Amphibious Vehicle Jet Direction Control for Edge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amphibious vehicles face instability when traveling on the edge of water, particularly on terrains with inclines or terraces, as existing control systems struggle to maintain orientation and traction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device with jet direction adjustment, orientation detection, and control mechanisms that adjust the jet direction and propulsion to stabilize the vehicle's orientation by detecting pitch and roll angles, allowing for downward jet direction and turning forces to be applied when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the amphibious vehicle uses conventional control methods with fixed jet direction, then the vehicle can maintain simple control system structure, but the vehicle cannot maintain stable orientation on terrains with inclines or terraces
Solution Approach 1:
The jet direction is made dynamically adjustable through a jet direction adjusting mechanism that can change the discharge direction of the jet based on terrain conditions. This allows the propulsion force vector to be optimized for different terrain types (inclines, terraces, flat surfaces), thereby maintaining vehicle orientation stability without requiring overly complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates detection means that monitor vehicle orientation and terrain conditions, providing feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust jet direction and propulsion force to maintain stable orientation on varying terrains, resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity through intelligent control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the amphibious vehicle applies fixed propulsion force, then the vehicle can maintain simple propulsion control, but the vehicle cannot adapt to different terrain conditions (inclines, terraces, flat surfaces)
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion force is made dynamically controllable with variable magnitude and direction. The control unit adjusts both the strength and orientation of the jet based on detected terrain conditions, enabling the vehicle to adapt to inclines, terraces, and flat surfaces. This dynamic propulsion control achieves terrain versatility while keeping the control mechanism integrated and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key propulsion parameters (jet discharge direction angle and propulsion force magnitude) based on terrain detection. By varying these parameters according to terrain type, the vehicle achieves high adaptability across different surfaces without requiring fundamentally different propulsion systems for each terrain condition.
3Reliability
If the amphibious vehicle uses conventional crawler track control, then the vehicle can maintain simple land travel control, but the vehicle experiences limited traction and orientation control on wet or inclined terrains
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the propulsion functions of the crawler tracks and the water jet propulsion device into a coordinated control system. The control unit simultaneously manages both propulsion sources, allowing them to work together to provide reliable traction on wet or inclined terrains. This combined approach enhances reliability without requiring entirely new control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system operates as a composite system combining two different propulsion mechanisms (crawler tracks for mechanical traction and jet propulsion for water-based thrust). This composite approach leverages the strengths of each system to achieve reliable traction across diverse terrain conditions, from dry land to wet surfaces and inclines.
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
Enables amphibious vehicles to maintain stable orientation and traverse terrains with inclines or terraces, expanding the range of travelable terrains by adjusting jet direction and propulsion forces based on detected angles.
Implementation Method 1
on-water navigation of navigating on top of water by using a jet created by a propulsion device
Implementation Method 2
orientation detecting means for detecting an orientation of the amphibious vehicle; the pitch angle displacement amount of the amphibious vehicle; and the roll angle displacement amount of the amphibious vehicle
Implementation Method 3
jet direction adjusting means for adjusting a discharging direction of the jet created by the propulsion device
Implementation Method 4
controlling means for controlling at least one of the jet direction adjusting means and the propulsion device on the basis of the orientation of the amphibious vehicle when the on-edge-of-water travel mode is selected
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle control device for an amphibious vehicle that can travel with a stable orientation even when the edge of the water consists of uneven terrain or terrain having an inclined surface along a different direction than the direction of travel. A vehicle control device for an amphibious vehicle capable of traveling on land, navigating on the water, and traveling on the edge of the water comprises a jet direction adjuster (15) for adjusting the direction of a jet created by a propeller (11), an orientation detector (31) for detecting the orientation of an amphibious vehicle (1), and a control device (30) for controlling the jet direction adjuster (15) and/or the propeller (11) on the basis of the orientation of the amphibious vehicle (1) detected by the orientation detector (31) when an edge-of-water travel mode is selected.