Handheld Fish Scale With Rotatable Alignment for Accurate Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld portable fish scales face inaccuracies due to misalignment and movement of the article being weighed, which can be exacerbated by the user's inability to hold the scale correctly, leading to friction and binding issues that affect measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A handheld fish scale with a rotatable alignment element that allows self-alignment of the weight gauge components with the item being weighed, irrespective of the user's grip, using a hemispherical rotational element and alignment stops to maintain vertical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the scale is held at various angles or positions, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment element is made rotatable to dynamically adjust its orientation. The alignment element can rotate about a rotation axis to change its angular position, allowing it to self-align with the weight gauge components regardless of how the scale body is held. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt to different holding positions while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment element is designed to automatically self-align with the weight gauge components through its rotatable feature. The system performs the alignment function without requiring external intervention or manual adjustment by the user. The rotatable alignment element naturally orients itself to maintain vertical alignment between the scale and the item being weighed, regardless of the user's grip position.
2Measurement precision
If the alignment element is made rotatable to maintain vertical alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment element is segmented into distinct functional parts: a rotatable alignment element with a rotation axis, weight gauge components, and a scale body. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together as a system. The rotatable alignment element can rotate about the rotation axis without affecting the other components, simplifying the overall design while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable alignment element introduces a single degree of freedom (rotation about an axis) to the system. This limited dynamic capability is sufficient to resolve the alignment issue without requiring complex multi-axis adjustment mechanisms. The simplicity of the rotational motion keeps the device complexity low while achieving the desired measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the scale body is moved or tilted during weighing, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to friction and binding
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable alignment element allows the scale body to be moved or tilted in various positions while maintaining vertical alignment between the alignment element and the weight gauge components. The rotation capability enables the system to accommodate user convenience movements without causing friction or binding that would affect measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment element automatically maintains vertical alignment with the weight gauge components regardless of the scale body's position. This self-aligning characteristic eliminates the need for the user to carefully control the scale's orientation, allowing for easier operation while preventing friction and binding issues that would compromise measurement precision.
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
Ensures accurate weight measurements by maintaining vertical alignment between the scale and the item, even when held at various angles, enhancing usability for solo anglers and reducing stress on the fish during catch-and-release fishing.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable alignment element which is configured to rotate about a rotation axis to self-align the weight gauge components with the item being weighed
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld fish scale is provided. The handheld scale includes a rotatable alignment element which provides for the self-alignment of the weight gauge components of the handheld scale and the item being weighed irrespective of the position in which a user holds the body of the handheld scale. The handheld fish scale can include a scale body, a weight gauge assembly, and a rotatable alignment element including a hemispherical rotational element. The hemispherical rotational element is in rotational contact with the scale body.