Marine Propulsion Control With Distance Feedback During Fixed-Point Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vessel operators have difficulty realizing the movement of a marine vessel towards a new target position during fine tuning due to the lack of visual references on open water, leading to potential delays and inaccuracies in reaching the target.

Innovation Solution

A marine vessel propulsion control system that displays the remaining distance to the target position and adjusts the thrust level based on the vessel's movement state, using a display and controller to facilitate accurate navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fine tuning function is implemented to move the marine vessel to a new target position, then the vessel can change fishing locations, but the vessel operator cannot easily realize the movement progress due to lack of visual references

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to change target positionVSAvoidoperator awareness of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by displaying the remaining distance to the target position on the display device. This allows the vessel operator to visually monitor the movement progress in real-time, resolving the problem of inability to realize movement progress during fine tuning operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (display device showing remaining distance) between the fine tuning operation and the operator's perception. This intermediary provides visual feedback that bridges the gap between the actual movement and the operator's awareness, solving the problem of lack of visual references on open water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the marine vessel uses fixed point holding control to stay at one point, then the vessel remains stationary for fishing, but the vessel cannot move to new positions without stopping the holding control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestationary position stabilityVSAvoidability to change position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic control mode that allows the fine tuning function to operate during fixed point holding control. The controller dynamically switches between holding mode and movement mode, enabling the vessel to both maintain stationary position stability and change positions as needed without fully stopping the holding control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameters by implementing fine tuning that adjusts the target position coordinates while maintaining the holding control framework. This allows the vessel to transition from one fixed point to another by dynamically modifying the position parameters rather than completely abandoning the holding control mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the vessel operator sets a new target position off-shore without land references, then the vessel can navigate to new locations, but it is difficult to check the relative movement of the marine vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoff-shore navigation capabilityVSAvoidmovement detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides continuous feedback by displaying the remaining distance to the target position on the display device. This visual feedback system allows the operator to detect and measure movement progress in off-shore environments where traditional land-based visual references are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/visual reference system (land-based target objects) with an electronic information system (display device showing remaining distance). This substitution enables movement detection and measurement in off-shore environments where physical references are absent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4201806B1Marine vessel propulsion control system and method and marine vessel
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4201806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4201806B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4201806B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A marine vessel capable of causing a user to easily realize movement thereof toward a new target point. The marine vessel has a marine vessel propulsion control system, which comprises a display, and a controller configured to control movement of the marine vessel, wherein the controller executes fixed point holding control to restrict movement of the marine vessel to keep the marine vessel at a predetermined position. When a target position is newly set during the fixed point holding control, the controller controls to move the marine vessel to the target position. The display displays a remaining distance when the marine vessel is moving to the target position. The controller changes, according to a movement state of the marine vessel, a level of position adjustment thrust which can be generated by a propulsion device, during the fixed point holding control.