Watercraft Control System Early Malfunction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watercraft control systems fail to detect malfunctions such as foreign object attachment, propeller mismatch, damper slippage, and water landing issues at an early stage, leading to degraded performance and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A control system for watercraft that includes a marine propulsion device with a load sensor and a computer programmed with decision logic to detect load data, determining malfunctions like foreign object attachment, propeller matching, damper slippage, and water landing based on specific decision logics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional monitoring systems are used, then the system structure remains simple, but malfunctions such as foreign object attachment, propeller mismatch, damper slippage, and water landing cannot be detected at an early stage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of malfunctions by continuously monitoring load data and comparing it against decision logic thresholds before actual damage occurs. The control system proactively identifies issues such as foreign object attachment, propeller mismatch, damper slippage, and water landing events by analyzing load patterns before they lead to severe damage or failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The decision logic acts as an intermediary between the load sensor and the malfunction detection. It processes the raw load data from the sensor and translates it into meaningful malfunction diagnoses by applying predetermined criteria and thresholds, enabling early detection without requiring complex direct measurement systems.
2Loss of information
If no load monitoring is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the user cannot notice gradual attachments like barnacles or propeller mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing load sensor and control unit to monitor for malfunctions, leveraging the same components already present in the watercraft. The decision logic is integrated into the existing control system, allowing the watercraft to self-diagnose issues such as foreign object attachment and propeller mismatch without requiring separate dedicated monitoring equipment.
3Reliability
If the propeller damper deteriorates, then slippage occurs between propeller and propeller shaft, but the user cannot notice the slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors load data and provides feedback about the condition of the propeller damper and potential slippage. By comparing actual load measurements against expected values from decision logic, the system alerts the user to deteriorating damper conditions or slippage events, maintaining user awareness without requiring complex additional sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a watercraft includes a marine propulsion device, a load sensor, and a computer. The load sensor is operable detect load data regarding a drive source of the marine propulsion device. The computer is configured or programmed to store a decision logic to determine whether or not a malfunction or trouble of the watercraft has occurred, obtain the load data, and determine whether or not the malfunction or trouble of the watercraft has occurred based on the load data with reference to the decision logic. The load logic includes at least one of a foreign object attachment decision logic, a propeller matching decision logic, a damper slippage decision logic, or a water landing decision logic.