10) such that the top and bottom ends are respectively connected to one side of the upper horizontal plate (15) and one side of the edge of the sensor fixing part (40), and the wire connected to the ultrasonic sensor (45) is inserted into the interior through the bottom end of the wire insertion tube (75), pulled out through the top end, and then fed into the control unit installation space (11) through a hole formed in the cover (60) to be connected to the control unit (50). Claim 6 delete