Trim Tab Actuator Lighting for Position and Depth Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trim tab assemblies lack visual feedback mechanisms for users, particularly in marine environments, making it difficult for individuals on boats to determine the depth of water or the position of trim tabs without direct observation.
Innovation Solution
Integration of lights into the trim tab assembly, which can be embedded within the housing or on brackets, providing visual information through color or numerical displays to convey depth or extension status, ensuring visibility and usability in marine settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If no visual feedback mechanism is provided, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of information increases as users cannot determine water depth or trim tab position
Solution Approach 1:
The light is integrated directly into the housing of the trim tab assembly, merging the visual feedback function with the existing structural component. This eliminates the need for separate visual indication devices and reduces overall system complexity while providing continuous visual feedback on trim tab position and water depth conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The light serves multiple functions: indicating trim tab position, providing visual feedback on water depth conditions, and enhancing overall system observability. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to address multiple information needs, reducing the total number of separate devices required.
2Illumination intensity
If a light is integrated into the housing, then visual feedback is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light is embedded within the housing structure, with the housing acting as a protective outer shell that contains and positions the light component. This nesting approach provides mechanical support and protection while maintaining precise positioning through the hierarchical structure, reducing the need for high-precision direct mounting of the light.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with specific local features at the light integration location, such as recesses, mounting points, or transparent sections, that provide precise positioning and support for the light component. This localized precision approach concentrates manufacturing requirements to specific areas rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A trim tab assembly includes a trim tab and an actuator. The actuator includes a housing configured to be coupled to a boat by way of a first bracket and a rod configured to extend and retract with respect to the housing and configured to be coupled to the trim tab by way of a second bracket. A light is provided on at least one of the housing, the first bracket, the second bracket, and the trim tab.