Fishing Bite Indicator Using Acceleration Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fishing bite indicators are complex, expensive, and ineffective in detecting small bites, often requiring additional structures and complex assembly, leading to unreliable detection of fish bites and drop bites, especially at night.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, compact bite indicator using an electronic acceleration sensor mounted between the fishing rod holder and rest, with a pivot mechanism and cord clip system that responds to line movements and vibrations, providing optical and acoustic signals for bite detection without additional weight or structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanically operating sensor is used in the bite indicator, then the bite detection function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebite detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensors with a simple electronic acceleration sensor (MEMS) that detects bite movements through electronic principles rather than mechanical linkages. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and mechanical components while maintaining reliable bite detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential detection function from the complex mechanical sensor system and implements it through a simplified electronic acceleration sensor. This extraction allows the removal of unnecessary mechanical components while preserving the core bite detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If additional structures such as swingers are added to detect drop bites, then drop bite detection capability is improved, but the device size, weight, and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrop bite detection reliabilityVSAvoidbite indicator weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensor serves multiple functions: it detects both regular bites and drop bites, as well as provides information about line tension changes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for detecting different bite types, thereby reducing overall device weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bite indicator uses its own weight and the acceleration sensor to detect drop bites without requiring additional separate structures. The system self-determines bite conditions through the sensor's detection of gravitational and inertial forces, eliminating the need for external swingers or additional detection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the fishing line is guided closely to the wheel with guides for the fishing rod, then bite detection precision is improved, but the weight and size of the housing increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebite detection precisionVSAvoidhousing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical line guidance systems with a direct attachment of the acceleration sensor to the fishing line. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical guides and wheel mechanisms, reducing housing weight while maintaining detection precision through electronic sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If complex assembly procedures are implemented to ensure optimal bite detection, then detection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation and handling deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebite detection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bite indicator into modular components: the housing, the acceleration sensor, and the attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows for simple, independent assembly and adjustment, making the device easy to operate and handle while maintaining reliable bite detection through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables reliable detection of even the smallest bites and drop bites, reducing production costs and complexity, while providing easy handling and reliable operation, allowing anglers to detect bites and changes in fishing line tension without constant monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

the acceleration sensor is arranged in the housing of the bite alarm, where it registers movements, vibrations or a swinging down of the bite alarm and at the same time converts this into suitable electronic current pulses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensor detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

the bite indicator attached to the pivot arm can be pivoted downwards by about 90° around the pivot axis due to its gravity during the relaxation and sagging of the fishing line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2280598B1Automatic bite display for angling fish
Publication Date: 2012.02.29 MI&SCARON KATOVIC &ZCARON ELJKO
  • EP2280598B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2280598B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2280598B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic bite display (5) for displaying that a fish (13) has bitten the bait that is attached to the fishing line of a fishing rod (2) that can be placed on a fishing rod holder (1), said fishing rod comprising a reel (3) for reeling in the fishing line. The sensor of the bite display is an electronic acceleration sensor (B) and said bite display (5) comprises a console (21) that is secured between the fishing rod holder and a fishing rod stand (8), that protrudes approximately horizontally in the position of use and extends approximately parallel to the fishing rod (2). A pivoting shaft (27) that can pivot about a pivoting axis and that extends horizontally in the position of use is provided on the console (21). One first end of a pivoting arm (31) is pivotably mounted on the pivoting shaft, the other end supports the housing of the bite display. A line clip-system (17) is mounted on the upper head part of the bite display in the position of use (rest position), said system can be detachably suspended temporarily on the fishing line clamped in the position of use (rest position), and the acceleration sensor (B) is arranged in the housing of the bite display (5), where it moves, vibrates or registers a swiveling downwards movement of the bite display and converts it simultaneously into a suitable electronic flow impulse corresponding to the optionally acoustic and/or optical display device (34, 35).