Marine Vessel Steering Locking Control for Angle Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
The marine vessel steering apparatus experiences delays in turning the outboard motor relative to the steering mechanism, leading to suboptimal turning performance, especially during maneuvers like launching and docking, due to the reactive motor's response delay, causing the outboard motor to not reach the limit angle when the steering mechanism is locked, resulting in reduced vessel maneuvering efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A marine vessel steering apparatus with a first detecting unit to monitor the actual pivoting angle, a locking unit to lock the steering mechanism when the angle reaches a predetermined limit, and a control unit to manage the target pivoting angle, ensuring the steering mechanism is locked only when the actual pivoting angle exceeds this limit, thereby preventing premature locking and ensuring the outboard motor reaches the desired angle for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the steering mechanism is locked when the steering wheel reaches the limit angle, then the operator can recognize the maximum turning angle, but the outboard motor may not have reached the actual limit angle due to response delay, resulting in premature locking and reduced turning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a feedback mechanism where the actual pivoting angle of the outboard motor is continuously monitored and compared with the target pivoting angle. The locking decision is based on feedback from the actual angle sensor rather than just the steering wheel position, ensuring accurate recognition of the true limit angle while accounting for response delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously tracking the relationship between steering wheel angle and actual pivoting angle, predicting when the limit angle will be reached. The locking unit is activated in advance based on this prediction, allowing the system to account for the inherent response delay of the steering unit and ensure the outboard motor reaches the optimal turning angle before locking occurs.
2Loss of information
If the steering mechanism is locked early to indicate maximum angle, then the operator receives timely feedback, but the pivoting unit may not reach the optimal angle, reducing vessel maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides accurate feedback by monitoring the actual pivoting angle through a sensor and comparing it with the target angle. The locking unit activates when the actual angle reaches the predetermined limit, ensuring the operator receives feedback at the correct moment when the outboard motor has truly reached its maximum effective turning angle, thereby maintaining optimal vessel maneuverability.
3Force
If the response delay of the steering unit is increased (as in high pivoting angle ratio scenarios), then the turning power is enhanced, but the delay in reaching the limit angle becomes more critical, causing greater discrepancy between steering wheel position and actual motor angle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring the steering wheel angle and predicting the future position of the actual pivoting angle based on the known response characteristics of the steering unit. When the predicted angle indicates that the limit will be reached after a predetermined time period, the locking unit is activated in advance. This allows the system to maintain high turning power while compensating for the response delay, ensuring the outboard motor reaches the optimal angle before locking occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the actual pivoting angle sensor to continuously adjust the locking decision. By comparing the actual angle with the target angle and considering the response delay characteristics, the system determines the precise moment to activate the locking unit, ensuring optimal turning performance is achieved before locking prevents further movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel steering apparatus includes a steering mechanism arranged to be operable by an operator, a steering unit arranged to turn a pivoting unit mounted pivotally on a marine vessel, a detecting unit arranged to detect if an actual pivoting angle, the turning angle of the pivoting unit, becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined angle, a locking unit arranged to lock the turning of the steering mechanism, and a control unit. The control unit is programmed to set a target pivoting angle based on the turning state of the steering mechanism and to drive the steering unit to make the actual pivoting angle equal to the target pivoting angle. The control unit is also programmed, when the detecting unit detects that the actual pivoting angle becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined angle, to drive the locking unit to lock the turning of the steering mechanism.