Ship Propulsion Control for Lateral Motion Without Hull Turning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ships with propulsion devices disposed on the rear portion of the hull, the front portion starts moving later than the rear portion when the joystick is tilted, causing the ship to turn counterclockwise, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

The ship propulsion device controller generates an initial rotating moment in a specific direction followed by a propulsion force without generating the rotating moment during a subsequent period to prevent the front portion from starting its movement later than the rear portion, thereby preventing the ship from turning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the ship propulsion device generates only a rightward propulsion force when the joystick is tilted to the right, then the ship can move to the right, but the front portion of the hull starts moving later than the rear portion, causing the ship to turn counterclockwise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speed of hull movementVSAvoidattitude stability of the hull
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control device applies a preliminary rotating moment in the clockwise direction before the intended rightward movement. This preliminary action generates initial rotational momentum that ensures the front portion of the hull starts moving simultaneously with or before the rear portion, preventing the unwanted counterclockwise turning that would otherwise occur during the transition from neutral to tilted joystick position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device generates a rotating moment in the opposite direction (clockwise) to counteract the inherent tendency of the hull to turn counterclockwise when the front portion starts moving later. This preliminary anti-action compensates for the delayed response of the front portion, ensuring the hull maintains its attitude during the maneuver

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the ship propulsion device generates a rotating moment continuously, then the hull attitude can be controlled, but the ship will continue to rotate even after the desired movement is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattitude stability of the hullVSAvoidunwanted continuous rotation of the ship
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control device applies the rotating moment only during a specific time period from the first timing when the operation unit is moved to the second timing. After this period expires, the rotating moment is stopped while the propulsion force continues. This periodic application ensures the hull achieves the desired attitude without continuous rotation, eliminating the harmful effect of unwanted ongoing rotation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating moment is applied only during the initial phase of the maneuver to establish the correct hull attitude. Once the attitude is established, the rotating moment is discontinued, allowing the propulsion force alone to maintain the movement without causing additional rotation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3981683B1Control device for ship propulsion device, method for controlling ship propulsion device, and program
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 NHK SPRING CO LTD
  • EP3981683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3981683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3981683B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(I)

AI summary

A ship propulsion device controller controls a plurality of ship propulsion devices disposed on a rear portion of a hull of a ship. The ship includes an operation unit configured to operate the ship propulsion devices. The operation unit is able to be positioned at a first position where the ship propulsion devices do not generate propulsion forces for the ship and a second position where the ship propulsion devices generate propulsion forces for moving the ship in a right direction, a right-forward direction, or a right-backward direction or a third position where the ship propulsion devices generate a propulsion force for moving the ship in a left direction, a left-forward direction, or a left-backward direction. When the operation unit is moved from the first position to the second position and maintained at the second position, the ship propulsion devices generate a clockwise rotating moment in the ship during a first period from a first timing when the operation unit is moved to the second position to a second timing and do not to generate the clockwise rotating moment in the ship during a second period after the second timing.