Submersible Steering Layout for Lower Pivot-Mount Moment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolling motor systems face significant moments about the pivot mount due to increased thrust forces and shaft lengths, leading to potential bearing failure and increased costs with stronger pivot mounts and bearings.
Innovation Solution
A submersible steering control system is integrated closer to the lower unit of the trolling motor, reducing the moment about the pivot mount and eliminating the need for power and control cables through the shaft, using a solid shaft with a flexible configuration to counteract forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the steering control system is located above the water line with a long shaft, then the steering mechanism is easily accessible and protected from water, but the moment about the pivot mount increases significantly leading to bearing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system is moved from a vertical arrangement (above water line) to a horizontal arrangement (at lower unit near waterline), changing the spatial dimension of the steering mechanism. This repositioning reduces the perpendicular distance from the thrust line to the pivot mount, thereby reducing the moment arm and the resulting moment about the pivot mount while maintaining steering functionality
2Strength
If stronger pivot mounts with better bearing systems are used to accommodate increased forces, then the steering system can handle higher loads, but the cost increases dramatically
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system is extracted from its traditional location above the water line and repositioned to the lower unit near the waterline. This extraction and relocation eliminates the need for a long shaft and reduces the moment arm, thereby reducing the forces and moments transmitted to the pivot mount and bearing system, allowing for cost-effective standard components rather than expensive reinforced structures
3Ease of operation
If power and control cables are run through the shaft to the main thruster, then the steering system can be controlled remotely, but the shaft becomes weaker and more prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The steering control system is extracted and relocated to the lower unit, eliminating the need for power and control cables to run through the shaft. This removes the structural weakness introduced by cable penetrations and allows the shaft to be a solid, continuous structure with full strength, while remote control is achieved through alternative wiring paths outside the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
This application describes a submersible steering control system, e.g., a submersible steering control system used to steer a trolling motor for a boat. Such a submersible steering control system can reduce the moment about a pivot mount coupled to the boat when the trolling motor includes a shaft of increased length and a submersible thruster using increased force (e.g., for use with larger vessels). The submersible steering control system described in this application can be used to include a shaft that is substantially solid (e.g., devoid of cables for power and/or control), thus increasing the strength of the shaft and further increasing the lifespan of the trolling motor. In some cases, the submersible steering control system is integrated with the submersible thruster, further reducing the moment between the steering control system and submersible thruster.