Floating Sensor With Hinged Wing And Solar Panel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor systems lack the capability to effectively float on water surfaces while maintaining electronic components dry and powered, limiting their ability to collect data in aquatic environments.

Innovation Solution

A waterproof housing with a hingeably attached wing structure and solar panels, utilizing a water-soluble restraint mechanism to deploy and float the system, along with a self-scuttling feature for retrieval prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing sensor systems are placed in water environments, then data collection capability is improved, but electronic components cannot remain dry and powered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidelectronic component protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two distinct segments: a waterproof housing containing electronic components that remains submerged, and a floating wing structure with solar panels that stays on the water surface. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal environment while maintaining functional connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A hinge mechanism serves as an intermediary connection between the waterproof housing and the floating wing structure. This hinge allows controlled relative movement while maintaining the structural relationship, enabling the system to adapt to water surface conditions while protecting electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If sensor systems float on water surfaces, then aquatic data collection is improved, but electronic components become exposed to water damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaquatic data collectionVSAvoidwater exposure to electronics

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the floating function (wing structure with solar panels) from the electronic components (waterproof housing), allowing the electronics to remain submerged and protected while the floating structure collects data from the aquatic environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof housing is designed with a scuttling mechanism that allows it to be intentionally sunk and discarded after use, providing a cost-effective solution for temporary aquatic monitoring missions where retrieval is not necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Duration of action of moving object

If solar panels are added to power the system, then operational duration is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational durationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating wing structure serves multiple functions: it provides buoyancy to keep the system afloat, supports the solar panels for power generation, and houses the hinge mechanism for connection to the waterproof housing. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite adding power capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a scuttling mechanism is added for security, then data security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidmechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scuttling mechanism is designed to be automatically triggered by the electronics assembly, which initiates the sinking process when security conditions are met. This self-service approach minimizes the complexity of the mechanical components while achieving the security function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables continuous data collection from aquatic environments with submerged electronics and solar-powered sensors, while ensuring secure data transmission and optional self-destruction for security or maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a solar panel configured on the wing structure to provide power to the electronics assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a wing structure hingeably attached to the waterproof housing and operable to float the system on a water surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11156483B2Floating sensor

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 ARETE ASSOCIATES INC

AI summary

Systems and methods herein provide for floating sensors. In one embodiment, a system includes a waterproof housing, an electronics assembly mounted within the waterproof housing, and a wing structure hingeably attached to the waterproof housing and operable to float the system on a water surface. The system also includes a solar panel configured on the wing structure to provide power to the electronics assembly.