Floating Vessel Steering via Electrical Transducer Substitution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floating vessels with outriggers face difficulties in assembly and disassembly, leading to mechanical misalignment and compromised steering accuracy due to the use of mechanical servomechanisms like Bowden cables.

Innovation Solution

A helm connected to a proportional transducer generates control signals that directly control motors via electrical connections, eliminating the need for mechanical servomechanisms and allowing for precise steering without misalignment, using motor controllers with power regulators and digital signal conversion for enhanced reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical servomechanisms like Bowden cables are used to connect the helm to motors in outriggers, then steering control can be achieved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult and mechanical misalignment occurs compromising steering accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering accuracyVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical servomechanisms (Bowden cables) with an electrical control system consisting of a helm, proportional transducer, control unit, and electrical connections to motor controllers. This substitution eliminates the mechanical alignment issues and assembly difficulties while maintaining steering control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a proportional transducer and control unit as intermediaries between the helm and motors. The helm generates control signals that are converted by the proportional transducer and processed by the control unit, which then actuates the motors. This intermediary electrical signal transmission system replaces direct mechanical linkage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If outriggers are made easily detachable for transport, then transportability is improved, but mechanical misalignment and compromised steering accuracy occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransportabilityVSAvoidsteering alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical servomechanisms with an electrical control system that uses detachable electrical connections rather than permanent mechanical linkages. This allows outriggers to be easily attached and detached without compromising steering precision, as electrical connections can be reliably made and broken without mechanical alignment issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If electrical connections are used between helm and outriggers instead of mechanical servomechanisms, then assembly and disassembly become easier, but steering precision might be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidhelm position detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes mechanical servomechanisms with an electrical system that uses a proportional transducer to detect helm position and convert it to control signals. This electrical detection and control system provides precise helm position measurement while allowing easy assembly and disassembly through detachable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The proportional transducer provides feedback on helm position to the control unit, enabling precise control of motor actuation. The control unit processes the control signals and actuates the motors with appropriate power settings based on the detected helm position, ensuring accurate steering response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enables easy assembly and disassembly without affecting the vessel's riding qualities, providing smooth and precise steering, improved operational security, and simplified transportability by eliminating mechanical complexities.

Implementation Method 1

a helm of the floating vessel is connected to a proportional transducer and in that a control signal from the proportional transducer is supplied to a control unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProportional transduction:

Implementation Method 2

each comprising at least one propeller driven by a motor, especially an electric motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10836454B2Floating vessel

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 CAYAGO TEC GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a floating vessel comprising a hull, at least one seat, and two outriggers arranged laterally to the hull and connected directly or indirectly to the hull, wherein a drive unit, separately controllable in its drive output, and comprising a respective at least one propeller driven by a motor, in particular an electric motor, is assigned to each outrigger. A helm of the floating vessel is thereby connected to a proportional transducer, and a control signal from the proportional transducer is supplied to a control unit which directly or indirectly controls the motors in accordance with the control signal from the proportional transducer. Thus, a precisely controllable and yet easily disassemblable floating vessel is provided.