Variable Steering Angle Control for Vessel Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vessel operation systems have a fixed maximum steering angle, which limits the vessel operator's ability to achieve sufficient thrust and veering control, especially at low speeds and with wide outboard motor spacing.
Innovation Solution
A vessel operation system that includes a propulsion apparatus, a steering mechanism to change the steering angle, a speed sensor, and a controller that adjusts the maximum steering angle based on speed data, allowing for larger steering angles at low speeds to enhance thrust and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the maximum steering angle is fixed at a small value, then the vessel structure remains simple and stable, but the right-left direction component of thrust is insufficient, especially at low speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the maximum steering angle variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the maximum steering angle based on the detected traveling speed, allowing the steering angle to be larger at low speeds for better maneuverability and smaller at high speeds for stability, thus resolving the contradiction between thrust effectiveness and operational comfort across different speed conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of maximum steering angle according to traveling speed. The control unit modifies this parameter in real-time based on speed feedback, enabling the system to optimize thrust generation at low speeds while maintaining stability at high speeds, thereby improving both force output and ease of operation under varying conditions
2Ease of operation
If the maximum steering angle is increased to improve low-speed thrust, then the vessel operator can achieve better control, but the vessel may become unstable at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic adjustment of the maximum steering angle based on real-time speed detection. At low speeds, the larger steering angle improves veering control and maneuverability. At high speeds, the system automatically reduces the maximum steering angle to maintain vessel stability, thus resolving the contradiction between control effectiveness and stability across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using the speed sensor to continuously monitor traveling speed and adjusting the maximum steering angle accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the steering angle is optimized for current speed conditions, providing good control at low speeds while preventing instability at high speeds
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed maximum steering angle is used, then the control system remains simple, but the vessel cannot adapt to different traveling speeds and operation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the control system adaptive by dynamically adjusting the maximum steering angle based on detected traveling speed. This allows the system to automatically adapt to different speed conditions and operation modes (steering vessel operation or joystick vessel operation) without requiring complex manual intervention, while adding only minimal complexity through the control unit and speed sensor integration
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel operation system includes a propulsion apparatus mountable on a hull of a vessel and that includes a prime mover, a steering to change a steering angle of a thrust generated by the propulsion apparatus with respect to the hull, a speed sensor to detect a speed corresponding to a traveling speed of the vessel or a rotational speed of the prime mover, and a controller configured or programmed to control the steering so as to change a maximum value of the steering angle in accordance with a speed data based on the speed detected by the speed sensor.