Small Vessel Propulsion System Automatic Reverse Gate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of jet propelled watercraft face cumbersome operations when switching to low-speed travel mode, particularly when the reverse gate is not in the forward drive position, requiring manual adjustment and additional steps for mode switching.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system with a shift mechanism, actuator, detector, and controller that automatically switches the reverse gate to the forward drive position and changes travel modes when a mode switching signal is activated, simplifying the operation by eliminating the need for manual positioning of the reverse gate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reverse gate is manually positioned to the forward drive position before switching to low-speed travel mode, then the mode switching can be performed correctly, but the operation becomes cumbersome and increases operator fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the current shift position and self-adjusts the reverse gate to the forward drive position when low-speed travel mode is selected, eliminating the need for manual positioning by the operator. The controller monitors the shift position detector signal and autonomously controls the shift actuator to achieve the required positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The shift position detector provides real-time feedback about the reverse gate position to the controller. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to determine whether the reverse gate is already in the forward drive position or needs to be adjusted, enabling intelligent decision-making for automatic positioning before mode switching.
2Ease of operation
If the reverse gate is automatically positioned to the forward drive position when switching to low-speed travel mode, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages the low-speed travel mode switching, monitors the shift position detector, controls the shift actuator for automatic positioning, and coordinates the overall propulsion system. By making the controller multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of mode switching control and shift position control are merged into a single integrated control process. When the low-speed travel mode switch is activated, the controller simultaneously handles the mode transition and the reverse gate positioning, combining multiple control operations into one unified action sequence.
3Reliability
If additional operations are required to switch the reverse gate position before mode switching, then the reliability of mode switching is ensured, but the productivity and efficiency of vessel operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the reverse gate positioning action in advance, automatically adjusting the gate to the forward drive position before the low-speed travel mode is activated. This preliminary automatic action ensures that all prerequisites for mode switching are met without requiring separate manual operations, thereby maintaining reliability while improving efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A small vessel propulsion system includes a mode switching signal output outputting a mode switching signal to switch a travel mode among a plurality of travel modes including a first mode of making a small vessel travel in accordance with operation of an accelerator operator and a second mode of making the small vessel travel in accordance with a command different from the operation of the accelerator operator, and a controller configured or programmed to switch the shift position of the shift mechanism to the forward drive position by controlling the shift actuator and switch the travel mode to the second mode when the mode switching signal output outputs the mode switching signal to switch from the first mode to the second mode and the shift position detector detects a shift position other than the forward drive position.