Marine Vessel Throttle Control with Fine Adjustment Switch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine vessel throttle control systems are inadequate for maintaining constant speed in small-scale vessels due to the operation position holding type operation lever, which requires frequent adjustments and leads to operator fatigue and discomfort, as they do not provide a suitable interface for fine throttle adjustments and lose linearity between throttle lever operation and engine output.
Innovation Solution
A marine vessel with a propulsion device featuring an electrically controlled throttle valve, an operation lever that holds its position, a fine adjustment switch for precise throttle control, and a control unit that adjusts the throttle based on the operation lever and fine adjustment switch inputs, allowing for selective use of either system to maintain constant speed and prevent operator fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an operation position holding type operation lever is used for throttle control, then the throttle opening degree can be maintained at a set position, but frequent adjustments are required when speed changes occur due to waves, wind, or turning, leading to operator fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle control system is segmented into two independent control interfaces: the operation lever for coarse throttle opening degree adjustment and the fine adjustment switch for precise throttle opening degree modification. This segmentation allows the operator to use the lever for major speed changes and the switch for minor corrections, reducing the frequency of lever operations and associated fatigue while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine adjustment switch acts as an intermediary control device between the operator and the throttle valve. Instead of directly operating the operation lever for every minor speed adjustment, the operator uses the fine adjustment switch as an intermediate step to make small throttle opening degree modifications, thereby reducing the operational burden on the main control interface.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the operation lever is frequently adjusted to maintain constant speed, then speed stability can be maintained, but the linearity between throttle lever operation amount and throttle opening degree is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system separates the throttle adjustment function into two distinct mechanisms: the operation lever that maintains linear correspondence with throttle opening degree for primary control, and the fine adjustment switch that provides incremental modifications without disrupting the lever's linear operation characteristics. This segmentation preserves the linearity of the lever while enabling speed stability through the switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The fine adjustment switch creates a parallel control pathway that copies the throttle control function without interfering with the original operation lever's linear characteristics. The switch provides an alternative method for throttle adjustment that maintains the mathematical relationship between lever position and throttle opening degree while enabling precise speed control.
3Ease of operation
If a pedal type accelerator or spring-return throttle lever is used, then the throttle returns to idle position automatically, but there is no mechanism to hold the operation position for constant speed travel
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two different throttle control mechanisms into one integrated system: the spring-return mechanism that automatically returns the throttle to idle position, and the operation position holding mechanism that maintains the throttle at a set position. The fine adjustment switch serves as the interface that enables the holding function while the spring mechanism remains available for automatic return when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A marine vessel includes a hull, a propulsion device arranged to propel the hull by a driving force of an engine that has a throttle valve arranged to be electrically controlled so as to open and close, an operation lever arranged to be operated by a marine vessel operator to adjust a throttle opening degree of the throttle valve and arranged to hold an operation position, a fine adjustment switch arranged to be operated by the marine vessel operator to increase or decrease the throttle opening degree to finely adjust the throttle opening degree that has been adjusted by the operation lever, and a control unit arranged to adjust the throttle opening degree based on an operation amount of the operation lever and an operation state of the fine adjustment switch.