Variable-Volume Buoyancy Housing for Underwater Balance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buoyancy adjustment systems for underwater devices, such as cameras, are inconvenient for users to operate and adjust buoyancy balance effectively, as they often require complex arrangements of buoyant bodies or weight distribution, which can be cumbersome and difficult to manage.
Innovation Solution
A buoyancy adjusting apparatus with a volume-changeable portion and an operation receiver that allows users to easily adjust the buoyancy of the device by changing the volume of the volume-changeable portion, coupled to the device, enabling neutral buoyancy and facilitating user control over the device's buoyancy and balance in fluid environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If many buoyant bodies are housed in a housing case with complex arrangement mechanisms, then buoyancy adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being adjusted from the number/arrangement of buoyant bodies to the volume of a single variable-volume buoyant body. The buoyant body's volume can be continuously changed to adjust buoyancy, replacing the discrete adjustment of multiple buoyant bodies with continuous volume modification of one body.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable-volume buoyant body serves multiple functions: it provides buoyancy, enables buoyancy adjustment through volume change, and replaces the need for multiple separate buoyant bodies and their arrangement mechanisms. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall system while maintaining adjustment capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buoyant bodies are used with lid movement mechanisms for arrangement, then buoyancy balance adjustment is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving multiple buoyant bodies to adjust balance, the patent changes the approach by varying the volume of a single buoyant body. This parameter change enables both buoyancy and balance adjustment through a single mechanism, greatly improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cylindrical members with spring mechanisms are used for automatic buoyancy adjustment, then adaptability to water depth is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a variable-volume buoyant body whose volume can be changed in response to water pressure. This approach achieves automatic adaptation to water depth while simplifying the mechanism compared to cylindrical members with springs and receiving chambers.
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 solution enhances user convenience by allowing easy adjustment of buoyancy and balance, enabling the device to float, sink, or maintain a predetermined depth, improving handling and reducing the need for additional support structures, thus simplifying underwater operations.
Implementation Method 1
The volume of the volume-changeable portion is changeable according to the operation received by the operation receiver, to change the buoyancy of the buoyancy-adjustment target in fluid
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A buoyancy adjusting apparatus includes: a volume-changeable portion (21) configured to be coupled to a buoyancy-adjustment target (10); and an operation receiver (201) configured to receive an operation from a user to change a volume of the volume-changeable portion. The volume of the volume-changeable portion (20) is changeable according to the operation received by the operation receiver (201), to change a buoyancy or buoyancy balance of the buoyancy-adjustment target (10) in fluid.