Marine Vessel Maneuvering System with Dynamic Steering Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing marine vessel maneuvering systems face challenges in providing optimal maneuverability and user experience, particularly during docking and undocking, due to limited steering wheel operation angles and paddle operator accessibility, which can lead to difficulty in operating paddles and maintaining proper hand positioning.
Innovation Solution
A marine vessel maneuvering system that allows the steering wheel to pivot in a wider operation angle range, with a controller that dynamically adjusts the valid operation ranges for forward and reverse drive operators based on the sailing state, enabling seamless switching between forward and reverse propulsive forces while ensuring proper paddle operation accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering wheel operation angle range is increased to improve maneuverability during ordinary sailing, then the steering response becomes slower and paddle operator operation becomes difficult, but if the operation angle range is limited to less than 90 degrees, then maneuverability during ordinary sailing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the valid operation angle range of the steering wheel based on the sailing state. During docking/undocking operations, the valid range is expanded to allow wider steering angles, while during ordinary sailing at higher speeds, the valid range is limited to maintain paddle operator accessibility and prevent unsafe operating positions. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the operation angle range to the specific operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the parameter of valid operation angle range according to sailing state parameters (speed, operational mode). When the marine vessel is determined to be in docking/undocking state, the valid operation angle range is set to a larger value, otherwise it is set to a smaller value. This parameter change enables the system to optimize both paddle accessibility and steering responsiveness for different operational scenarios.
2Speed
If the steering wheel is made highly responsive for docking and undocking operations, then the steering response is too fast for high-speed ordinary sailing, but if the steering response is slowed for safety, then maneuverability during docking operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering response characteristics are dynamically adjusted based on the detected sailing state. During docking/undocking operations, the system enables faster steering response to improve maneuverability, while during ordinary high-speed sailing, the response characteristics are modified to ensure safety and stability. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize steering response speed for each operational context.
3Ease of operation
If the valid operation angle range for paddle operators is expanded to improve accessibility during docking, then the user may operate the steering wheel in positions that make paddle operation difficult or require crossing arms, but if the valid range is limited, then paddle operation accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the steering wheel operation angle and provides feedback control by enabling or disabling paddle operator functions based on whether the current angle falls within the valid operation range. This feedback mechanism ensures that paddle operation is only permitted when the steering wheel is positioned in a range that maintains proper hand positioning and operational safety, preventing the need for arm crossing or difficult operating positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel maneuvering system includes a propulsion device, a steering device, a forward/reverse drive switch, a steering wheel, a forward drive operator, a reverse drive operator, and a controller. The forward drive operator and the reverse drive operator are respectively located on one and the other sides of a pivot axis of the steering wheel, and are pivotable together with the steering wheel. The controller performs a forward drive propulsion control and a reverse drive propulsion control to set the propulsive force direction and control a magnitude of the propulsive force according to the operation of the forward drive operator and the reverse drive operator. The controller enables the forward drive propulsion control in a forward drive operation valid range. The controller enables the reverse drive propulsion control in a reverse drive operation valid range.