Single Push Button Switch for Ship Propulsion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combining power switch and start/stop switch into a single push button switch in ship propulsion systems reduces user convenience, as users cannot turn on ship-mounted equipment without starting the power source, limiting functionality such as listening to the radio or setting displays when the power source is stopped.
Innovation Solution
An operation device with a single push button switch and an operation processor that detects pressing modes to connect/disconnect ship-mounted equipment and power supply, allowing starting/stopping the power source based on the detected mode, enabling equipment use without starting the propulsion machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single push button switch is used to combine power switch and start/stop switch functions, then the number of switches is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but user convenience deteriorates as users cannot turn on ship-mounted equipment without starting the power source
Solution Approach 1:
The operation processor dynamically changes the function of the single push button switch based on the current system state. When the power source is stopped, the switch enables equipment power-on. When the power source is running, the switch enables equipment power-off. This dynamic functional adaptation resolves the contradiction by making one switch perform multiple context-dependent functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (function) of the push button switch based on the power source state. The switch's effect on the system varies depending on whether the power source is on or off, allowing the same physical component to provide different operational outcomes without requiring multiple switches.
2Ease of operation
If the power switch and start/stop switch are independent, then user convenience is maintained for using equipment without starting the power source, but the number of switches increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The single push button switch is designed to perform multiple functions that were previously handled by separate switches. By making the switch universal and context-dependent, the system achieves the functionality of multiple switches while using only one physical component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the power switch and start/stop switch into a single push button switch. The operation processor integrates the control logic for both functions, allowing one switch to control both equipment power state and power source state based on the current system context.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switches are used for power control and start/stop control, then functional independence is maintained, but the operation device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operation processor dynamically determines the appropriate function to execute based on the current power source state and equipment state. This dynamic control approach maintains functional independence (the ability to control equipment without starting the power source) while using a single static switch component, thereby reducing operation device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device in a ship propulsion system including a ship propulsion machine, ship-mounted equipment, and a power supply, the operation device including a single push button switch and an operation processor performing processing. The operation processor detects a pressing mode of the push button switch when the push button switch is pressed while the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply are disconnected and the power source is stopped, performs processing of connecting the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply and starting the power source when the detected pressing mode is a first mode, and performs processing of connecting the ship-mounted equipment and the power supply while maintaining the power source in a stopped state when the detected pressing mode is a second mode.