Timed Bait Release Enclosure for Marine Traps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine animal traps face challenges in retaining bait for extended periods due to ocean currents and marine animal interference, requiring frequent re-baiting and increasing the workload, risk, and cost for fishermen.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable enclosure and a water-soluble timing element that automatically opens after a predetermined time, releasing the bait while protecting it from interference, using a buoyancy mechanism and guiding elements to ensure controlled exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bait is openly placed inside the trap chamber to attract crustaceans, then the bait accessibility is improved, but the bait retention time deteriorates due to ocean currents and marine animal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The bait containment system is segmented into a protective enclosure (bait chamber with lid) that separates the bait from the external environment. This segmentation allows the bait to be protected during transport and deployment while enabling controlled exposure when needed, thus extending retention time without sacrificing accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bait is pre-positioned inside the protective enclosure before deployment. The enclosure is prepared in advance with the bait secured inside, allowing the trap to be deployed with extended bait retention capability already in place, eliminating the need for frequent re-baiting trips.
2Productivity
If the trap is left on the ocean floor for an extended period to attract sufficient crustaceans, then the fishing efficiency is improved, but the bait depletion rate increases requiring frequent re-baiting
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure segments the bait from marine animals and currents, preventing premature consumption and washaway. This allows the trap to remain deployed for extended periods (multiple days) without bait depletion, thereby improving fishing efficiency without requiring frequent re-baiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a disposable protective enclosure that can be easily replaced. The enclosure is designed to be simple and inexpensive, allowing it to be discarded after use and replaced with a new one containing fresh bait, thus enabling extended fishing operations without the need to retrieve and re-bait expensive traps.
3Reliability
If frequent re-baiting is performed to maintain bait availability, then the bait freshness is improved, but the work time and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bait is pre-loaded into the protective enclosure during trap preparation on land, before deployment. This preliminary action ensures bait availability is secured in advance, eliminating the need for frequent retrieval trips and reducing time loss at sea while maintaining reliable bait availability throughout the extended deployment period.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective enclosure with its controlled release mechanism allows the bait to serve itself by remaining protected and available throughout the deployment period without requiring external intervention for re-baiting, thus reducing the time and resources needed for trap maintenance.
4Ease of operation
If the bait is exposed early to attract crustaceans, then the attraction effectiveness is improved, but the fishing duration is reduced due to premature bait depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The protective enclosure segments the bait from the external environment, allowing the trap to be deployed with the bait protected inside. The enclosure can then be opened to expose the bait for attraction while the segmented structure prevents premature depletion, thus extending fishing duration without sacrificing attraction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static protected state to a dynamic exposed state. The protective enclosure remains closed during transport and deployment, then opens to expose the bait for attraction, and can remain open or be reopened as needed throughout the fishing duration, providing dynamic control over bait exposure while extending overall fishing time.
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
This solution reduces the frequency of re-baiting and extends the fishing time by maintaining bait protection and controlled release, minimizing the need for frequent trap checks and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The timing element comprises a timing element body made of a water soluble material
Implementation Method 2
using a buoyancy mechanism and guiding elements to ensure controlled exposure
Data Source
AI summary
A device for timed release of a bait. The device comprises an enclosure with a release portion of the enclosure being movable between a closed position for enclosing the bait therein and an open position for exposing the bait. An actuating mechanism is connected to the enclosure for moving the release portion of the enclosure from the closed position to the open position. A timing mechanism is connected to at least one of the enclosure and the actuating mechanism. The timing mechanism triggers the movement of the release portion of the enclosure from the closed position to the open position after elapse of a predetermined time interval.