Buoyant Fish Strike Indicator with Accelerometer and RGB LED
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishing accessories lack effective visual indicators that can remotely signal a fish strike to the angler, especially in varying lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant visible fish strike indicator with a buoyant main housing and a light-transmissible light housing, equipped with an indicator illumination assembly that includes a tilt switch, power source, accelerometer, microprocessor, current limiting resistor system, and an RGB LED system, which detects vertical positioning events to emit distinct light patterns indicating a fish strike.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an accelerometer and microprocessor system is added to detect fish strikes, then the detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the accelerometer, microprocessor, LED illumination system, and power source into a single integrated floating indicator device. This merging of multiple functional components into one unified system improves detection reliability while managing device complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating indicator serves multiple functions: it detects fish strikes via accelerometer, provides visual signaling through RGB LEDs with multiple patterns, floats on water surface, and offers remote visibility. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive fishing assistance in one device.
2Loss of information
If an RGB LED system with multiple colors and patterns is used, then the information content of the visual signal is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic LED patterns including blinking, pulsing, and alternating color sequences to convey different fish strike information. These periodic actions provide rich information content about strike intensity and type while managing energy consumption through intermittent operation rather than continuous illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The RGB LED system uses color changes (red, green, blue, yellow, aqua, purple, white) to differentiate between various fish strike conditions. This color variability increases visual signal information content, allowing anglers to distinguish between minor and significant strikes, and to receive feedback about fishing conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the indicator is made buoyant to float on water surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a buoyant housing that counteracts the weight of the electronic components (accelerometer, power source, LEDs). This buoyancy design allows the device to float on the water surface, making it easy to deploy and retrieve while the housing structure integrates all components into a water-resistant package.
4Measurement precision
If tilt switches are used to sense vertical positioning events, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tilt switch mechanisms with an accelerometer-based detection system. The accelerometer electronically senses vertical positioning events and fish strikes through acceleration measurements, eliminating the need for mechanical switches while improving measurement precision and reducing moving parts.
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 system reliably signals fish strikes with visible illumination that can be easily seen in various lighting conditions, enhancing the fishing experience by providing clear visual cues of both minor and significant fish strikes.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant main housing having a horizontal center axis and a center of gravity beneath the horizontal center axis, whereby the main housing is configured to normally float in an upright horizontal position on a water body
Implementation Method 2
at least one tilt switch configured to sense a vertical positioning event in which the main housing deploys from the upright horizontal position to a vertical position
Implementation Method 3
an accelerometer interfacing with the power source and receiving the electrical power from the power source, the accelerometer for sensing specific directions and patterns of movement of the visual fish strike indicator, and generating fish strike indicator position data
Implementation Method 4
an RGB LED system interfacing with the current limiting resistor system, the RGB LED system for receiving the electrical current and emitting a visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A visible fish strike indicator may include a buoyant main housing with a horizontal center axis and center of gravity beneath the horizontal center axis allowing the indicator to float upright on water. A light-transmissible housing can be detachably supported by the main housing, with an indicator illumination assembly that includes an accelerometer. The accelerometer senses the indicator's position and accelerative forces. A microprocessor interfaces with the accelerometer to analyze position data and generate command signals. These signals control a current-limiting resistor system, which regulates electrical currents to an RGB LED system. This light-transmissible housing emits different colors to signal indicator operation or a fish strike.