Steering Wheel Transverse Switches for Watercraft Lateral Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of watercraft find it uncomfortable to perform transverse movements as the joystick operations differ significantly from steering wheel operations, requiring separate handling and increasing the learning curve.
Innovation Solution
Integration of transversely leftward and rightward moving switches onto the steering wheel, allowing operators to control lateral movement without releasing their hands from the wheel, combined with a controller that manages marine propulsion for smooth transverse movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the joystick is used for transverse movement control, then the watercraft can be moved laterally, but the operator finds it uncomfortable due to different operation requirements compared to steering wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transverse movement control function into the steering wheel by integrating leftward and rightward moving switches directly onto the steering wheel structure. This allows the operator to control transverse movement using the same hand and control interface (steering wheel) already familiar from steering operations, eliminating the need to learn and switch to a separate joystick control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is designed to serve multiple functions: traditional steering control and transverse movement control. By incorporating switches that enable both steering and transverse movement capabilities into a single device, the system eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms, making the steering wheel a universal control interface for both functions.
2Ease of operation
If separate steering wheel and joystick controls are used, then steering and transverse movement can be controlled independently, but the operator must release hands from steering wheel to operate joystick
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transverse movement control switches with the steering wheel structure, allowing the operator to perform both steering and transverse movement control with hands on the steering wheel. This integration eliminates the need to release the steering wheel to operate separate controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering wheel is segmented into functional zones with different switches positioned at specific locations (leftward moving switch, rightward moving switch, and steering wheel rotation areas). Each segment handles a specific control function, allowing independent operation of steering and transverse movement while keeping hands on the wheel.
3Ease of operation
If joystick operation is required for transverse movement, then precise lateral control is achieved, but the learning curve increases due to different operation mechanics
Solution Approach 1:
By merging transverse movement control into the steering wheel, the patent uses the same control interface and hand movements for both steering and transverse movement. This eliminates the learning curve associated with switching between different control mechanisms (steering wheel vs. joystick) and ensures consistent operation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by allowing the steering wheel to detect both rotational input (for steering) and switch activation (for transverse movement) through the same hand movements. This unified parameter detection approach simplifies the operator's task and ensures consistent control behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft includes a transversely leftward moving switch and a transversely rightward moving switch attached to a steering wheel. A controller is configured or programmed to control a marine propulsion device so as to move a vessel body of the watercraft transversely leftward when the transversely leftward moving switch is operated. The controller is configured or programmed to control the marine propulsion device so as to move the vessel body transversely rightward when the transversely rightward moving switch is operated.