Wading Staff Integrating Sonar Transducer for Underwater Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shallow water fishermen lack access to sonar technology for navigating underwater environments, which is crucial for safety and effectiveness while wading in rivers or streams, as traditional fishing aids like sonar are not applicable in these conditions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a sonar transducer into a wading staff that transmits sonar beams into the water and processes the returns to generate two-dimensional or three-dimensional sonar images, displayed on a user interface attached to the staff or a remote device, along with environmental sensors to measure conditions like water temperature and current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a wading staff is used to provide stability in shallow water, then the angler's stability is improved, but the angler loses access to sonar technology for navigating the underwater environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a sonar transducer with a wading staff, merging two previously separate tools into a single integrated device. The sonar transducer is mounted on the staff portion, allowing the angler to simultaneously maintain stability through the staff while accessing real-time sonar data about the underwater environment, including fish locations and submerged obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The wading staff is enhanced with multiple functions beyond its traditional stability-providing role. It now includes sonar transduction capabilities for detecting underwater objects, environmental sensors for measuring water conditions, and a user interface for displaying information. This multi-functional design allows a single device to serve both mechanical support and information-gathering purposes.
2Loss of information
If sonar technology is integrated into a wading staff, then access to underwater information is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system is divided into distinct functional modules: a staff portion for structural support, a sonar transducer for emitting and receiving sound waves, environmental sensors for measuring water conditions, a processor for analyzing data, and a user interface for display. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processor as an intermediary component that receives raw data from the sonar transducer and environmental sensors, processes this information, and generates meaningful outputs for the user interface. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by centralizing data processing and coordination between different subsystems.
3Measurement precision
If environmental sensors are added to measure water conditions, then the quality of environmental data is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple environmental sensors (temperature, current, oxygen content) are merged into a single integrated package mounted on the wading staff. This consolidation allows the angler to access comprehensive environmental data through one unified system rather than managing separate measurement devices, thereby improving measurement quality without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
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 shallow water fishermen with real-time visual information about the underwater environment, enhancing their safety and fishing experience by offering stability and improved navigation through sonar imaging and environmental data.
Implementation Method 1
The sonar transducer is configured to transmit a sonar beam into an underwater environment. The sonar transducer is positioned and oriented within the staff portion such that the sonar transducer is configured to transmit the sonar beam into a portion of the underwater environment when the staff is at least partially submerged.
Implementation Method 2
Sonar returns from sonar signals transmitted into the body of water may be used to generate sonar images of the underwater environment
Data Source
AI summary
A wading staff is provided herein that is configured to provide stability for an angler that is standing in a body of water. The wading staff includes a staff portion defining a first end and a second end, a handle disposed proximate the first end of the staff portion, and a sonar transducer disposed at least partially within the staff portion. The sonar transducer is configured to transmit a sonar beam into an underwater environment. The sonar transducer is positioned and oriented within the staff portion such that the sonar transducer is configured to transmit the sonar beam into a portion of the underwater environment when the staff is at least partially submerged. A display may be mounted to the wading staff or located remotely to display corresponding sonar images.