Constant-Speed Travel Control With Fine Speed Step Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing constant-speed travel apparatuses for mobile bodies, such as boats with outboard motors, struggle to maintain a desired constant speed when fine adjustments are required, especially during trolley fishing where precise control of the lure's flow is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A constant-speed travel apparatus that includes a function operation member for activating a speed maintaining function, a first speed operation member for instructing travel speed adjustments, a second speed operation member for changing travel speed by a predetermined amount, and an electronic control unit that controls the prime mover's output based on the operators' inputs to maintain a constant speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the cruise mode is activated to maintain constant travel speed, then the travel speed stability is improved, but the ability to make fine speed adjustments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: cruise mode for maintaining constant speed with automatic throttle control, and normal mode for manual throttle control. This dynamic mode switching allows the system to adapt between speed stability and fine adjustment capabilities based on operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides different control characteristics for different operational requirements: automatic cruise control for maintaining constant speed over long periods, and manual throttle control for precise moment-to-moment adjustments. Each mode optimizes for its specific function rather than attempting to do both simultaneously
2Speed
If the remote control lever is operated to change travel speed in cruise mode, then the speed change responsiveness is improved, but the cruise mode is deactivated and constant speed maintenance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic mode switching between cruise mode and normal mode based on operator input magnitude. Small adjustments maintain cruise mode while larger adjustments switch to normal mode, allowing the system to adapt its control characteristics to the operator's intent
3Measurement precision
If the throttle opening is finely adjusted for trolley fishing, then the lure flow control precision is improved, but the constant speed maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic switching between cruise control mode for constant speed maintenance and manual control mode for precise throttle adjustments. This enables operators to transition between automatic speed maintenance and manual fine-tuning based on fishing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from automatic throttle positioning (cruise mode) to manual throttle positioning (normal mode), allowing precise adjustment of throttle opening for lure flow control while temporarily sacrificing automatic constant speed maintenance
Data Source
AI summary
Constant-speed-travel-apparatus controlling prime-mover so that mobile-body mounted with the prime-mover travels at constant-speed, includes: function-operation-member being instructed activation of speed-maintaining-function of the mobile-body in response to operation by operator; first-speed-operation-member being instructed the travel-speed of the mobile-body in accordance with operation-amount by the operator; second-speed-operation-member being instructed change of the travel-speed by predetermined amount in response to operation by the operator in state where activation of the speed-maintaining-function has been instructed through the function-operation-member; and electronic-control-unit controlling output of the prime-mover based on the operation-amount of the first-speed-operation-member and number of times of operation of the second-speed-operation-member so that the mobile-body travels at constant-speed in the state.