Fishing Rod Retrieval Device with Automatic Buoyancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fishing rods and other equipment often get lost over water due to sinking when dropped, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent this or aid in retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a balloon, CO2 cartridge, activation sensor, strobe, and GPS/transceiver that inflates a balloon to keep the item afloat and sends location information to a smartphone for retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fishing rod is dropped overboard, then it becomes lost, but existing solutions do not effectively prevent this or aid in retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The device attaches a deployment mechanism to the fishing rod beforehand, with a floatation device stored in a housing that can be automatically deployed when the rod enters the water. This preliminary preparation ensures immediate action upon loss without requiring complex real-time intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses an activation sensor that automatically detects when the fishing rod enters water and triggers the deployment of the floatation device without human intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously responding to the loss condition, eliminating the need for manual activation or complex control systems.
2Force
If a balloon is inflated to prevent sinking, then buoyancy is provided, but the device must activate automatically upon water contact
Solution Approach 1:
An activation sensor acts as an intermediary between the water environment and the floatation device deployment. The sensor detects water contact and mediates the automatic triggering of the CO2 cartridge and balloon deployment, providing simple automatic activation without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a CO2 cartridge that rapidly transitions from a compressed liquid/gas state to an expanded state, inflating the balloon quickly upon activation. This phase transition provides immediate buoyancy force when needed, matching the automatic activation requirement.
3Loss of information
If GPS and transceiver are added to send location information, then retrieval is aided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions into a single compact housing: floatation deployment, strobe light activation, GPS location tracking, and wireless transceiver communication. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating components rather than using separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation sensor, CO2 cartridge, strobe light, GPS, and transceiver are merged into a single integrated device that attaches to the fishing rod. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while providing comprehensive loss prevention and retrieval capabilities.
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
Effectively prevents fishing rods from sinking by inflating a balloon for buoyancy and provides location information for easy retrieval, enhancing the chances of recovering lost items.
Implementation Method 1
The fishing rod retrieving and salvaging device may inflate the balloon if the protected item is exposed to the water so that the protected item is prevented from sinking
Data Source
AI summary
The fishing rod retrieving and salvaging device comprises a balloon, a CO2 cartridge, a valve, an activation sensor, a strobe, a recovery cable, and a housing. The fishing rod retrieving and salvaging device may be coupled to a protected item to prevent the protected item from becoming lost over water. As non-limiting examples, the protected item may be a fishing rod that may be dropped overboard from a boat. The fishing rod retrieving and salvaging device may inflate the balloon if the protected item is exposed to the water so that the protected item is prevented from sinking. In some embodiments, the fishing rod retrieving and salvaging device may attempt to send positional information to a smart phone to aid in locating the protected item.