Trolling Motor Control Switching With Retractable Steering Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trolling motors often face limitations in control modes, with locally controlled motors restricting operation to the immediate area and remotely controlled motors becoming unreliable if the remote control interface is damaged or lost, hindering simultaneous operation of other equipment during fishing or marine activities.
Innovation Solution
A trolling motor system that seamlessly transitions between remote and local control modes using a handle-based mechanism, where a steering assembly is disabled upon handle extension, allowing users to manually control the motor, and includes a sensor to detect handle position for automatic mode switching, ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote control assembly is used to operate the trolling motor, then the user can operate the motor from a distance or hands-free, but the system becomes unreliable if the remote control is damaged, lost, or fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational state parameter by detecting handle position (stowed vs. extended) to switch between remote and local control modes. When the handle is extended, the system transitions from remote control parameter state to local control parameter state, ensuring continuous operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for remote control failure by having a local control mechanism (handle) ready in advance. If the remote control fails or is lost, the user can immediately extend the handle to switch to local control mode, providing a backup control method that cushions against the failure risk
2Reliability
If a local control handle is used to steer the trolling motor, then the control is reliable and direct, but the operator cannot simultaneously operate other equipment and the handle may strike objects or persons
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to be dynamic rather than static, able to extend and retract based on operational needs. When remote control is active, the handle retracts into the housing to avoid obstruction. When local control is needed, the handle extends for direct manipulation, adapting its state to the current control mode
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into two independent control paths: remote control (electronic/wireless) and local control (mechanical handle). The system can selectively engage one path while disengaging the other, allowing the handle to be retracted during remote operation to avoid striking objects or persons
3Adaptability or versatility
If the handle is always extended for local control access, then the user can quickly switch to manual control, but the handle may collide with objects or persons and the housing cannot rotate freely
Solution Approach 1:
The handle position is dynamic, automatically adjusting between extended and retracted states based on the active control mode. During remote operation, the handle retracts to eliminate collision risk and allow free housing rotation. When local control is activated, the handle extends to provide manual steering capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from handle position sensors to determine whether the handle is extended or retracted, and automatically switches control modes accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the handle is in the appropriate position for the current operational mode, preventing collisions during remote operation
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A trolling motor system is provided including a wired or wireless controller and a trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft. The trolling motor assembly includes a steering assembly configured to steer a trolling motor housing based on a steering command received from the wired or wireless controller in a remote mode, a handle configured to enable a user to steer the trolling motor housing in a local mode, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the processor to receive one or more steering commands from the wired or wireless controller, cause the steering assembly to steer the trolling motor housing based on the one or more steering commands, receive an indication to enter the local mode, and disable the steering assembly in response to receiving the indication to enter the local mode.