Steering Assembly for Sonar Target Lock on Moving Watercraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar systems for watercraft face difficulties in maintaining accurate orientation and coverage of underwater targets due to movement of the watercraft and environmental factors, making it challenging for users, especially anglers, to track and adjust sonar settings effectively while performing other tasks.
Innovation Solution
The development of sonar systems with steering assemblies that can automatically adjust the directional coverage volume of sonar transducers, allowing hands-free operation and maintaining targets within the sonar display, even as the watercraft moves relative to the target, by using processors to control motor assemblies and steering systems to adjust the orientation and position of sonar transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sonar systems are used without automatic steering, then the system structure is simpler, but the user cannot maintain accurate tracking of underwater targets when the watercraft moves
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar system automatically adjusts its own coverage volume orientation using the steering assembly without requiring manual intervention. The processor controls the motor assembly to reposition the sonar transducer elements, enabling the system to self-correct and maintain optimal target tracking automatically
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of targets within the sonar coverage volume and uses this information to automatically adjust the steering assembly. When a target moves out of the optimal viewing angle, the system receives feedback about the target's position and automatically repositions the sonar transducer to maintain accurate tracking
2Reliability
If the sonar coverage volume is fixed in orientation, then the device structure is simpler, but the sonar cannot maintain target lock when watercraft moves relative to the target
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar coverage volume is made dynamically adjustable through the motor assembly and steering assembly. The system can change the orientation of the sonar transducer elements in real-time to track moving targets, transforming a static coverage volume into a dynamic one that adapts to watercraft movement and target position changes
Solution Approach 2:
The steering assembly serves multiple functions: it adjusts the sonar coverage volume orientation to track targets, compensates for watercraft movement, and maintains optimal viewing angles throughout the fishing operation. This multi-functional component enhances target lock stability while managing system complexity
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of sonar orientation is required, then the control system is simpler, but the user cannot focus on other tasks simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic steering assembly performs the orientation adjustment function without requiring user intervention. The processor-controlled motor assembly independently manages sonar transducer positioning, freeing the user to focus on fishing tasks while the system maintains optimal target tracking automatically
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of sonar orientation is replaced with an automated electromechanical system. The motor assembly and steering assembly provide automatic positioning control, substituting manual mechanical operations with an automated control system that enhances ease of operation
4Measurement precision
If the sonar transducer elements remain in fixed position, then the system is simpler, but the directional coverage volume cannot be adjusted to maintain target within display
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar transducer elements are mounted on a movable platform controlled by the motor assembly and steering assembly. This dynamic mounting allows the transducers to be repositioned to adjust the directional coverage volume, maintaining accurate target position measurement as the watercraft moves or targets change position
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
This solution enables users to focus on other tasks while maintaining a stable sonar lock on targets, improving fishing efficiency by ensuring that the target remains within the sonar coverage volume, even when the watercraft is moving or the target is moving, thereby reducing frustration and time wastage.
Implementation Method 1
Sonar (SOund Navigation And Ranging) has long been used to detect waterborne or underwater objects. Sonar transducer elements, or simply transducers, may convert electrical energy into sound or vibrations at a particular frequency. A sonar sound beam is transmitted into and through the water and is reflected from objects it encounters
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar system is provided including a sonar assembly configured to attach to a motor assembly of a watercraft or a watercraft. The sonar assembly includes sonar transducer element(s) that transmit sonar beam(s). The sonar system includes a display, processor(s), and a steering assembly configured to cause rotation of the sonar assembly or the motor assembly. The sonar system includes a memory including computer program code that causes the processor(s) to cause the sonar transducer element(s) to emit sonar beam(s), receive sonar return data from a coverage volume of the sonar transducer element(s), generate a sonar image of the coverage volume based on the sonar return data, receive an input from a user, determine a target in the underwater environment based on the input, and cause the steering assembly to adjust the coverage volume to maintain the target within the coverage volume as the watercraft moves relative to the target.