Electric Field Aquatic Organism Sorting Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for sorting aquatic organisms, such as using nets or separators, often damage the organisms due to physical contact, which can lead to scratches and increased risk of infectious diseases, especially when frequent sorting is required for size-based environmental adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus utilizing a container with electrodes that generate an electric field with adjustable parameters to selectively move aquatic organisms based on their characteristics, such as size and type, allowing for sorting without physical contact, thereby reducing damage and enabling more frequent sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If nets or separators are used for sorting aquatic organisms, then sorting can be performed automatically, but the surfaces of the aquatic organisms are damaged due to physical contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic sortingVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical sorting system (nets and separators) with an electric field-based sorting system. Electrodes generate electric fields that interact with the aquatic organisms' biological electric fields, causing them to move to different regions based on their characteristics without physical contact, thereby eliminating surface damage while maintaining automated sorting functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in electric field parameters (voltage, frequency, waveform) to selectively move different types and sizes of aquatic organisms to different regions. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves sorting based on organism characteristics without mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between automated sorting and surface damage prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If sorting is performed frequently to provide appropriate raising environments, then growth can be promoted, but the risk of damage to the surfaces of the aquatic organisms increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting frequencyVSAvoidsurface damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By replacing mechanical nets with electric field-based sorting, the system enables frequent sorting operations without surface damage. The electric field method causes organisms to move voluntarily based on their biological responses, eliminating the physical contact that would cause scratches and allowing sorting to be performed as frequently as needed for optimal growth management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If nets or separators are used for sorting, then sorting can be performed, but scratches on the surfaces of aquatic organisms affect value and increase disease risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting capabilityVSAvoidorganism health

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sorting devices with an electric field-based system that causes aquatic organisms to move to different regions based on their characteristics. This substitution eliminates physical contact and scratches, maintaining sorting capability while preserving organism health and reducing disease risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric field acts as an intermediary between the sorting system and the aquatic organisms. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the electric field mediates the sorting process by interacting with the organisms' biological electric fields, causing them to move voluntarily without physical contact, thus preserving their health

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 apparatus effectively sorts aquatic organisms by utilizing their differential sensitivity to electric fields, minimizing surface damage and allowing for more frequent sorting, thus providing a suitable raising environment tailored to their characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

the electric pulses controlled by the controller are applied to the one or more electrodes to form an electric field so as to selectively move the aquatic organisms in the container to a different portion in the container according to the characteristics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS12041915B2Apparatus for sorting aquatic organisms

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 HOMURA HEAVY IND CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for sorting aquatic organisms having different characteristics in accordance with the characteristics, the apparatus including a container configured to contain the aquatic organisms and water, a plurality of electrodes provided in the container, a controller for controlling electric pulses applied to one or more electrodes of the plurality of electrodes, and a driving-out unit for driving out the aquatic organisms having been sorted, wherein the electric pulses controlled by the controller are applied to the one or more electrodes to form an electric field so as to selectively move the aquatic organisms in the container to different portions in the container according to the characteristics, and the driving-out unit drives out the aquatic organisms to an outside of the container from the portion according to the characteristics, after the aquatic organisms are moved.