Encapsulated Battery Ballast for Motorized Waterfowl Decoys

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional static waterfowl decoys lack motion, which can spook wary waterfowl and hinder hunting success, and existing motorized decoys face issues with battery reliability and environmental safety due to sensitivity to heat and water exposure.

Innovation Solution

A motorized waterfowl decoy system powered by an external, completely enclosed and encapsulated battery system that serves as both a power source and ballast, preventing water intrusion and eliminating the need for lead weights, with a removable and rechargeable design for enhanced usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If conventional lithium-ion batteries are used in motorized decoys, then the decoys can be compact and lightweight, but the batteries are sensitive to heat, impacts, and water contact, leading to reliability failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery weightVSAvoidbattery reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is enclosed in a protective housing that provides mechanical protection against impacts and environmental protection against water and heat before any damage can occur. This pre-protective measure ensures the battery maintains reliability in harsh hunting conditions while keeping the overall design compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Volume of moving object

If conventional lithium-ion batteries are used in motorized decoys, then the decoys can be compact, but the batteries will often fail with the slightest contact with water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery volumeVSAvoidwater sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is sealed within a waterproof housing that acts as a flexible barrier against water intrusion. This protective shell allows the compact battery design to maintain its small volume while providing complete protection against water contact in wetland and impoundment hunting environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Device complexity

If the power system is integrated into the decoy body, then the system is simpler, but the battery is vulnerable to environmental damage and cannot be easily recharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower system complexityVSAvoidenvironmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The power system is segmented into a separate, removable battery unit with its own protective housing, distinct from the main decoy body. This segmentation allows the battery to be easily removed for recharging while maintaining environmental protection, and simplifies the overall system by allowing independent replacement or upgrading of the power component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Force

If lead weights are used as ballast, then the decoy can be anchored effectively, but lead is harmful to the environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring forceVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The battery housing is designed to provide ballast function instead of lead weights. The protective housing materials and the battery assembly itself create sufficient weight for anchoring the decoy in wetland environments, eliminating the need for harmful lead while maintaining effective anchoring force. This converts a potentially harmful component into a beneficial environmental solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system provides reliable and environmentally friendly power to motorized decoys, ensuring consistent movement attraction of waterfowl while protecting batteries from environmental damage and eliminating the need for lead weights, thus enhancing hunting success and safety.

Implementation Method 1

The battery can be sealed against moisture intrusion by being disposed within a sealed enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

the power system serves a dual purpose of providing power to the motor(s) while acting as a ballast, or as an anchor, to anchor the motorized decoy to the bottom of a wetland or impoundment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20230380411A1Motorized wildlife decoy and battery system

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 BASKFIELD TYLER J

AI summary

A motorized wildlife decoy can be powered by an external power system that includes a completely enclosed or encapsulated battery that is connected to the decoy to power the drive motor(s). The power system is separate from the decoy body but can be electrically coupled to the decoy body. When coupled, the power system serves a dual purpose of providing power to the motors while acting as a ballast, or as an anchor, to anchor the motorized decoy to the bottom of a wetland, impoundment, field or other area that is being hunted.