SMA Fishing Lure Oscillation for Static Line Animation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fishing lures require motion in water to function, making them unsuitable for static line techniques and are often complex, costly, and have limited lifetimes due to numerous parts.
Innovation Solution
An animated fishing lure using a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator system with a flexible, incompressible base and actuating elements that oscillate through electrical heating and cooling, eliminating the need for motors and complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional passive fishing lures are used, then they are simple in structure, but they require relative motion in water to function and cannot be used for static line techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems (motors, linkages, rotating elements) with shape memory alloy (SMA) elements that respond to electrical stimulation. This substitution enables static line fishing capability while maintaining relative simplicity, as the SMA elements directly actuate the lure body without complex mechanical transmission components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the SMA elements through electrical stimulation, causing them to transform between austenite and martensite phases. This parameter change enables the lure to transition between static and animated states, providing adaptability for different fishing techniques without requiring complex mechanical systems.
2Ease of operation
If actuated fishing lures with motors and linkages are used, then they can perform animated motion, but they involve a large number of parts and are complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motors, linkages, and rotating elements with shape memory alloy (SMA) elements that directly actuate the lure body through phase transformation. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical transmission components while maintaining animated motion capability, significantly reducing the number of parts and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary mechanical components (motors, linkages, rotating elements) from the lure system, retaining only the essential SMA elements and control circuitry. This extraction simplifies the overall structure while preserving the core animated motion function.
3Ease of operation
If actuated fishing lures with motors are used, then they can provide animated motion, but they are expensive to manufacture and have limited lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive motor assemblies with shape memory alloy (SMA) elements that can be manufactured more simply and at lower cost. The SMA elements have no moving parts, reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing costs while improving reliability and lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs cost-effective SMA elements and control circuitry that can be manufactured at lower costs compared to motor-based systems. While the lure remains an investment, the simplified construction reduces manufacturing costs and may extend usable lifetime through fewer failure points.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lures requiring motion are used, then they are simple in design, but they are unusable for winter ice fishing with static line technique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motion-dependent mechanical lure designs with SMA-actuated lures that can remain stationary and be animated on demand through electrical stimulation. This enables suitability for winter ice fishing with static line techniques while maintaining manageable design complexity through the use of simple SMA elements and control circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities to an otherwise static lure design, allowing the lure to transition between stationary and animated states as needed. This dynamic capability enables adaptability for winter ice fishing while keeping the base design simple and the overall system complexity manageable.
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 SMA actuator system creates a realistic fish-like motion without motors, simplifies manufacturing, reduces costs, and allows use in static line techniques like winter ice fishing, replacing live bait where prohibited.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating elements are made of a material that shares the properties of the shape memory alloy (SMA) materials
Implementation Method 2
the actuating elements are elongate shape memory alloy (SMA) elements in the form of a wire or other extruded shapes
Implementation Method 3
a base member; at least one actuating element mechanically connected to base member and disposed aside, parallel to the base and electrically connected to an electrical power source
Data Source
AI summary
an animated fishing lure is, generally disclosed. The fishing lure includes a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator system, a lure body and a controller. The shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator system is generally positioned within the lure body and includes a flexible non-compressive base and an actuator wire made of SMA located on either side of the base. Each actuator wire is connected to a controller. Inducing electrical current through the actuator wires generates heat and results in a contraction of the wire. The tension generated by wire contraction act on the flexible non-compressive base causing it to bend. By alternating electrical currents through each of the actuator wires the lure is alternatively bent from a right bent position to a left bent position repeatedly creating an oscillating motion.