Personal Watercraft Auto-Return Control for Rider Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic maneuvering systems for personal watercraft (PWC) struggle to appropriately control the return process to an occupant away from the PWC, leading to inefficient and potentially unsafe operations.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an actuator with propulsive and turning functions, controlled by a watercraft control device that switches between manual and automatic modes. In automatic mode, it adjusts the distance and heading based on a communication device carried by the occupant, using first and second controls to ensure efficient and safe return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the PWC moves quickly to the rider's location in automatic maneuvering mode, then the return time is reduced, but the control precision and safety may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic maneuvering process is segmented into two distinct control modes: first control for turning the PWC body toward the rider, and second control for moving the PWC in the determined direction. This segmentation allows each control phase to be optimized independently - the turning phase prioritizes precise orientation while the movement phase prioritizes speed, thereby reducing overall return time while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different control strategies based on the maneuvering stage. The control device determines whether to execute first control (turning) or second control (moving) based on real-time conditions such as whether the PWC body is already oriented toward the rider. This dynamic adaptation enables optimal performance across different phases of the return maneuver
2Measurement precision
If the PWC uses a complex control process with multiple control modes, then the control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft control device performs multiple functions using a single integrated system. It can execute both first control (turning the PWC body toward the rider) and second control (moving the PWC in the determined direction) through the same control device, which also operates in manual maneuvering mode. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining high control precision through mode-based differentiation
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft of an automatic maneuvering system includes an actuator configured to generate a propulsive force and a turning moment, an operation unit, and a watercraft control device.