Watercraft Steering Controller Calibration for Angle Accuracy
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watercraft maneuvering systems lack a calibration process for accurately correlating the output signal of the steering angle sensor with the actual steering angle, leading to potential inaccuracies in steering control.
Innovation Solution
A watercraft maneuvering system with a steering controller that includes a calibration mode to store output signal values corresponding to the opposite limits of the steering range, allowing for automatic steering control and smooth operation by correlating the output signal with the steering angle, and featuring a notifier and input interface for user interaction during calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If calibration mode is added to store output signal values corresponding to steering range limits, then measurement precision of steering angle is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration in advance by storing output signal values corresponding to the limits of the steering range (left and right extremes) in the steering controller's memory. This preliminary action establishes reference points that enable accurate conversion of sensor signals to steering angles during normal operation, improving measurement precision without adding complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering controller automatically performs the calibration function using its own processing capabilities and memory. The controller stores the output signal values from the steering angle sensor at the extreme positions and uses these stored values to calculate steering angles during normal operation, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment or additional complex subsystems.
2Ease of operation
If automatic steering control operation is implemented after calibration, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential calibration errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the steering angle sensor output and compares it against the calibrated reference values stored in memory. The steering controller uses this feedback to accurately determine the current steering angle and automatically adjusts the steering actuator to achieve the desired course, enabling reliable automatic steering control after calibration is completed.
Data Source
AI summary
A watercraft maneuvering system includes a steering including a steering actuator and operable to change a steering angle to change a course of a watercraft, a steering angle sensor to detect the steering angle, and a steering controller configured or programmed to control the steering actuator according to an output signal of the steering angle sensor. The steering controller includes a calibration mode in which output signal values of the steering angle sensor respectively corresponding to opposite limits of the steering range of the steering are stored, and is configured or programmed to perform an automatic steering control operation to drive the steering actuator to operate the steering to a predetermined steering angle after storing the output signal values of the steering angle sensor respectively corresponding to the opposite limits of the steering range.