Wireless Water Ski Handle with Auto-Backtracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal watercraft systems require constant skier adjustment due to side-to-side movement, and if the skier falls, the watercraft continues to travel away, necessitating manual retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A wireless-controlled watercraft system with a handle component and micro-electromechanical self-correcting propulsion and steering, featuring a fallen skier detection and auto-backtracking feature, utilizing MEMS technology and GPS for maintaining desired path and velocity, and returning to the skier's last upright location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a skier controlled watercraft system is used, then the skier can control the watercraft direction and velocity, but the skier must constantly adjust the direction and velocity due to side-to-side movement
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft system performs self-correction of direction and velocity without requiring continuous skier intervention. The system automatically compensates for disturbances and maintains the desired course, making the system serve itself rather than requiring constant external control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the watercraft's actual position, direction, and velocity, compares this feedback with the desired setpoint, and automatically adjusts the propulsion and steering to eliminate any deviation. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for constant manual adjustment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the watercraft travels at constant velocity in a straight line, then the watercraft maintains stable motion, but the watercraft continues to travel away from the skier if the skier falls
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors skier position and watercraft location using GPS and sensors. When the skier falls, the system detects the change in skier position and automatically initiates a return maneuver to the skier's last known position, preventing permanent separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-programmes an auto-return function that automatically activates when skier distress is detected. This preliminary preparation ensures that the watercraft can quickly return to the skier without requiring manual intervention, reducing the harmful separation distance.
3Ease of operation
If the watercraft is relatively small, then the watercraft is maneuverable and easy to control, but the skier's movement causes significant changes in watercraft direction and velocity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically compensates for the effects of skier movement on the small watercraft through self-correction algorithms. The system senses deviations caused by skier motion and automatically adjusts propulsion and steering to maintain the desired course, eliminating the need for complex manual control adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A water ski handle system used with a personal water ski towing watercraft that includes a handle component that selectively attaches to a standard water ski handle and contains a manual control module. The control module includes directional control buttons, power ON and OFF buttons, and power Up and Down buttons. Coupled to the control module is a self-correcting propulsion and steering system that senses undesirable changes to the watercraft's motion caused by the water-skier when pulled by the watercraft. When a difference is detected, a command module located in the watercraft automatically controls the watercraft's propulsion and steering systems so the watercraft follows the desired path and velocity. The system also includes an auto-back tracking feature that automatically reduces power to the last known marked geographic point the skier was upright.