Crab Trap Marine Counter with Radio Beacon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crab traps lack efficient monitoring and counting systems to determine when a preset number of crabs has entered, making it difficult for fishermen to optimize harvesting and profit from their catches.
Innovation Solution
A crab trap equipped with a marine counter device connected to transmitters that detect and count crab entries, triggering a floatable beacon to surface and transmit information via radio, light, or sound when a threshold is reached, allowing for remote monitoring and decision-making on when to retrieve the trap based on crab count and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional crab traps without monitoring systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and profitability are reduced due to inability to determine optimal harvesting times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and counting systems with electronic sensors, counters, and communication devices. The mechanical system of physically checking traps is substituted with an automated electronic monitoring system that uses sensors to detect crab entries, counters to track numbers, and radio transmitters to communicate with surface vessels, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The crab trap system performs self-monitoring and self-reporting functions. The sensors automatically detect when crabs enter the trap, the counter automatically tracks the number of entries, and the radio transmitter automatically sends signals when thresholds are reached, eliminating the need for continuous human monitoring and enabling fishermen to optimize harvesting based on objective data.
2Loss of time
If manual monitoring of crab traps is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time for fishermen to check and retrieve traps is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that detect crab entries and automatically update the count. When the preset threshold is reached, the system provides feedback by triggering the radio transmitter to send a signal to the surface vessel, enabling real-time decision-making about trap retrieval and eliminating the need for time-consuming manual checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and counting actions while the trap is submerged. The sensors continuously detect entries and the counter accumulates data before retrieval is needed. The radio transmitter is pre-programmed to automatically signal when the threshold is reached, so the decision about retrieval timing is made in advance based on accumulated data rather than requiring immediate manual assessment.
3Measurement precision
If no crab counting system is used, then the manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are high, but the measurement precision of crab catches is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual counting methods with automated electronic sensors and counters. The sensor detects physical presence of crabs through the entrance hole, and the electronic counter automatically records each entry with precision, eliminating estimation errors and providing accurate measurement data for harvesting decisions.
4Productivity
If fishermen retrieve traps based on estimation rather than accurate counting, then the device complexity is low, but the profitability is reduced due to suboptimal harvesting decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback on crab catch numbers through automated sensing and counting. When the preset threshold indicating sufficient catch is reached, the radio transmitter sends a signal to the surface vessel, enabling fishermen to make informed decisions about optimal retrieval timing and maximize profitability based on accurate data rather than estimation.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved crab trap having a selectable counting device that actuates floatable transmitters that indicate when a certain number of crabs have entered the trap. The transmitters are connected to receivers that can determine which traps have crabs allowing the fisherman to improve and optimize the counting of crabs and pulling of crab pots.