Boat Steering Wheel Power Transfer With Battery Voltage Cutoff

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy and data transmission systems for vessels face challenges in the marine environment, including corrosion from salt, the need to interface with moving parts, and the risk of overloading the vessel's battery, which can compromise essential functions like starting propulsion engines.

Innovation Solution

A system with detection means for monitoring voltage and current, a first control unit with switch means to manage energy transmission based on detected values, and a second control unit for managing heating and additional electronic devices, ensuring efficient energy transmission while protecting the battery and preventing overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If energy transmission systems are installed in vessels, then heated steering wheels and electronic devices can be powered, but the battery may be excessively overloaded, compromising essential functions like starting propulsion engines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy transmission capabilityVSAvoidbattery operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a control unit that continuously monitors battery voltage and provides feedback to regulate energy transmission. When voltage drops below a threshold indicating low battery charge, the system automatically interrupts or limits energy transmission to the steering wheel heater and electronic devices, preventing excessive battery discharge and ensuring reliable operation of essential vessel functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic components are exposed to the marine environment, then the system can operate on vessels, but salt spray causes corrosion of metal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarine environment adaptabilityVSAvoidsalt corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs protective enclosures and insulating materials as intermediary barriers between the electronic components and the marine environment. These intermediaries prevent salt spray from directly contacting metal components, thereby reducing corrosion while allowing the system to function in harsh marine conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the first part is integral with the dashboard (no relative movement), then electrical connection stability is improved, but the steering wheel cannot rotate freely with respect to the dashboard

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidsteering wheel rotation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the system into two separate integral assemblies: the first part integrally mounted with the dashboard and the second part integrally mounted with the steering wheel. These segmented assemblies are connected through a rotational interface that allows the steering wheel to rotate freely while maintaining stable electrical connections through flexible cables or rotary connectors between the segmented parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficiently transmits energy and data to the steering wheel while protecting the vessel's battery from excessive discharge and preventing overheating, ensuring reliable operation in the marine environment.

Implementation Method 1

means for detecting the voltage values at the ends of the power source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 2

resistive elements embedded in the handle that generate heat if traversed by current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4523995A1System for the transmission of energy and data for steering wheels of boats
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 ULTRAFLEX
  • EP4523995A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4523995A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4523995A1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

System for the transmission of energy and data for vessel steering wheels, comprising a first part (12) mounted integral with the dashboard (1) of the vessel and a second part (22) mounted integral with the steering wheel, said first part (12) comprising first transmission means connected to a power source (31) mounted on board the vessel. The second part (22) comprises second transmission means connected to a system for exploiting the energy and data transmitted, the first and second transmission means being configured to transmit the electric current from the power source (31) to the exploitation system. There are also means for detecting (33) the voltage of the power source (31) and/or of the current absorbed by said exploitation system, there being provided a first control unit (13) comprising first switch means (11) configured to activate/deactivate the connection of the first transmission means to the power source (31), which switch means (11) are operated on the basis of the value detected by the detection means (33) .