Fish Sorting and Cooling Apparatus Using Optical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing and storing large quantities of freshly caught fish are inefficient, leading to prolonged handling times and potential damage, which compromises the quality and value of the fish due to delayed cooling and storage.
Innovation Solution
A high-throughput imaging and sorting system that uses a line scanner and computing means to determine fish characteristics, such as size, weight, and species, to divert fish directly to appropriate cooling compartments on a fishing vessel, facilitating rapid and precise batching and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fish are handled manually for batching before cooling, then sorting can be performed, but handling time increases and fish quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated optical-mechanical system. A camera captures images of fish on the conveyor belt, computing means automatically determine batch destination based on fish characteristics, and a diverting mechanism automatically directs fish to appropriate cooling compartments. This substitution eliminates manual handling time while maintaining sorting functionality, directly resolving the contradiction between sorting productivity and handling time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service sorting where the fish themselves are sorted based on their own characteristics (size, weight, species) without requiring external manual intervention. The automated imaging and computing system reads fish characteristics and the diverting mechanism responds automatically, allowing the process to serve itself without human labor, thus reducing handling time while maintaining sorting capability.
2Productivity
If fish are processed quickly through manual handling, then throughput can be maintained, but fish damage increases and quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling that causes fish damage with a gentle automated system. Fish travel on a conveyor belt that minimizes physical contact and stress. The diverting mechanism uses controlled mechanical action rather than rough manual handling, reducing damage while maintaining processing speed. This substitution directly addresses the contradiction by eliminating the harmful effects of manual handling while preserving productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional batching methods are used, then fish can be sorted, but cooling delay occurs and fish value is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting action while fish are still moving on the conveyor belt before they reach the cooling compartments. The camera captures images and the computing means determine batch destinations in advance, allowing the diverting mechanism to direct fish to the correct cooling compartment immediately upon arrival. This preliminary action eliminates cooling delays by preparing the sorting decision before the fish reach the cooling point, thus maintaining both sorting capability and rapid cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by processing fish continuously on the conveyor belt without interruption for sorting decisions. The automated imaging and computing operate in real-time as fish pass by, eliminating stops or delays in the cooling process. This continuity ensures that sorting and cooling occur simultaneously in an uninterrupted flow, preventing cooling delays while maintaining sorting versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for batching fish into cooling devices. The method and the device can be used for receiving fish after bleeding and gutting freshly caught fish on board a fishing vessel and batching the fish into cooling devices. The batching and cooling apparatus and method may be used to increase the value of the fish by shortening the time from the fish is caught until the fish is chilled for storing.