Containment system for aquatic animals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current containment systems for retail environments require manual removal of aquatic animals, which can lead to long-term water quality issues and maintenance challenges due to the need for chemical, biological, and mechanical filtration, as well as frequent water changes.
Innovation Solution
A modular containment system with removable elements, air distribution, and lighting, designed for short to medium-term aquatic animal display, featuring a base with horizontal shelves, air pumps, manifolds, and nozzles for controlled aeration, and guide elements for easy access and viewing, allowing for efficient display and distribution of aquatic animals without the need for frequent water changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a built-in aquarium tank with cover is used for retail display, then aquatic animals can be displayed in a retail environment, but the cover must be removed for animal removal requiring manual netting and bagging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the containment into modular components: a fixed base structure and removable containment elements. Each containment element can be independently removed from the base, eliminating the need to remove covers or use nets for animal access. This segmentation allows customers to directly access animals in removable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment elements are extracted as separate removable units from the main display base. This extraction allows the containment elements to be freely removed and replaced, providing direct access to aquatic animals without disrupting the main display structure or requiring manual handling tools.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If aquatic animals reside in built-in aquarium for years, then long-term display is achieved, but long-term water quality control requires chemical, biological and mechanical filtration along with frequent water changes
Solution Approach 1:
The containment elements are designed as short-term, disposable units rather than long-term permanent installations. Each containment element is intended for brief use periods, after which it can be easily replaced. This approach eliminates the need for complex long-term filtration systems, as each unit is maintained for short durations only.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the water containment into multiple separate, replaceable elements rather than one large permanent tank. This segmentation allows individual elements to be quickly replaced without affecting other units, simplifying water quality management by eliminating the need for complex continuous filtration systems.
3Ease of operation
If removable containment elements are used for short-term display, then easy access and display is achieved, but controlled aeration and circulation is needed to maintain water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic devices (air pump and tubing) to provide aeration and water circulation within each containment element. The air pump connects via tubing to distribute compressed air throughout the water, creating circulation and oxygenation without requiring complex mechanical filtration or pumping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The aeration system is designed to automatically maintain water conditions through continuous air injection. The pneumatic system self-regulates water circulation and oxygenation without requiring manual intervention, maintaining optimal water conditions throughout the short-term display period.
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 system maintains optimal water conditions and animal health through controlled aeration and circulation, reducing morbidity and mortality rates, and allows for easy access and display of aquatic animals, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operable to produce a flow of compressed air
Implementation Method 2
controlled aeration and circulation, reducing morbidity and mortality rates
Data Source
AI summary
A system for displaying aquatic animals in a retail environment includes a base having a plurality of shelves, and a plurality of removable containment elements disposed on the shelves, each of the containment elements including a bottom, a top, and side walls extending between the top and the bottom to enclose a volume of water. At least one of the side walls defines a flat side viewing panel for viewing an aquatic animal inside of the containment element. Each of the containment elements is a rectangular-shaped that is sized to contain a salable number of aquatic animals.