Removable Fish Containers with Continuous Water Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pet stores face challenges in displaying and managing large quantities of live fish, particularly those that require isolation, as existing systems disrupt water circulation when removing fish containers for purchase, leading to inefficiencies and potential stress on the fish.
Innovation Solution
A fish display apparatus with a multi-shelf array and reservoir tank system that continuously circulates water through removable containers using displacement or rocker valves, ensuring uninterrupted water flow and easy removal of individual containers for purchase, while maintaining a healthy environment for the fish.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single aquarium houses multiple fish, then space utilization is improved, but fish safety deteriorates due to attacks between certain fish species
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the aquarium display into multiple individual containers, each housing a single fish or small group. These containers are arranged in an array within the larger aquarium structure, allowing spatial separation of potentially aggressive fish while maintaining overall display coherence and maximizing space utilization.
2Device complexity
If hand netting is used to transfer fish, then equipment complexity is reduced, but operation time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automatic transfer mechanisms including conveyor belts, elevators, and robotic arms that autonomously move fish between containers and display areas. This self-service automation eliminates manual netting operations, significantly reducing transfer time and labor requirements while maintaining low equipment complexity through modular design.
3Ease of operation
If water circulation is stopped during container removal, then fish container accessibility is improved, but fish health deteriorates due to interrupted water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous water circulation through the aquarium and individual containers during container removal operations. Multiple water circulation pathways and redundant pumps ensure that water flow never stops, providing uninterrupted oxygenation and waste removal for fish even when containers are being accessed or replaced.
4Productivity
If multiple fish containers are displayed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to water circulation management
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal water circulation architecture where a central pump system serves all containers through a network of distribution manifolds and return lines. This multi-functional design allows the same water circulation infrastructure to support any number of containers, enabling high display capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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 simultaneous display and continuous water circulation for multiple fish containers, allowing seamless removal and replacement without interrupting the water flow, providing an optimal environment for fish and simplifying customer purchases without store assistance.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir tank retaining water, said reservoir tank in fluid communication with said gravity tank, said transverse supply conduits and said transverse supply troughs; a water pump delivering water from said reservoir tank through said gravity tank to said transverse supply conduits
Implementation Method 2
valves in fluid communication with said transverse supply conduits, each of said valves being associated with and actuated by one of said fish containers retained by said horizontal shelves, said valves delivering water from said transverse supply conduit into said fish containers
Implementation Method 3
a gravity tank, transverse supply conduits and transverse return troughs; a reservoir tank retaining water, said reservoir tank in fluid communication with said gravity tank
Data Source
AI summary
A fish display apparatus continuously circulating water through a plurality of removable live fish containers, whereby a large number of individual containers containing one or more fish may be easily displayed to customers and whereby any single container may be removed by the customer for purchase of the fish contained therein without stopping or interfering with the flow of water passing through the remaining containers.