Tip-Up Fish Strike Signaling Assembly with Integrated Lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alerting systems for fish strikes lack a reliable and visible indication mechanism for users when a fish bites through ice, making it difficult to respond promptly and effectively.
Innovation Solution
A fish strike signaling assembly that includes a tip-up mechanism with a lighting unit triggered by a fish bite, utilizing a resilient post, trip wire, and catch system to emit a visible light when activated, ensuring immediate user notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional mechanical tip-up mechanism is used without additional signaling components, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of fish strike detection is insufficient due to lack of visible indication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical tip-up mechanism with an electrical lighting system into a single integrated assembly. The flag mechanism and light emitter are merged such that one mechanical action (flag movement) simultaneously provides both mechanical indication and triggers electrical illumination, resolving the contradiction by unifying multiple signaling functions into one system
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board and electrical contacts act as intermediaries between the mechanical flag movement and the light emitter. When the flag moves due to fish strike, it closes electrical contacts that activate the light through the circuit board, providing a reliable visible signal without requiring direct mechanical connection to the light source
2Reliability
If a lighting unit is added to provide visible indication of fish strike, then the reliability of alerting is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit serves multiple functions: it provides visible indication of fish strike, acts as an alerting mechanism, and can illuminate the fishing area. By making the light serve multiple purposes, the patent justifies the added complexity through enhanced versatility and reliability of the alerting system
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical components (power supply, circuit board, light emitter, switches) are merged into a compact integrated assembly that works together as a unified signaling system, reducing the practical impact of added complexity through space-efficient design
3Illumination intensity
If the lighting unit is always on to ensure visibility, then the illumination reliability is high, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit operates periodically rather than continuously - it activates only when triggered by fish strike detection through the flag mechanism. This periodic operation ensures the light is visible when needed while minimizing energy consumption during non-fishing periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with the flag in a positioned state that automatically triggers the light when fish strike occurs. The preliminary positioning of the flag and electrical contacts ensures immediate light activation without requiring continuous power or manual intervention
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
Provides a reliable and visible alert to users when a fish bites, enabling timely response and increasing the chances of successful fishing through the illumination of the lighting unit upon fish strike detection.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting unit is coupled to the tip-up. The lighting unit emits a visible light when the tip-up is triggered.
Data Source
AI summary
A fish strike signaling assembly for alerting a user to a fish strike includes a tip-up that catches fish. A lighting unit is coupled to the tip-up. The lighting unit emits a visible light when the tip-up is triggered. A power supply is electrically coupled to the lighting unit. A power button is electrically coupled to the power supply and is actuated to an on position to provide power to the lighting unit.