Jet Propelled Watercraft Reverse Gate Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing jet propelled watercraft designs, such as those described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0344754, lack mechanical coupling between the reverse gate operator and the reverse gate, leading to the possibility of unintentional operation when the engine is started, causing the watercraft to move in reverse immediately after startup.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reverse gate operation detector and a controller that prohibits the startup of the prime mover if the reverse gate operator is detected in operation, ensuring the watercraft is not driven in reverse immediately after engine startup by determining the operation state of the reverse gate operator and preventing engine startup when the reverse gate operator is being used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reverse gate operator is not mechanically coupled to the reverse gate, then the operator can be operated easily with minimal force, but the watercraft may be driven in reverse unintentionally when the engine is started
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the reverse gate operator and the engine startup system. It detects the operator's position and prevents engine startup when the reverse gate is in a reverse-drive position, thereby mediating the potential harmful effect without requiring mechanical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling system with an electronic control system. Instead of using mechanical linkage to prevent reverse operation, the system uses sensors and a controller to detect the reverse gate position and electronically prevent engine startup, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical coupling while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If the reverse gate operator is mechanically coupled to the reverse gate, then unintentional reverse operation is prevented, but the operator requires large force to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves as an intermediary that detects the reverse gate operator's position and prevents engine startup accordingly. This allows the operator to be easily operated without mechanical coupling, as the controller handles the safety function of preventing unintentional reverse operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical coupling system with an electronic detection and control system. The reverse gate operator is detected by a sensor, and the controller electronically prevents engine startup when the reverse gate is in the reverse-drive position, eliminating the need for mechanical coupling while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If the engine is allowed to start when the reverse gate operator is operated, then the watercraft can be driven in reverse immediately after startup, but unintentional reverse movement occurs when the engine is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the reverse gate operator and the engine startup system. It detects the operator's position and prevents engine startup when the reverse gate is in a reverse-drive position, thereby mediating the potential harmful effect without preventing legitimate reverse operation when the engine is already running.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs a preliminary check of the reverse gate operator's position before allowing engine startup. If the reverse gate is detected to be in the reverse-drive position, the controller prevents engine startup in advance, thereby preventing unintentional reverse movement before it can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A jet propelled watercraft includes a prime mover, a jet pump driven by the prime mover and jetting water from a jet port, a reverse gate changing a direction of the jet flow jetted from the jet pump, a shift actuator capable of moving the reverse gate to a plurality of shift positions, a reverse gate operator configured to set a position of the reverse gate, and a controller configured or programmed to prohibit startup of the prime mover when it is determined that the reverse gate operator is being operated.