Raised Watercraft Seat Assembly With Speed-Limiting Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal watercraft seat assemblies lack the ability to prevent seat use at high speeds and do not provide a backrest for enhanced comfort in the raised position.
Innovation Solution
A personal watercraft system featuring a seat assembly with a sensor-connected motor control unit that limits motor speed when the seat support is engaged, and a backrest connection mechanism that prevents seat deployment when the backrest is attached, ensuring safe operation and comfort during specific activities like fishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat portion is selectively connected to the deck in the raised position, then user comfort is improved through backrest support, but safety deteriorates due to risk of use at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects when the seat support is connected to the deck in the raised position and sends a signal to the motor control unit. The motor control unit then limits the maximum speed of the personal watercraft based on this feedback, preventing unsafe operation while allowing comfortable seated operation at reduced speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the maximum speed limit based on the seat configuration. When the seat is in the raised position, the speed limit is reduced; when the seat is in the lowered position, the speed limit is increased. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between comfort and safety
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat assembly is made reconfigurable with selective connection, then adaptability is improved for different activities, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly serves multiple functions: it can be in a lowered position for high-speed operation, a raised position for comfortable fishing or low-speed operation, and the system automatically adjusts speed limits based on seat position. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing adaptability for different activities
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects the seat position through the sensor and autonomously adjusts the speed limit through the motor control unit without requiring manual intervention from the operator. This self-service capability simplifies the user interface while maintaining the reconfigurable nature of the seat assembly
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively restricts high-speed operation when the seat is raised and allows for enhanced user comfort by providing a backrest, addressing the limitations of prior art in seat assembly design.
Implementation Method 1
the seat support includes a magnet connected to the lower portion, and the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor operable for detecting the magnet in response to the lower portion being inserted in the anchor aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A personal watercraft includes a hull, a deck disposed on the hull and a seat assembly supported on the deck. The deck is disposed on the hull. The seat assembly includes a seat portion, a backrest and a blocking system. The seat portion is selectively connected to the deck. The backrest is selectively connected to the seat portion. The blocking system is operatively connected to the seat portion, and has a first configuration permitting connection of the seat portion to the deck in response to the backrest being disconnected from the seat portion, and a second configuration preventing connection of the seat portion to the deck in response to the backrest being connected to the seat portion.