Watercraft Control Unit Optimizes Propulsive Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating a conventional watercraft requires significant effort and knowledge, as operators must manually select and adjust multiple devices to achieve desired traveling states, leading to inefficiencies and discomfort, especially when inappropriate devices are selected or when devices malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft system that includes a control unit with a traveling state detecting device, operational state detecting device, traveling plan estimating device, and watercraft operating device controlling device, which automatically selects and optimizes the operation of watercraft operating devices to achieve a desired traveling plan, reducing the need for operator expertise and simplifying the operation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple watercraft operating devices are operated manually to adjust propulsive force and direction, then the watercraft can be controlled, but the operator requires significant effort and knowledge leading to operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The watercraft operating device automatically selects and controls appropriate operating devices based on detected traveling state and operator input, making the system self-managing and eliminating the need for manual selection and adjustment by the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system that detects traveling state and operational state, then automatically controls actuators to operate watercraft devices, substituting human effort with electronic control mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If conventional operation methods are used, then the watercraft can be operated, but operator comfort is reduced due to required knowledge and experience
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously detects the traveling state of the watercraft and the operational state of operation devices, using this feedback information to automatically adjust and control operating devices, ensuring reliable operation without requiring operator expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the operator's input and the watercraft operating devices, automatically interpreting operational state and traveling state to determine appropriate device selection and control parameters
3Extent of automation
If automatic optimization of operating devices is implemented, then operation is simplified, but the system requires complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions including detecting traveling state, detecting operational state, estimating traveling plan, selecting operating devices, and controlling actuators, consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control system rather than separate dedicated systems
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft includes a plurality of watercraft operating devices arranged to adjust an amount and/or a direction of a propulsive force or a resistance provided to a prescribed position of the watercraft, operation devices arranged to operate the plurality of watercraft operating devices, actuators arranged to actuate the respective watercraft operating devices, and a control unit arranged to control an operation amount of each of the actuators based on an operational state of the operation devices. The control unit preferably includes a traveling state detecting device arranged to detect a traveling state of the watercraft, an operational state detecting device arranged to detect an operational state of the operation devices, a traveling plan estimating device arranged to estimate a traveling plan of an operator of the watercraft based on the traveling state and the operational state, and a watercraft operating device controlling device arranged to select one of the watercraft operating devices to be controlled from the plurality of watercraft operating devices, and arranged to control an operating amount of the actuator operating the watercraft operating device.