Fish Scaling Device Wedge Blade and Tine Mechanism
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish scaling devices often require brute force and are inefficient in removing fish scales, as they rely on scraping or physical dislodging methods that do not effectively lift and separate scales from the fish body.
Innovation Solution
A fish scaling device featuring a base with parallel tines forming a channel, a wedge blade, and perpendicular fingers that work together to lift and cut scales, allowing for easier removal by sliding the points under the scales and using the wedge blade to drive them into a channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional scraping methods are used to remove fish scales, then the device structure is simple, but the scaling efficiency is low and requires brute force
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the scaling function into multiple specialized components: lifting elements (tines/fingers) that penetrate and elevate scales, cutting elements (wedge blade) that sever scale attachments, and channel structures that guide scale removal. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, resolving the contradiction by achieving high productivity through structured complexity rather than simple brute force scraping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated device: lifting, cutting, separating, and guiding scale removal all occur in a single coordinated action through the combined operation of tines, wedge blade, and channels. This merging of functions achieves high scaling efficiency while maintaining reasonable device complexity through functional integration.
2Ease of operation
If brute force scraping is used to dislodge scales, then the device structure is simple, but the force required is high
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting elements (tines or fingers) act as intermediaries between the user's applying force and the fish scale. Instead of directly scraping the scale with force, the tines first penetrate and lift the scale, creating mechanical advantage and reducing the direct force needed. The wedge blade then acts as an intermediary cutting tool that severs the scale attachment with minimal additional force, making the overall process easier to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary lifting action through the tines/fingers before the cutting action occurs. By first elevating the scale away from the fish body, the subsequent cutting requires less force. This preliminary separation action reduces the effort needed for the main scaling operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
3Reliability
If scales are scraped without lifting, then the process is simple, but the scales are not effectively separated from the body
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the scale removal process into distinct functional zones: lifting zone (tines/fingers penetrating and elevating scales), cutting zone (wedge blade severing attachments), and channel zone (guiding removed scales away). This segmentation ensures reliable scale separation by dedicating specific structural elements to each critical step, with the channel configuration providing the necessary guidance for effective removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the device have specialized local qualities optimized for their specific functions: the tines/fingers have penetrating geometry for lifting, the wedge blade has sharp cutting edges for severing, and the channels have guiding geometry for scale removal. This local quality optimization ensures reliable scale separation through function-specific structural characteristics rather than a uniform simple scraping surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A fish scaling device including a base having a base axis, first and a second extension tines that extend outward from the base to first and second margins, with a first channel formed therebetween, wherein the first and second margins form an acute angle with the base axis. Also a tapered wedge blade expanding toward the base is disposed between the first and second tines, a first and a second finger that extend oppositely outward from the base and first and second tines, wherein the first and second fingers with the wedge blade form a second channel and the respective tines and fingers form first and second points. Operationally, the first and second points lift the fish scale while the first and second margins engage to the fish body, the wedge blade leading edge helps cut the scale from the fish body and the wedge drives the fish scale away.