Dual-Shaft Sonar Assembly for Independent Underwater Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sonar devices mounted on trolling motor shafts of watercrafts interfere with navigation or position keeping, as they rotate with the motor, making it difficult to focus on specific underwater locations, and there are challenges in integrating multiple sonar types without interference.

Innovation Solution

A system with an outer and inner shaft, allowing independent rotation and positioning of multiple sonar devices, including a 360-degree and live sonar imaging device, with motors for independent control, enabling simultaneous operation with the trolling motor without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sonar device is mounted on the trolling motor shaft, then the sonar device can be easily deployed and positioned, but the sonar device rotates with the trolling motor, making it impossible to focus on specific underwater locations independently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of deploymentVSAvoidindependent positioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the sonar device into two independent rotational segments: the outer shaft that rotates with the trolling motor for navigation, and the inner shaft that can rotate independently to position the sonar device on a specific bearing. This segmentation allows both the trolling motor's navigation function and the sonar device's targeting function to operate independently without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner shaft is nested within the outer shaft, with the inner shaft rotatably disposed inside the outer shaft. This nested configuration allows the sonar device to be positioned on the inner shaft while the entire assembly remains mounted on the trolling motor's outer shaft, enabling independent rotation and positioning of the sonar device relative to the trolling motor orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sonar devices are integrated into a single assembly, then the system becomes more compact and versatile, but the devices may interfere with each other's operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-sonar capabilityVSAvoidoperational independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each sonar device is mounted on its own dedicated shaft (outer shaft for 360-degree sonar, inner shaft for live sonar), allowing independent rotation and operation of each device. This segmentation ensures that the operational parameters and positioning of one sonar device do not interfere with the other, maintaining reliability while achieving multi-sonar capability in a compact assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses different rotational dimensions for different sonar devices: the outer shaft provides horizontal rotation for the 360-degree sonar device, while the inner shaft provides independent rotation for the live sonar device. This multi-dimensional rotational approach allows multiple sonar devices to operate independently without mechanical interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the sonar device rotates with the trolling motor, then the system structure is simplified, but the sonar device cannot maintain focus on a specific location when the trolling motor changes direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidtargeting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational control is segmented into two independent levels: the outer shaft rotates with the trolling motor for navigation, while the inner shaft can be independently rotated to keep the sonar device pointed at a specific bearing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both the simplified connection to the trolling motor and the capability to maintain precise targeting accuracy independent of trolling motor direction changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner shaft is designed to be dynamically rotatable relative to the outer shaft, allowing the sonar device to adjust its orientation independently in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the sonar device to maintain focus on a specific underwater location even when the trolling motor changes direction, while still maintaining a simplified structural connection to the motor shaft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260023175A1Systems and assemblies for imaging an underwater environment

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 NAVICO GROUP AMERICAS LLC

AI summary

An example system for a watercraft includes an outer shaft, an inner shaft, and a motor. The outer shaft is attached to a first sonar device. The inner shaft is disposed within the outer shaft and is rotatable with respect to the outer shaft. The inner shaft is attached to a second sonar device so as to enable directional control of a facing direction of the second sonar device relative to the outer shaft. The motor is coupled to the inner shaft and configured to operate to cause rotation of the inner shaft to cause rotation of the facing direction of the second sonar device. The first sonar device may be a 360-degree sonar imaging device, and the second sonar device may be a live sonar imaging device. The system may be mounted to a trolling motor or to the watercraft without mounting to the trolling motor.