Underwater Diver Locator with Floating GPS Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater diver location devices are cumbersome, costly, and prone to damage due to the use of inflatable collars, pressurized reservoirs, and electric cables that serve both signal transmission and traction functions, limiting their effectiveness and increasing production complexity.
Innovation Solution
A device with a floating system that uses a GPS sensor and display unit housed in a waterproof, partially transparent casing, connected by a traction cable, allowing precise location determination and route calculation without requiring the diver to surface, featuring a manual winder system for cable management and eliminating the need for additional buoyancy elements or separate signal transmission cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inflatable collar and pressure tank are used to make the antenna float, then the antenna can rise to the surface, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inflatable collar and pressure tank from the system, replacing them with a simple foam buoyancy element that is pre-attached to the antenna. This extraction of complex mechanical inflation systems while retaining the essential floating function directly resolves the contradiction between reliability of rising and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical cable is used both for signal transmission and as a pull cable, then the cable must be strong enough for both functions, but this significantly increases its cost and complicates production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cable system into two separate components: a thin electrical cable for signal transmission and a separate pull cord made of strong material for retrieval. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the electrical cable being thin and flexible and the pull cord being strong and simple, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the electrical cable is used as a pull cable to bring the antenna back, then the risk of damaging the cable increases, but using a stronger cable increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the electrical cable from the retrieval function and introducing a dedicated pull cord, the patent eliminates the risk of damaging the electrical cable during retrieval operations. The pull cord is specifically designed for mechanical stress while the electrical cable remains protected, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
4Measurement precision
If a floating antenna system is used to receive GPS signals, then the diver's position can be determined, but the diver must return to the surface which increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a waterproof housing that acts as an intermediary, allowing the GPS antenna and display unit to remain submerged while still functioning. The housing protects the electronics from water while enabling position determination and route calculation to occur underwater, eliminating the need for the diver to surface and thus reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision.
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 solution provides a robust, cost-effective, and simple-to-use device that allows underwater divers to determine their position and navigate between locations without surfacing, reducing the risk of damage and operational complexity while maintaining precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a position sensor configured to receive a signal containing geodetic coordinates (xn, yn) of a position Pn of said diver
Implementation Method 2
said floating system being configured to rise to the surface of the water prior to the reception of the signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
A location device (1) allowing an underwater diver (P) to locate themselves, comprising: • - a floating system (10) comprising: • - a location unit (2) comprising: • o a position sensor (21); • o a display system (22); • - a watertight and water pressure resistant casing (3) accommodating said location unit; • - a traction cable (4) fastened by one of the ends (41) thereof to the floating system, said floating system being configured to rise to the water surface (S) before the position sensor receives a signal containing the geodesic coordinates (xn, yn) and being configured to be brought close to the underwater diver, by means of the traction cable (4), once the position sensor has received the signal containing the geodesic coordinates.