Watercraft Propulsion Control for Automatic Bow-Stern Target Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for controlling watercraft to maintain a target spot are inefficient, often requiring extended time to reach the target due to the need to manually select between bow and stern modes based on the watercraft's position relative to the target.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a marine propulsion device, input, and controller that automatically selects between bow, stern, or compass direction keeping modes based on the watercraft's position relative to the target, optimizing movement to maintain the watercraft efficiently at the target spot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional keeping control is used with manual mode selection, then the system is simple to operate, but it takes extended time to reach the target spot
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically determines the watercraft's position relative to the target spot and selects the appropriate movement mode (bow mode or stern mode) without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by autonomously making control decisions based on position data, thereby reducing the time to reach the target while eliminating manual mode selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives position information about the watercraft relative to the target spot and uses this feedback to automatically select the optimal movement mode. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt its control strategy in real-time, minimizing travel time while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making.
2Productivity
If automated mode selection is implemented, then the time to reach target spot is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it determines the watercraft's position relative to the target spot, selects the appropriate movement mode (bow or stern mode), and controls the marine propulsion device. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves automated mode selection and improved productivity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The position determination function and mode selection logic are merged into the existing controller that already manages the marine propulsion device. This integration allows the controller to automatically select between bow and stern modes based on position data, enhancing productivity while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components that would increase complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a marine propulsion device, an input, and a controller. The input outputs an operating signal indicating a first mode selected in accordance with an operation thereof, and the controller receives the operating signal. When it is intended to move the watercraft to a target spot from a first spot in the first mode, the controller is configured or programmed to select in which mode, including a bow mode that orients a bow of the watercraft toward the target spot, and a stern mode that orients a stern of the watercraft toward the target spot, the marine propulsion device is controlled depending on a position of the target spot with respect to the first spot so as to control the marine propulsion device such that the watercraft is moved from the first spot to the target spot in the bow mode or the stern mode.