Marine Steering Control for Quiet Neutral Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional marine vessel maneuvering systems experience noticeable driving noise from the steering mechanism when the operator returns to the neutral position, leading to a decrease in quietness.

Innovation Solution

A marine vessel maneuvering system with a controller that adjusts the steering speed to a lower second steering speed when the operator returns to the neutral position, reducing the driving noise of the steering mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the steering mechanism is driven at high speed to return the operator to the neutral position, then the steering response is fast, but the driving noise becomes noticeable and quietness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering speedVSAvoiddriving noise

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the steering speed variable rather than constant. The controller dynamically adjusts the steering speed based on the operational state: using first steering speed during active maneuvering and second steering speed (lower than first) when returning to neutral position, thereby adapting the system behavior to different operational contexts and reducing noise during neutral return.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the steering speed parameter from a fixed value to a variable with at least two distinct values. By switching between first steering speed and second steering speed based on the operator's position and operational context, the system optimizes the balance between steering performance and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the steering mechanism is driven quickly to respond to operator movements, then the maneuvering responsiveness is improved, but the wear on steering mechanism components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuvering responsivenessVSAvoidcomponent life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts steering speed based on operational requirements. High first steering speed is used when rapid response is needed for maneuvering, while lower second steering speed is used when returning to neutral position, thereby maintaining responsiveness when needed while reducing wear during routine operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The steering speed parameter is changed from a constant high value to a variable that switches between first steering speed and second steering speed. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high responsiveness during critical maneuvers while reducing component stress and wear during neutral position returns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3971081B1Marine vessel maneuvering system and control method of marine vessel

Publication Date: 2025.05.21 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A marine vessel maneuvering system (100) includes a controller (42) configured or programmed to control a steering speed (V) to a first steering speed (V1) when an operator (30) is moved from a neutral position (P20), and to control the steering speed to a second steering speed (V2) that is lower than the first steering speed when the operator is returned to the neutral position.