Wireless Decoy Jerk String System for Waterfowl Hunting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current jerk string systems for waterfowl hunting are cumbersome, difficult to deploy and maintain, and lack water-resistance and corrosion-resistance, making them unsuitable for cold, wet, and inclement conditions.
Innovation Solution
An automatic wireless decoy jerk string system featuring a main housing unit with a retractable reel, a drive housing unit with a direct current motor and wireless remote control, and a flotation housing unit, allowing for wireless operation, water-resistance, and corrosion-resistance, enabling easy setup and deployment in harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current jerk string systems are used, then decoy movement can be achieved, but the system becomes heavy, bulky, and difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The jerk string system is divided into multiple modular components: a reel assembly, a motor assembly, and a housing assembly. Each component can be independently manufactured, assembled, and replaced. The reel assembly contains the jerk string spool and pawl-ratchet mechanism, while the motor assembly houses the DC motor and battery pack, allowing for optimized weight distribution and ease of transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel is nested within the housing, and the jerk string is wound around the spool which is mounted on the drive shaft. The motor assembly is integrated into the housing structure, with the battery pack positioned to balance the overall center of gravity. This nested arrangement minimizes the external dimensions and overall weight of the system while maintaining all necessary functions.
2Ease of operation
If current jerk string systems are used, then decoy movement can be controlled, but the system becomes complicated to maintain and operate with many parts requiring assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The complex internal mechanisms, including the gear train, pawl-ratchet assembly, and motor mounting structures, are enclosed within a sealed housing. This extraction of complexity from the user-interaction zone allows hunters to operate and maintain the device without needing to understand or access the internal mechanical complexity. The reel can be removed as a single unit for maintenance without disassembling the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with a balanced center of gravity achieved by positioning the battery pack and motor assembly to counterbalance the reel assembly. This equipotential design makes the device easy to handle and deploy without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, reducing operational complexity while maintaining controllability.
3Productivity
If current jerk string systems are used, then decoy movement can be achieved, but the system is slow to deploy and take-down
Solution Approach 1:
The reel is pre-loaded with the jerk string during manufacturing, and the pawl-ratchet mechanism is pre-assembled and pre-lubricated. The DC motor and battery pack are pre-wired and tested before final assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for field assembly of critical components, allowing hunters to deploy the system quickly by simply attaching the reel to the anchor point and threading the jerk string through the guide rings.
4Reliability
If current jerk string systems are used, then decoy movement can be controlled, but the system lacks water-resistance and corrosion-resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is constructed from corrosion-resistant materials such as anodized aluminum or marine-grade stainless steel, while the reel components use rust-proof alloys. The jerk string itself is made from synthetic materials like nylon or polyethylene that resist water absorption and degradation. Seals and gaskets made from rubber or polymer materials prevent water ingress into the motor and battery compartments, ensuring reliable operation in wet and corrosive environments.
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 a compact, quick-to-deploy, and easy-to-use solution that mimics the movement of real waterfowl, enhancing hunting efficiency by allowing hunters to control decoy movement remotely and maintaining functionality even if submerged in water.
Implementation Method 1
The drive housing unit contains a direct current motor, a battery for powering the direct current motor
Implementation Method 2
The flotation housing unit contains a counterweight and flotation material
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic wireless decoy jerk string system is disclosed. The system includes a main housing, a drive housing, and a flotation housing. The main housing contains a retractable reel wound with a line. The drive housing contains a direct current motor, a battery for powering the motor, and a wireless receiver. The flotation housing contains a counterweight and flotation material. The drive housing and the flotation housing are attached to either side of the main housing. A drive shaft runs from the drive housing through the main housing and into the flotation housing. The motor engages the drive shaft to operate the reel. The motor is controlled by signals from the receiver in response to a wireless signal received by the receiver from a remote control to cause the reel to alternatingly retract the line and let out the line.