Water-Activated Bobber Release Device with Radial Force Cam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-activated bobber release devices are prone to inadvertent deployment due to premature breakdown of dissolvable tablets under ambient moisture, and they often feature multiple moving parts that rust when exposed to water, making them non-reusable and unreliable for repeated use.
Innovation Solution
A reusable bobber release device with a bobbin assembly that redirects the axial force radially outward, minimizing moving parts and using a dissolvable tablet within a framework to prevent premature release, allowing quick resetting and re-use by winding back the retrieval line and replacing the bobbin assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dissolvable tablet is used to hold the bobber in place by applying a shearing force, then the bobber is retained in position, but the tablet breaks down prematurely under ambient moisture causing inadvertent release
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the retention function into two independent components: the dissolvable tablet provides water-activated release, while the separate cam mechanism provides mechanical retention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without compromising the other, eliminating premature release caused by combining both functions in a single tablet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the spring force and the bobber retention. Instead of the spring directly acting on the tablet to hold the bobber, the cam translates the spring's axial force into a mechanical locking action that secures the bobber. This intermediary prevents the tablet from bearing the full retention load, eliminating shear stress and premature breakdown.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple moving parts are used in the device, then the device can perform complex retention and release functions, but the moving parts rust when exposed to water preventing device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dissolvable tablet from the housing before water exposure, allowing the housing and its mechanical components to remain dry and rust-free. The tablet is positioned in a separate compartment that can be independently accessed and removed, enabling the main housing to withstand water exposure without compromising the mechanical parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is prepared in advance by loading the dissolvable tablet into a sealed or accessible compartment before water exposure. This preliminary positioning allows the user to quickly remove or activate the tablet when needed, while the housing remains protected from water during storage and transport, preventing rust accumulation.
3Device complexity
If the device is designed as a single-use item, then the structure can be simpler, but the device cannot be reset for continued use increasing loss of time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into reusable housing components and replaceable consumable parts (tablet and bobber assembly). This segmentation allows the housing, spring, and cam mechanism to be retained and reused, while only the tablet and bobber need replacement. The modular design enables rapid resetting by simply inserting a new tablet and bobber assembly without disassembling the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a discard-and-recover strategy where the dissolvable tablet and bobber assembly are discarded after use, while the housing and mechanical components are recovered and reused. This approach minimizes waste and resetting time by preserving the complex mechanical structure while replacing only the simple consumable parts.
4Device complexity
If concentrated axial force is applied through the dissolvable tablet, then the release mechanism is simple, but the tension between dissimilar materials causes corrosion and premature tablet weakening
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying axial force directly through the dissolvable tablet, the invention inverts the force transmission path by using a cam mechanism that converts axial spring force into radial or lateral mechanical action. This inversion eliminates concentrated axial stress on the tablet, preventing corrosion at contact points and maintaining tablet integrity until water activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively prevents inadvertent bobber release and allows for quick reconfiguration and re-use by distributing the release force radially, maintaining the integrity of the dissolvable tablet and minimizing points of failure, ensuring reliable operation even after repeated exposure to water.
Implementation Method 1
When the device is submerged in water, the tablet dissolves, and the spring forces the screw's head through the bobbin assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A water-activated bobber release device is used to retrieve a submerged item to which it is attached. The device has a housing, a spring, a bobber assembly having a bobber, a spool and a central hole, a bobbin assembly having a framework surrounding a center hole and a dissolvable tablet within the framework, a screw having a flared head engaging the framework and an elongated threaded section extending through the central hole and the center hole, and a fastener connected to the screw holding the spring in compression when the tablet is solidified. The device also has a line wrapped around the spool connecting the bobber assembly to the housing or the item. When submerged in water, the tablet dissolves, and the spring forces the screw's head through the bobbin assembly, thereby jettisoning the bobber assembly from the housing where it is free to float to the surface for retrieval.