Trolling Motor Foot Pedal With Tactile Steering Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot pedals for trolling motor assemblies lack feedback resistance, making it difficult for users to feel tactile feedback during operation, and button accessibility is compromised at various pedal positions, leading to accidental actuation or difficulty in use.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a user input assembly with a foot pedal that includes a deflection sensor and a feedback device, such as a rotary damper or flywheel, to provide resistance proportional to the pedal's angular speed, along with strategically positioned switches that remain accessible regardless of the pedal's orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foot pedal is used to control trolling motor direction, then remote operation capability is improved, but tactile feedback resistance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by incorporating a rotary damper that provides resistance force proportional to the angular speed of the foot pedal. This creates tactile feedback that simulates the feeling of mechanically moving the trolling motor, allowing the user to sense the motor's position and movement resistance without direct mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary damper acts as an intermediary between the foot pedal and the trolling motor control system. It provides mechanical resistance feedback to the user's foot while being electronically coupled to the motor control, bridging the gap between remote electronic control and tactile mechanical feedback.
2Ease of operation
If buttons are positioned on the foot pedal for easy access, then operational convenience is improved, but accidental actuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning buttons on specific regions of the foot pedal that are accessible during normal operation but require intentional foot movement to activate. This creates zones of different functionality on the pedal surface, allowing easy access while preventing accidental activation through proper spatial arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If electronic steering is used instead of mechanical cables, then ease of operation is improved, but user feedback resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary damper provides artificial feedback resistance that simulates the mechanical feel of cable-driven steering. The resistance force is proportional to angular speed, creating a natural feeling that helps the user sense motor position and movement without the complexity of mechanical cable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cable system with an electronic control system coupled with a rotary damper. This substitution eliminates mechanical cables while preserving the tactile feedback experience through the damper's resistance characteristic.
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 solution provides tactile feedback resistance, enhancing user control and comfort, while ensuring button accessibility and reducing accidental actuation, thereby improving the operational efficiency and safety of the trolling motor assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a feedback device coupled with the foot pedal and configured to, in response to pivotal movement of the foot pedal about the first axis, provide a resistance force to the pivotal movement
Implementation Method 2
The deflection sensor is configured to detect an angle of orientation of the foot pedal and output a signal corresponding with the angle of orientation of the foot pedal
Data Source
AI summary
A user input assembly for controlling operation of a trolling motor assembly including a propulsion motor is provided herein. The user input assembly includes a support plate and a foot pedal defining a top surface that is configured to receive a user's foot thereon. The foot pedal is pivotably mounted to the support plate. A deflection sensor is in communication with the foot pedal and is configured to detect an angle of orientation of the foot pedal and output a signal corresponding with the angle of orientation of the foot pedal. The signal is receivable by a controller that is configured to control a direction of the propulsion motor of the trolling motor assembly. A feedback device is coupled with the foot pedal and configured to, in response to pivotal movement of the foot pedal about the first axis, provide a resistance force to the pivotal movement.