Marine Drive Unit Propeller Orientation for Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine propulsion systems do not adequately address the safety concerns when operating in shallow waters or when people are swimming and bathing near the vessel, as they do not effectively manage propeller orientation and draught levels.
Innovation Solution
A marine propulsion system with a drive unit comprising an upper and lower part, where the lower part is rotatably connected and can be pivoted by a control unit to change the propeller orientation based on activation messages for beach or swim modes, ensuring propellers face aft in shallow waters and at least 90 degrees forward when people are swimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drive unit operates in normal draught position with propellers facing aft for propulsion, then the marine vessel achieves efficient forward motion, but persons or equipment in the water may come into contact with the propellers causing severe injury or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lower part of the drive unit is made rotatable relative to the upper part, allowing dynamic repositioning of the propellers between normal propulsion mode (facing aft) and safe mode (facing forward at least 90 degrees). This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to different operational conditions, switching from efficiency-oriented configuration to safety-oriented configuration when persons or equipment are detected in the water.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drive unit is raised to reduced draught position for shallow water operation, then the marine vessel can operate in shallow waters, but the propellers may be damaged by obstacles or the vessel bottom
Solution Approach 1:
When operating in shallow waters, the system rotates the lower part so that propellers face aft (propulsion mode) while simultaneously raising the upper part to reduced draught position. This coordinated dynamic adjustment allows shallow water operation while minimizing propeller damage risk by orienting the propellers away from potential obstacles and the vessel bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively orients the propellers in a safe direction (facing aft away from obstacles) before potential contact with obstacles or vessel bottom can occur during shallow water operation. This preliminary protective action prevents propeller damage by ensuring they are already in a protected orientation when operating in shallow waters.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower part is rotated to change propeller orientation, then safety is improved for persons in water or shallow water operation, but the device complexity increases due to additional rotational mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable lower part mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables safe operation when persons or equipment are in the water by rotating propellers forward, facilitates shallow water operation by rotating propellers aft while raising the drive unit, and maintains normal propulsion capability. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile safety and operational capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel has a drive unit comprising an upper part and a lower part, the upper part being pivotable in relation to the marine vessel and the lower part is rotatably connected with the upper part, the lower part comprises one or more propellers. An input unit receives an activation message indicative of an operation mode for the drive unit. A control unit is connected with the drive unit and the input unit. The control unit controls the drive unit on basis of the activation message received from the input unit. The control unit, in response to receiving a beach mode activation message from the input unit, rotates the lower part to a position with the one or more propellers facing aft in relation to the marine vessel, and/or wherein the control unit, in response to receiving a swim mode activation message from the input unit, rotates the lower part to a position with the one or more propellers at least facing forward in a position of minimum 90 degrees compared to an aft facing position of the one or more propellers.