Marine Drive Throttle Detent Detection for Precise Thrust Control
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine drive control systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of the detent mechanism due to part-to-part variation and wear, leading to unresponsive or sloppy operation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that analyzes position data from a position sensor to identify detent engagement and disengagement points by calculating velocity and acceleration data, using reference waveforms and thresholds to determine the neutral and idle positions, ensuring precise control of thrust generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional position sensing methods are used to detect detent position, then the system structure remains simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to part-to-part variation and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical position sensing methods with an electromagnetic field-based detection system. The controller generates electromagnetic fields and detects changes in these fields caused by detent position, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors while achieving high measurement precision despite part-to-part variation and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detent mechanism's own physical properties (its effect on electromagnetic fields) to provide positioning information. The detent structure itself becomes the sensing element, as it naturally influences the electromagnetic field when positioned differently, eliminating the need for separate sensing components.
2Measurement precision
If manual calibration is required to account for component variations, then measurement precision can be improved, but loss of time increases due to calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically compensates for component variations through continuous electromagnetic field monitoring and real-time position calculation. The controller continuously adapts to actual component positions without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-calibrating and eliminating calibration time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring electromagnetic field changes and adjusting position determinations in real-time. This closed-loop approach automatically compensates for component variations as they occur, maintaining measurement precision without requiring periodic manual calibration.
3Measurement precision
If detent position detection is made more sensitive to account for wear, then measurement precision improves, but reliability deteriorates due to false detections
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes baseline electromagnetic field characteristics and detection thresholds before actual operation begins. By pre-configuring the detection parameters based on expected detent positions and wear patterns, the system avoids false detections during normal operation while maintaining sensitivity to actual detent engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback to distinguish between genuine detent position changes and noise caused by wear. By monitoring the pattern and magnitude of electromagnetic field changes over time, the controller can filter out false signals while maintaining accurate detection of actual detent engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a marine drive having a throttle handle moveable to control a thrust and a detent engageable to resist moving the throttle handle. The method includes configuring a position sensor to generate position data corresponding to positions of the throttle handle and receiving the position data from the position sensor. The method further includes analyzing the position data to determine a first position of the throttle handle in which the detent disengages and generating thrust with the marine drive when the throttle handle is moved into the first position.