Removable Sonar Lens for Adjustable Beamwidth in Ice Fishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sonar systems for ice fishing are cumbersome and complex, making them difficult to adapt for different fishing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A marine sonar system with removable sonar lenses that modify beamwidth and acoustic impedance, allowing easy adaptation to various fishing conditions, and a transducer unit that can be suspended in the water without fixed mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sonar systems are used for ice fishing, then sonar functionality is provided, but the equipment is cumbersome and complex making it difficult to adapt for different fishing scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar system is divided into separate modular components: a transducer unit, interchangeable lenses with different beamwidth characteristics, and a housing. This segmentation allows users to swap lenses based on fishing scenarios without replacing the entire system, reducing complexity while increasing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of sonar beamwidth by exchanging lenses with different acoustic characteristics. The transducer unit can be suspended at various positions and angles, enabling adaptive configuration for different fishing conditions such as shallow vs. deep water scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed mounting sonar systems are used, then stable sonar operation is achieved, but the system cannot be easily adapted or repositioned for different fishing locations
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of the transducer unit from the housing allows the transducer to be independently suspended and repositioned without affecting the housing or other components. This modular design enables flexible repositioning while maintaining stable sonar operation through proper suspension techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
A suspension mechanism acts as an intermediary between the transducer unit and the water, allowing the transducer to be positioned at various locations and angles. This intermediary system enables easy repositioning while maintaining stable sonar operation through controlled suspension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sonar systems with fixed lens configuration are used, then the system structure is simple, but the user cannot select desired beamwidth for different fishing depths
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is separated from the transducer unit as an interchangeable component. Users can select different lenses with specific beamwidth characteristics (e.g., narrow beamwidth for deep water, wide beamwidth for shallow water) and attach them to the transducer unit as needed, providing adaptability without permanent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the acoustic parameters (beamwidth, focal length) by exchanging lenses with different physical characteristics. This allows users to adjust sonar performance parameters to match different fishing scenarios such as shallow vs. deep water conditions.
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 easy setup and adaptation of sonar systems for ice fishing, providing improved sonar performance and user experience by allowing selection of desired beamwidth and penetration depth based on fishing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A marine sonar system with removable sonar lenses that modify beamwidth and acoustic impedance
Data Source
AI summary
A transducer system comprises a removable sonar lens, a transducer unit, and a cable extending from the transducer unit to couple the transducer unit to an electronic display unit. The transducer unit may include a main transducer housing, a sonar transducer positioned within the main transducer housing, and an attachment mechanism to enable the sonar lens to removably attach to the main transducer housing adjacent to the sonar transducer. The removable sonar lens can modify the sonar signals generated by the sonar transducer.