Ship Remote Control Layout With Separated Display and Lever Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control devices for ship propulsion systems face challenges in providing a large display and operation switches without enlarging the installation surface, making them unsuitable for smaller ships or those with limited console space.

Innovation Solution

A remote control device design featuring a separate display unit supported by a support arm outside the main body case, allowing for a large display and operation switches without increasing the main body case size, and ensuring sufficient installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a large display is provided in the remote control device, then information display capability is improved, but the area occupied on the housing outer surface increases, reducing space for operation switches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display capabilityVSAvoidoperation switch area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is segmented from the main body case and mounted separately on the console surface. This allows the display and operation switches to be spatially separated, enabling both a large display area and sufficient operation switch area without competing for the same housing surface space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit is extended in the depth direction (front-back direction) from the console surface rather than occupying horizontal space on the housing. By utilizing the depth dimension, the display can be large without reducing the operation switch area on the housing outer surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the housing of the remote control device is enlarged to accommodate a large display and operation switches, then device functionality is improved, but the installation surface area required on the ship increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidinstallation surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is separated from the main body case and mounted independently on the console surface. This segmentation allows the main body case to remain compact for installation, while the display unit can be large and positioned in the available depth space, enabling full functionality without enlarging the installation footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit utilizes the depth direction (front-back direction) from the console surface for its placement. This dimensional approach allows the display to be large without increasing the horizontal installation surface area required on the ship, making the device suitable for small ships with limited console space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4588786A1Remote control device
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4588786A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4588786A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4588786A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A remote control device (11) for remotely controlling a ship propulsion device (3) provided in a ship (1). The remote control device includes a remote control device main body (12) including a main body case (13) installed on an installation surface (5) provided in the ship (1), and a remote control lever (17) attached to the main body case (13), a display unit (22) provided outside the main body case (13), and including a display case (23) and a display (25) provided in the display case (23), and a support arm (41) that couples the display unit (22) and the remote control device main body (12) to each other, and that supports the display unit (22) such that the display unit (22) is disposed at a position separated from the remote control device main body (12).