Hybrid Fish Thumper Scale with Elastic Weighing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fishing techniques often result in bruised and stressed fish, leading to unpleasant meat, and the handling of multiple tools for measuring and stunning fish can be inconvenient, especially in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid fish thumper-scale device that combines a barrel for stunning fish with a weighing scale, featuring a rigid handle and an elastically coupled weighing mechanism, allowing for efficient measurement and handling of fish in a compact, multi-purpose tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual tools (fish thumper, fish scale, knife, net, etc.) are used for landing and processing fish, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fish thumper barrel, handle, and weighing scale into a single integrated device. The barrel serves as both the stunning instrument and part of the weighing mechanism, while the handle provides both structural support and grip. This merging of multiple functions (stunning, weighing, and handling) into one device directly resolves the contradiction by improving versatility without compromising portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid device is designed to perform multiple functions: stunning the fish with the barrel, weighing the fish using the integrated scale, and providing a secure grip through the handle. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace several traditional tools (fish thumper, fish scale, and handling tool), thereby improving adaptability while maintaining simplicity and portability.
2Ease of operation
If fish are handled extensively before stunning (using nets, stringers, livewells), then the fish can be secured and transported, but the fish stress and meat quality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design allows the fish to be stunned immediately upon capture using the barrel, before any extensive handling occurs. The weighing scale is built into the same device, enabling immediate weighing after stunning without requiring separate tools or additional handling steps. This preliminary action of stunning and weighing right at capture minimizes stress exposure time.
3Measurement precision
If fish are weighed before stunning and bleeding, then the live weight is obtained, but the handling time and fish stress are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing scale is integrated into the fish thumper device itself, allowing the fish to be weighed in the same location and time as stunning. The barrel and scale work together as a unified system, eliminating the need to transport the fish to a separate weighing station or use a different device, thereby reducing handling time while maintaining 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
The device effectively reduces fish stress and bruising by quick stunning and bleeding, while providing a convenient means to measure fish weight, enhancing meat quality and simplifying the fishing process with a single, portable tool.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may be configured to compress under the weight of a fish supported by the weighing scale
Implementation Method 2
the spring is configured to exert a force to counteract the weight of a fish supported by the weighing scale
Data Source
AI summary
Hybrid fish thumper-scale devices. A hybrid fish thumper-scale device includes a barrel configured to stun a fish by striking the fish with the barrel, a handle rigidly coupled to the barrel and configured to be gripped by a user, and a weighing scale configured to provide an indication of the weight of the fish. The weighing scale includes a fixed portion rigidly coupled to the handle and a mobile portion elastically coupled to the handle.