Adjustable Fish Sorting Grid With Displacement Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish sorting devices cause stress to fish due to the need for frequent replacement of grid devices with different slot widths, which is labor-intensive and stressful for the fish.
Innovation Solution
A sorting device with a grid system comprising a support plate and an adjustable plate, where the adjustment plate can be displaced horizontally and vertically to change the effective slot openings' width and height without removing the entire grid, allowing for variable slot sizes without stressing the fish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If grid devices with different slot widths are replaced frequently to adapt to different fish sizes, then the sorting precision is improved, but the stress on fish and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grid device incorporates an adjustable plate that can be displaced horizontally and vertically to dynamically change the effective slot opening dimensions. This allows the same grid device to adapt to different fish sizes without replacement, resolving the contradiction between sorting precision and stress on fish by eliminating frequent handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the grid device by allowing continuous adjustment of the effective slot opening width and height through plate displacement. This enables the system to adapt to different sorting requirements while maintaining a single stationary grid device, thereby reducing labor intensity and stress on fish
2Manufacturing precision
If the entire grid device is replaced to change slot widths, then the sorting precision is improved, but the device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grid device is segmented into a stationary support plate and a movable adjustment plate. This segmentation allows the sorting function to be separated from the adjustment mechanism, enabling precise slot width control without requiring complete grid device replacement or complex overall restructuring
Solution Approach 2:
The single grid device with adjustable plate serves multiple functions: it can sort fish of different sizes by adjusting the effective slot openings, maintain structural stability, and eliminate the need for multiple fixed grid devices. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while preserving sorting precision
3Device complexity
If fixed slot widths are used in the grid device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different fish sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment plate can be displaced horizontally and vertically to dynamically change the effective slot opening dimensions, transforming a static grid device into a dynamic one that adapts to different fish sizes without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism operates in the horizontal dimension (plate displacement) to control slot width, adding a degree of freedom without complicating the vertical structure. This dimensional approach allows simple adaptation to different fish sizes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The known sorting device consists of a vertical grid unit with a plurality of slit openings, the size of which are adapted to the fish and through which the fish can voluntarily swim. For a size adaptation of the slit openings (07) that causes as little stress possible, the sorting device (01) according to the invention has at least a carrier plate (15) and an adjustment plate (16) having an identical arrangement and size of the slit openings (07). The adjustment plate (16) is arranged in a displaceable manner on the carrier plate (15) such that the horizontal and vertical webs (08, 09) on the adjustment plate (16) cover or reveal, depending on their position, the slit openings (07) on the carrier plate (15), thereby forming effective slit openings (07e). In the event of a lateral displaceability, only the width of the effective slit openings (07e) is adapted, and the height thereof remains constant. The claimed sorting device (01) is particularly suitable for stress-free voluntary self-sorting, in a fixed grid unit (03), or for low-stress active sorting, in a grid unit (03) drawn through the water tank (02), of flatfish in aquafarming.