Steering assist system for boat

Abstract

A steering system can be provided for a boat. Such a boat can include a rudder device using an electric actuator to allow a rudder to rotate about a rotational shaft, and a steering wheel 7 for operation by an operator. The steering system can include a steering wheel displacement sensor for detecting the displacement of the steering wheel and a controller for calculating the rotational displacement of the rudder device corresponding to the detected steering wheel displacement and sending an actuation signal to the electric actuator based on the calculated rotational displacement, in which the controller receives a signal indicating an engine speed for producing a propulsive force in the boat, and changes, in accordance with the engine speed, the ratio of the rotational displacement of the rudder relative to the steering wheel displacement.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION [0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-065701, filed on Mar. 9, 2004, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS [0002] 1. Field of the Inventions [0003] The present inventions relate to an electric steering system for a small boat, and in particular, to steering systems that provide variable steering response. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Japanese Patent Publication JP-B-Hei 6-33077 discloses a steering system for a small boat having a boat speed sensor, which is designed to change the ratio of the displacement of a rudder device relative to steering wheel angle depending on the boat speed. This system generates proportionally larger rudder displacements at low boat speeds by raising the steering angle to the steering wheel turning angle ratio. Similarly, the system generates proportionally smaller...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that an electric steering system for a small boat can constantly provide good steering performance corresponding to the boat running speed without a boat speed sensor, thereby reducing the cost and improving the reliability of the system. For example, such a steering system can change, in accordance with the boat running speed, the ratio of the rudder steering angle or displacement relative to the steering wheel turning angle.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, it is difficult to realize a highly accurate control if boat operations are controlled based on the boat speed.

In addition, boat speed sensors are expensive, can become clogged and thus inoperable, and installation thereof on a boat makes the wiring layout and control mechanism more complicated.

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