Foldable Decoy System Using Hinged Modular Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing military decoys face challenges such as high cost, large storage space requirements, and lack of credibility under modern surveillance technologies. They are often cumbersome to transport and assemble, and their spectral signatures may not accurately mimic those of their original counterparts.
Innovation Solution
A foldable decoy system comprising a support structure made of multiple hingedly attached support modules and a cover structure with overlapping cover modules. This design allows for easy assembly and disassembly, compact storage, and transportation by hand, while maintaining a credible size, shape, and spectral signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass- or carbon-fibre composites are used to fabricate military decoys, then the spectral signature and resemblance to original counterparts is improved, but the cost and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decoy is divided into multiple modular components including support modules, cover modules, and spectral elements that can be separately stored and assembled. This segmentation allows compact storage while maintaining the ability to construct a full-sized decoy with credible spectral signature when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed to nest within each other when not in use, with support modules containing cover modules, and spectral elements stored within the structure. This nesting approach significantly reduces storage volume while preserving the complete functionality of the decoy system.
2Ease of operation
If inflatables are used for decoys, then ease of transport and storage is improved, but credibility under modern military surveillance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable decoy is segmented into modular components that can be transported separately and assembled on-site. This allows the benefits of inflatable portability while enabling the assembly of a structurally sound decoy with credible spectral elements that can withstand modern surveillance technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoy combines inflatable structures with rigid spectral elements made from composite materials. This composite approach maintains the ease of transport and storage of inflatable structures while providing the structural integrity and spectral accuracy needed for credible military deception.
3Ease of manufacture
If a frame covered by a sheet is used to create a decoy, then cost and weight are reduced, but assembly complexity and spectral response limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into standardized modular components with universal connection interfaces. This segmentation simplifies assembly by reducing the number of unique parts and enabling systematic construction, while maintaining cost-effectiveness through standardized manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal connection mechanisms that can be assembled in various configurations. This universality reduces assembly complexity by allowing the same components to serve multiple structural roles, while the standardized design maintains cost-effectiveness through economies of scale.
4Weight of moving object
If a frame covered by a sheet is used to create a decoy, then weight and transportability are improved, but spectral response and distance observation tolerance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The decoy structure is segmented into lightweight modular components that can be optimized for weight reduction while incorporating dedicated spectral elements. This segmentation allows the main structure to remain lightweight for easy transport while ensuring spectral elements are positioned and configured to provide accurate spectral response across various observation distances.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a decoy comprising a support structure comprising a plurality of support modules, each of which support modules comprises a plurality of support panels fixedly or hingedly attached together, and a cover structure configured to be joined with the support structure, which cover structure comprises at least one cover module, which cover module comprises a plurality of cover panels hingedly attached together. The plurality of support modules are spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of support panels and/or the plurality of cover panels are configured to be folded between an operational state and a folded state.