Trolling Motor System With Hall Effect Sensor Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional trolling motor systems either lack real-time mechanical feedback and steering rate control or require constant user input to maintain direction, distracting from fishing and failing to synchronize the foot pedal orientation with the motor's direction.
Innovation Solution
A manual/electric-steer trolling motor system that uses Bowden cables to mechanically couple the foot pedal to the trolling motor assembly, generating electrical inputs for a steering motor to rotate the steering shaft and lower unit, providing both mechanical feedback and automatic direction maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical steering system with foot pedal is used, then real-time mechanical feedback and steering rate control are provided, but constant user input is required to maintain direction
Solution Approach 1:
A Hall effect sensor acts as an intermediary between the mechanical foot pedal system and the electric steering motor. The sensor detects the position of the foot pedal without mechanical contact and converts it to an electrical signal, enabling the controller to automatically actuate the steering motor based on foot pedal position while maintaining mechanical feedback to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical cable-steer system with an electromechanical system where a Hall effect sensor detects foot pedal position and a DC motor provides steering actuation. This substitution maintains the mechanical feedback feel through the foot pedal while adding automated electric motor actuation to eliminate the need for constant user input to maintain direction.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical cable-steer system is used, then steering feel is provided, but foot pedal orientation is not synchronized with motor direction
Solution Approach 1:
The Hall effect sensor provides continuous feedback on the foot pedal position to the controller. This feedback loop ensures that the electric steering motor accurately reflects the foot pedal orientation, synchronizing the motor direction with the foot pedal position and eliminating the information loss present in traditional cable-steer systems.
3Ease of operation
If constant user input is required to maintain direction, then mechanical feedback is maintained, but user distraction from fishing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically monitors the Hall effect sensor signal and actuates the DC steering motor as needed to maintain the desired direction based on foot pedal position. This self-service capability eliminates the need for constant user input to maintain direction, freeing the user from continuous attention while preserving mechanical feedback through the foot pedal system.
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 offers synchronized foot pedal orientation with the trolling motor's direction, allowing for hands-free operation and maintaining the motor's direction without constant user input, while providing the steering feel of traditional cable-steer systems and the autopilot capabilities of electric-steer systems.
Implementation Method 1
A Hall effect sensor may be used to generate the electrical input to the steering motor based on the position of the moveable component
Data Source
AI summary
A trolling motor system for a watercraft includes a trolling motor assembly coupled to the watercraft. A foot pedal is mechanically coupled to the trolling motor assembly such that mechanical inputs to the foot pedal cause movement of a moveable component of the trolling motor assembly. A steering motor is configured to steer the trolling motor assembly. The movement of the moveable component of the trolling motor assembly generates electrical inputs to the steering motor, thereby activating the steering motor to steer the trolling motor assembly.