Biomimetic Turtle Buoyancy Control With Depth Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biomimetic turtle devices lack effective means to control buoyant force and adjust water depth position.
Innovation Solution
The biomimetic turtle device incorporates a trunk unit with a driving mechanism or weight adjusting mechanism, controlled by a circuit module and water depth sensor, to vary its density by altering volume or weight, allowing it to adjust its water depth position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional buoyant regulation means are used to control ascending and descending of the biomimetic turtle device, then the device can change its water depth position, but the control precision and responsiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the volume of the turtle device through the driving mechanism that deforms the dorsal shell and head relative to the trunk. This changes the device's density parameter, enabling precise control of water depth position by varying buoyancy in response to water depth sensor feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through the water depth sensor that continuously detects the current water depth position and sends signals to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected position with the target position and automatically adjusts the device volume through the driving mechanism, creating a closed-loop control system that improves positioning accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the biomimetic turtle device varies its volume to adjust density and water depth position, then the positioning control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the driving mechanism to serve dual purposes: it deforms the dorsal shell and head for volume adjustment while simultaneously serving as part of the turtle's biomimetic structure. The head and dorsal shell are both functional components for swimming and structural components for volume control, reducing the need for separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using a deformable dorsal shell and head structure that can dynamically change volume in response to control signals. The driving mechanism enables continuous adjustment of the device's shape and volume, allowing adaptive control of density and buoyancy rather than relying on fixed discrete adjustments
3Measurement precision
If a water reservoir with weight adjusting mechanism is used to vary weight and adjust density, then the water depth control is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by preferentially adjusting the volume parameter through the driving mechanism rather than changing the weight parameter. By deforming the dorsal shell and head to vary volume, the system achieves density adjustment without adding the weight of water reservoirs and weight adjusting mechanisms, maintaining lighter overall device weight while improving control precision
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
The device can controllably float upward, dive downward, or maintain a fixed level in water by adjusting its density based on the current water depth, enhancing control over its position.
Implementation Method 1
a water depth sensor which detects water depth where the biomimetic turtle device is
Implementation Method 2
the driving mechanism is operated to vary the volume of the trunk unit so as to adjust density of the trunk unit to thereby adjust a water depth position of the biomimetic turtle device
Implementation Method 3
a weight adjusting mechanism which is disposed within the trunk and operable to actuate water storage in and discharging from the water reservoir to vary weight of the trunk unit
Data Source
AI summary
A biomimetic turtle device includes a trunk unit, a limb unit and a control unit. The control unit includes a water depth sensor which detects water depth where the biomimetic turtle device is, and a circuit module which receives the signal from the water depth sensor and determines if the biomimetic turtle device is at a target water depth position, wherein a driving mechanism or a weight adjusting mechanism is operated if the biomimetic turtle device is not at the target water depth position to vary the volume or weight of the trunk unit so as to adjust density of the trunk unit to thereby adjust a water depth position of the biomimetic turtle device.