Boat Steering Abnormality Detection via Pivot Angle Gap Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional boat propelling systems fail to accurately determine abnormalities in steering due to motor deterioration, leading to significant gaps between intended and actual pivot angles, affecting steering precision and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A boat propelling system that includes a propelling system main body, actuators, and sensors to detect operation and pivot angles, calculates target and actual pivot angle changes, and determines abnormalities by comparing these changes to threshold values, updating baseline angles for improved accuracy and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electric motor control is used without abnormality detection, then the system structure remains simple, but steering reliability deteriorates due to undetected motor deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary abnormality determination by comparing target pivot angle change amounts with actual pivot angle change amounts before steering failures occur. This proactive approach detects motor deterioration early, allowing maintenance before complete failure, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time intervention systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the actual pivot angle (detected by the actual pivot angle detection section) is continuously compared with the target pivot angle (calculated from steering operation). This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect deviations caused by motor deterioration and trigger abnormality alerts, improving steering reliability through continuous monitoring
2Measurement precision
If baseline pivot angles are not updated, then the system structure remains simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cumulative angle differences
Solution Approach 1:
The baseline pivot angle setting section performs preliminary updates of baseline target pivot angles and baseline actual pivot angles at appropriate intervals (e.g., when the boat is stationary or at docking). This proactive resetting prevents cumulative angle differences from degrading measurement precision over time, maintaining accuracy without requiring continuous complex adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic updates of baseline pivot angles at predetermined intervals or under specific conditions (such as when the boat is stationary). This periodic resetting mechanism maintains measurement precision by eliminating cumulative errors, while avoiding unnecessary updates that would increase system complexity and operational interruptions
Data Source
AI summary
A boat propelling system capable of determining an abnormality regarding steering of a propelling system main body includes an outboard engine main body, a steering section arranged to steer the outboard engine main body, a steering angle sensor arranged to detect a steering angle of the steering section, a pivot sensor arranged to detect an actual pivot angle of the outboard engine main body, and an ECU. The ECU calculates a target pivot angle change amount based on a target pivot angle derived from the steering angle and a baseline target pivot angle, calculates an actual pivot angle change amount based on the actual pivot angle and a baseline actual pivot angle, and obtains a gap amount between the target pivot angle change amount and the actual pivot angle change amount. Then, the ECU determines an abnormality regarding steering of the outboard engine main body based on a result of comparison between the gap amount and the first threshold value. Setting of the baseline target pivot angle and the baseline actual pivot angle is based on a result of a comparison between the gap amount and a second threshold value.