Marine Posture Control Tabs for Balanced Steering Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
In marine vessels equipped with posture control tabs, the existing steering control systems require different operation forces for left and right turns due to varying trim positions of the outboard motor, making it challenging to assist steering operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control system for posture control tabs that includes port and starboard actuators and a processor to determine which tab to actuate based on the trim position and steering instructions, adjusting their position to assist steering operations by reducing the necessary operation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If posture control tabs are used to assist steering operations, then steering efficiency is improved, but the operation force difference between left and right turns increases due to trim position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the trim position of the propulsion device and automatically adjusts the posture control tab positions to compensate for imbalances. When a trim position change creates unequal steering forces, the system detects this and actuates the appropriate posture control tab to restore balanced steering characteristics, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically compensates for steering imbalances caused by trim position variations without requiring operator intervention. The control unit continuously monitors steering forces and autonomously adjusts posture control tab positions to maintain equal operation forces for left and right turns, making the system self-correcting and eliminating the contradiction between improved steering efficiency and operational balance.
2Force
If posture control tabs are actuated to assist steering, then the force required to turn the vessel is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single unified controller that manages both the propulsion device trim position and the posture control tabs. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate control systems, while still achieving the goal of reducing steering forces through coordinated actuation of posture control tabs based on trim position feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for posture control tabs of a marine vessel assists operations of a steering control. The posture control tabs are mounted on a stern of a hull to move up or down to control a posture of the hull. Actuators actuate the respective posture control tabs. When a steering instruction is provided through the steering control, a processor determines the posture control tab to be actuated and controls the actuator corresponding to the posture control tab determined to be actuated so as to change the position of the determined posture control tab.