Boat Propulsion Output Balancing for Accurate Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unintended differences in the outputs of multiple boat propulsion devices due to manufacturing errors, adjustment errors, deterioration over time, and warm-up conditions can cause a boat to turn unintentionally, confusing the steering person.
Innovation Solution
A boat control system that includes a controller configured to adjust the output of at least one propulsion device when a difference is detected between the outputs of two propulsion devices, ensuring they are equalized to prevent unintended turning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple boat propulsion devices are used to improve boat maneuverability and power, then the boat's productivity and capability are enhanced, but differences in output between devices due to manufacturing errors, adjustment errors, and deterioration cause unintended turning that reduces steering reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the output of each propulsion device and uses this feedback information to detect differences between devices. When a difference is detected, the controller automatically adjusts the output of individual devices to eliminate the discrepancy, thereby maintaining reliable and accurate steering control throughout the patent.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operational parameters (output levels) of individual propulsion devices based on detected differences. By adjusting parameters such as thrust magnitude and steering angle in real-time, the system compensates for manufacturing variations, deterioration, and other factors causing output discrepancies, thus resolving the contradiction between using multiple devices and maintaining steering reliability.
2Reliability
If the output of propulsion devices is manually adjusted to compensate for differences, then steering reliability can be improved, but the complexity of operation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment through automatic control. The controller autonomously detects output differences between propulsion devices and adjusts their outputs without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains high steering reliability while preserving operational simplicity, as the adjustment process occurs automatically during normal operation.
3Reliability
If the output of propulsion devices is automatically adjusted to cancel differences, then steering reliability is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs multiple functions: it manages normal propulsion control, detects output differences between devices, and automatically adjusts outputs to eliminate discrepancies. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves improved steering reliability while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A boat control system includes a plurality of boat propulsion devices each steerable 180 degrees or more about a steering axis, a controller, and an operator. The plurality of boat propulsion devices include a first boat propulsion device including a first drive source to generate a propulsion power and a first output sensor to detect an output of the first drive source and output a detection signal to the controller, and a second boat propulsion device including a second drive source to generate a propulsion power and a second output sensor to detect an output of the second drive source and output a detection signal to the controller. When the outputs of the first and second drive sources have a difference when the operator is not accepting a turning operation, the controller is configured or programmed to change the output of at least one of the first and second drive sources to cancel the difference.