Fish Finder Transducer Failure Detection Using Impedance and Echo
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional underwater detection devices fail to accurately determine transducer failures until defects are significantly advanced, relying solely on impedance measurements which are influenced by environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
An underwater detection device that combines two failure determination processes: one based on transducer impedance and another on echo intensity, ensuring stable and early detection of transducer failures by using complementary criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only impedance measurement is used for failure determination, then the determination process is simple, but the failure detection is delayed until defects are significantly advanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different determination processes (impedance-based and echo intensity-based) into a unified failure determination system. The processing circuitry executes both processes and integrates their results to determine transducer failure, thereby improving detection accuracy while managing system complexity through structured integration
2Measurement precision
If impedance threshold is rigidly set for failure determination, then the determination criterion is clear, but environmental variations cause false determinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the determination parameter from fixed impedance threshold to a dual-parameter system combining impedance and echo intensity. This allows the system to adapt to environmental variations by using echo intensity as a reference that remains relatively stable across different conditions, thereby maintaining precision while improving adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If only echo intensity is used for failure determination, then environmental variations are compensated, but early failure signs are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the determination process into two independent evaluation paths: one evaluating impedance characteristics and another evaluating echo intensity characteristics. Each path serves a specific function (impedance for early detection, echo intensity for environmental compensation), and their combined results provide comprehensive failure determination
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 early and stable detection of transducer failures by utilizing both impedance and echo intensity measurements, enhancing reliability and accuracy in determining transducer health.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the water and reflected waves are received
Implementation Method 2
Echo data corresponding to the intensity of the received reflected waves are generated
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an underwater detection device, a transducer failure determination method, and a program capable of quickly and stably determining a transducer failure. A fish finder (underwater detection device) includes a transmission voltage measuring circuit for measuring a transmission voltage supplied to a transducer, a transmission current measuring circuit for measuring a transmission current supplied to the transducer, and a control circuit. The control circuit calculates the impedance of the transducer from the transmission voltage and the transmission current, and determines that the transducer has failed based on determining that the transducer is not normal in both of a first determination process for determining whether the transducer is normal or not based on the impedance and a second determination process for determining whether the transducer is normal or not based on an echo strength.