Outboard Motor Steering Angles for Shiftless Docking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard motor systems experience vibrations and noise due to frequent gear shifts during low-speed maneuvers, such as rotation or lateral movement, which are more pronounced in smaller vessels, as they typically have limited steering angle ranges and require gear changes to produce necessary thrusts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing outboard motors with increased steering angle ranges, allowing them to operate in a shiftless mode by orienting propellers to generate equal but opposite thrusts when idle, and adjusting these orientations to produce net thrust only when needed, eliminating the need for gear changes and associated noise and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional outboard motors with limited steering angle ranges are used, then the motors can be manufactured with standard components, but frequent gear shifts are required during low-speed maneuvers, causing vibrations and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the steering angle range of the outboard motors beyond conventional limits. This allows the propellers to be oriented at angles that generate equal but opposite thrusts, enabling the motors to achieve net zero thrust without gear shifting. The changed parameter (steering angle range) directly eliminates the harmful effect of vibrations and noise during low-speed maneuvers.
2Ease of operation
If outboard motors operate with limited steering angles, then the mechanical structure remains simple, but gear changes are required to produce necessary thrusts for rotation or lateral movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the steering angle parameter to allow a broader range of motion. This enables the motors to produce thrust vectors that can be directly opposed and cancelled, providing smooth maneuvering without gear changes. The increased steering angle capability allows the system to achieve complex maneuvers through orientation control rather than mechanical gear shifting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If outboard motors are shifted into and out of gear frequently, then the motors can adapt to different maneuvering requirements, but shocks and vibrations are transmitted to the boat for each gearshift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing a broader steering angle range to achieve thrust control flexibility without gear shifting. The motors can be oriented to generate equal but opposite thrusts, providing net zero thrust or controlled net thrust while remaining in the same gear. This eliminates the shocks and vibrations associated with frequent gear changes while maintaining adaptability for different maneuvering requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a watercraft can provide various modes of joystick propulsion control including cruise control, sub-idle watercraft speed operation, composite lateral propulsion, and shiftless docking maneuvers. The system can be used with peripheral motors having retractable 360-degree rotatable units together with a central motor both of which have mechanism to selectively deploy or retract their propellers in and out of water by a controller by manually or automatically.