Outboard Motor Control Device for Direction Switching and External Force Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for outboard motors fail to effectively navigate ships in desired directions without being swept by external forces like wind or tidal currents, and experience slow direction switching due to inadequate propulsion force components.
Innovation Solution
A control device that adjusts the forward-backward and leftward-rightward propulsion force components generated by outboard motors based on the movement route of the joystick, ensuring a larger acute angle between force components when transitioning from one direction to another, allowing for precise direction changes and resistance against external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the joystick is moved directly from neutral position to rightward-forward tilt position, then the direction switching speed is fast, but the forward-backward direction component of propulsion force is insufficient and the ship may be swept backward by external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by automatically adjusting the propulsion force components based on the predicted movement route. When the joystick is moved directly to a rightward-forward position, the system preemptively calculates the necessary forward-backward force component to counteract external forces like wind and currents, ensuring the ship maintains its intended course without being swept backward.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the ship's actual movement and external force conditions. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the propulsion force components generated by the outboard motors, ensuring that the forward-backward direction component is sufficient to resist external forces while maintaining the desired direction switching speed.
2Reliability
If the propulsion force components are adjusted to resist external forces effectively, then the ship can maintain desired direction, but the direction switching response becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The control device applies dynamics by continuously and dynamically adjusting the propulsion force components based on real-time conditions. Rather than using fixed force components, the system adaptively modifies the forward-backward and leftward-rightward direction components according to the predicted movement route and external force conditions, enabling both effective resistance against external forces and rapid direction switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes parameters by dynamically modifying the magnitude and direction of propulsion force components. When external forces are detected or predicted movement requires it, the system adjusts the forward-backward direction component of the propulsion force. This parameter adjustment allows the ship to maintain desired direction while keeping direction switching response fast, as the changes are made continuously rather than in discrete steps.
3Device complexity
If the outboard motors generate equal propulsion force components for direct and indirect joystick movements, then the control is simple, but the ship cannot effectively resist external forces during maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses feedback to determine whether to adjust propulsion force components. By monitoring joystick movement patterns, predicted movement routes, and external force conditions, the system intelligently decides when equal force components are sufficient and when differentiated components are needed to resist external forces. This feedback-based approach maintains simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes the propulsion force parameters based on movement route prediction. Instead of always using equal force components or complex differentiated components, the system dynamically adjusts the forward-backward and leftward-rightward direction components only when needed according to the predicted movement route and external force conditions. This selective parameter adjustment reduces complexity while ensuring effective resistance against external forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for an outboard motor controls a plurality of outboard motors included in a ship. Each outboard motor includes a propulsion unit and a steering actuator. The ship includes an operation unit that operates the steering actuator and the propulsion unit. The operation unit can be positioned at a first position at which the outboard motors do not generate a propulsion force for the ship, a second position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in a leftward-rightward direction, and a third position at which the outboard motors generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in an oblique direction that forms an acute angle with the leftward-rightward direction. A forward-backward direction component of a propulsion force in the oblique direction which is generated by the outboard motors.