Motorized Waterfowl Decoy with 360-Degree Rotating Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional waterfowl decoys lack motion, which is essential for attracting waterfowl, as live waterfowl are not drawn to static decoys on smooth water surfaces, and existing motorized decoys do not accurately mimic real feeding behavior.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered waterfowl decoy system that rotates a weighted head 360 degrees, allowing it to plunge into the water and tilt the body, replicating the feeding behavior of dabbling ducks and geese, with a mechanism involving a drive cam and motor to create a realistic and repetitive motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional static decoys are used, then the decoy structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the decoy lacks motion and cannot attract waterfowl

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion of decoyVSAvoiddecoy structure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static decoy structure into a dynamic one. A motorized drive system rotates the decoy head 360 degrees around a vertical axis, while a cam mechanism controls the head's up-and-down motion to simulate feeding behavior. This dynamic transformation allows the decoy to exhibit realistic movements that attract waterfowl, directly resolving the contradiction between motion and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through the motor-driven rotation of the decoy head, which continuously cycles through 360 degrees. The cam mechanism creates periodic up-and-down motion of the head during rotation, mimicking the natural feeding rhythm of waterfowl. This periodic movement pattern makes the decoy attractive to live waterfowl while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If motorized decoys with head rotation are used, then the feeding behavior is more realistic, but the motion is not fully realistic of true waterfowl feeding behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemimicry of feeding behaviorVSAvoidrealism of motion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the rotational speed of the motor and the timing of the cam mechanism. The head rotation speed and vertical motion amplitude are optimized to match natural waterfowl feeding patterns. This parameter optimization ensures the decoy's movements are indistinguishable from real waterfowl, resolving the contradiction between mechanical operation simplicity and motion realism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary between the motor's continuous rotation and the desired intermittent up-and-down head motion. The cam profile is specifically designed to create realistic feeding movements by converting uniform rotational motion into the characteristic dipping motion of waterfowl. This intermediary mechanism achieves highly realistic motion while keeping the overall system relatively simple to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the decoy head plunges into water quickly, then the feeding behavior is more realistic, but the body stability is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding behavior realismVSAvoidbody orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning weights within the decoy body to compensate for the head's plunging motion. When the head dips quickly into the water, the counterweight system maintains the body's horizontal orientation, preventing excessive tilting. This allows realistic feeding motion while maintaining body stability, resolving the contradiction between motion realism and compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 decoy effectively mimics lifelike feeding behavior, attracting waterfowl by disturbing the water surface and sending visual signals of a food source and safety, enhancing hunting success without requiring constant hunter attention.

Implementation Method 1

a battery-powered electric motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

allowing the head to accelerate and plunge quickly into the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

This motion of imitating a feeding waterfowl disturbs the surface of the water surrounding the decoy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid disturbance: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS9253974B2Waterfowl decoy with lifelike feeding movement

Publication Date: 2016.02.09 DUCK CREEK DECOY WORKS LLC

AI summary

A motorized decoy provides lifelike feeding motion by rotating a decoy head through a full 360 degrees while passing through a longitudinal channel in the decoy body. The decoy body bobs in the water as the decoy head rotates.