Boat Throttle Lever Rotary Thumbwheel Fine Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski boat speed control systems face challenges in providing intuitive and accurate control over boat speed, especially in harsh weather or choppy seas, with conventional throttle/shift mechanisms being difficult to use for fine adjustments and cruise control settings.
Innovation Solution
A throttle/shift lever with a rotary thumbwheel assembly that allows for thumbed adjustments to boat speed in both normal and cruise control modes, enhancing control over the propulsion system by translating mechanical motion into finer throttle signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional throttle/shift mechanisms are used, then the system structure is simple, but the ease of operation for fine speed adjustments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the throttle control lever with a rotary thumbwheel assembly into a single integrated control unit. The thumbwheel is mounted on the lever handle, allowing the operator to perform both coarse adjustments (lever movement) and fine adjustments (thumbwheel rotation) using the same hand and control structure, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into two functional components: the lever for coarse throttle adjustments and the thumbwheel for fine throttle adjustments. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the thumbwheel providing precise rotational control for fine-tuning speed while the lever handles broader speed ranges.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cruise control adjustment mechanisms are used, then the basic functionality is provided, but the ease of operation for intuitive speed adjustments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary thumbwheel assembly serves multiple functions: it controls throttle during normal operation and adjusts cruise control speed when cruise mode is active. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for different operating modes, providing intuitive control while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If standard throttle control is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of throttle position adjustments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from one-dimensional linear lever movement to two-dimensional control by adding rotary thumbwheel movement. The thumbwheel's rotational dimension provides additional degrees of freedom for precise throttle positioning, allowing fine adjustments perpendicular to the lever's primary motion direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A ski boat throttle control system incorporating a rotary assembly such as a thumbwheel within the control lever knob which is part of the control lever assembly that is gripped and held by the operator of the boat during use. The incorporation of such a thumbwheel assembly allows the operator to make more controlled adjustment to the speed of the boat when the boat is in normal operational mode and to intuitively make adjustments to the cruise control speed of the boat when in cruise control.