Camera-Integrated Mechanical Fishing Tool for Real-Time Grapple Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overshot grapple fishing tools lack real-time visual information about the shape, location, and orientation of the fish, leading to costly and time-consuming fishing operations due to the need for trial and error in attaching the grapple to the fish.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a camera into the overshot grapple fishing tool to provide real-time imaging of the grapple section, along with a fluid passage to clean the lens and cavity of debris, ensuring clear visibility during fishing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera is added to provide real-time visual information, then fishing operation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is nested within the grapple body structure, specifically positioned in the cavity to image the fish. This integration allows the camera to be housed within the existing grapple components without requiring a separate external mounting system, thereby providing real-time visual information while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grapple body is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the gripping mechanism for catching the fish and as the housing for the camera system. The cavity that naturally exists in the grapple structure is utilized to accommodate the camera, allowing the same structural element to fulfill both mechanical and imaging functions.
2Measurement precision
If fluid is pumped into the cavity to remove debris, then image quality is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid passage is provided within the grapple body to pump fluid into the cavity where the fish is held. This hydraulic system uses fluid pressure to remove crude and debris from the imaging area, thereby improving image quality for the camera without requiring complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the camera and the fish. The fluid acts as a cleaning medium that flows over the fish and cavity surfaces, removing debris and crude that would otherwise obstruct the camera's view, thus improving image quality indirectly through a intermediary cleaning action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trial and error methods are used to attach grapple to fish, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera provides real-time visual feedback about the fish's shape, location, and orientation to the operator. This feedback allows the operator to see exactly how the grapple is positioned relative to the fish and make immediate adjustments, eliminating the need for trial and error methods and significantly reducing the time required to successfully attach the grapple.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical trial-and-error process of attaching the grapple is replaced with a visual guidance system. Instead of relying on mechanical feel and repeated attempts, the camera system provides optical information that guides the operator in achieving proper grapple attachment on the first attempt, substituting mechanical experimentation with visual precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A fishing tool comprises: a main body; a grapple section including a proximal end connected to the main body and a distal end opposite the proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening that extends into a cavity of the grapple section; and grapple segments positioned on an interior wall of the cavity of the grapple section. A camera is fixedly mounted to the main body and configured to image at least a portion of the cavity of the grapple section. The fishing tool may further comprise a fluid passage configured to cause fluid to flow radially inwards toward a lens of the camera.