Aquatic Organism Grading System with Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grading systems for aquatic organisms in fish farming are limited in processing capacity and accuracy, particularly in handling large volumes of fish quickly and maintaining optimal batch sizes based on size and number.

Innovation Solution

A centralized control system that continuously optimizes the grading process by using feedback loops to adjust the settings of pumps, graders, and concentration control mechanisms based on real-time data from sensors and counters, ensuring optimal batch formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing grading systems are used to process large volumes of fish quickly, then processing capacity is improved, but grading accuracy and batch quality consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidgrading accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors to continuously monitor fish concentration, size distribution, and flow rate, feeding this data back to the control system. The control system adjusts pump speeds, grader settings, and concentration control mechanisms in real-time based on this feedback, maintaining grading accuracy even at high processing volumes. This closed-loop control ensures that batch quality consistency is preserved while achieving high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters such as pump flow rates, grader slit openings, and concentration control valve positions based on real-time sensor data. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize grading accuracy for varying fish conditions while maintaining high processing capacity. The dynamic control enables the system to respond to changes in fish size distribution and concentration without sacrificing either accuracy or productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is used to optimize grading parameters, then grading precision is improved, but operational efficiency and time consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatch quality consistencyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-optimization by automatically adjusting grading parameters based on sensor feedback. The control system monitors batch quality metrics and autonomously modifies pump speeds, grader settings, and concentration control without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains high batch quality consistency while significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing time consumption compared to manual optimization methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control. Sensors and control algorithms substitute for operator expertise and manual tuning, enabling continuous optimization without human intervention. This substitution maintains grading precision while dramatically improving operational efficiency and eliminating the time loss associated with manual parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If concentration control is not continuously adjusted, then system complexity is reduced, but processing accuracy and batch formation quality worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidbatch formation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses concentration sensors to continuously monitor fish density and feeds this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts concentration control mechanisms to maintain optimal conditions for batch formation. This feedback-driven continuous adjustment improves batch formation quality without requiring overly complex manual control systems, as the automation handles the complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3845063B1Automatic grading system for living aquatic organisms
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 VAKI FISKELDISKERFI
  • EP3845063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3845063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3845063B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for grading aquatic organisms. The system comprises: a grading unit comprising at least: a pump (4) and a grader (5) having chambers each with an adjustable slit; a counter (6); two or more receptacles for receiving aquatic organisms (10) from the grader (5); and a central control system (7). The counter (6) is configured to send information to the central control system (7) on a performance of the grading process. The central control system (7) is configured to compare the information from the counter (6) to data stored in a database (8) and send feedback signals to adjust settings of each individual component of the grading unit (4, 5), including adjusting at least one of a speed of the pump (4) and a slit setting of the grader (5), during the grading process to optimize the grading process.