Boat Operator Control System Cable Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sailing control systems for boats with outboard motors are cumbersome, requiring numerous mechanical components and cables, which increase installation time, cost, and complexity, limiting flexibility and making error detection difficult, especially when multiple operator stations are involved.
Innovation Solution
A sailing control system that uses a communication line to connect the operator station to the outboard motor, eliminating mechanical cables and utilizing a BCM to compute and transmit control command values for throttle and shift operations, allowing for easier installation, reduced components, and flexible configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical cables are used to connect the steering seat to the outboard motor, then the control mechanism is reliable, but the device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with an electrical signal transmission system. The control lever operations are detected by a sensor (such as a potentiometer or magnetic sensor) that converts mechanical movement into electrical signals, which are then transmitted to the ECU. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical cables while maintaining control reliability and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the sensor and ECU) between the steering seat and the outboard motor. Instead of direct mechanical connection, the sensor acts as an intermediary that detects lever position and converts it to electrical signals, which the ECU then processes to control the motor. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining reliable control.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical cables are used for throttle and shift control, then the control precision is maintained, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with electrical signal transmission. The sensor detects the control lever position with high precision and converts it to electrical signals that accurately represent the desired throttle and shift positions. The ECU processes these signals to precisely control the outboard motor, achieving the same control precision as mechanical cables but with significantly reduced installation time.
3Reliability
If the line length of signal line is limited to prevent electrical noises, then the malfunction risk is reduced, but the installation flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shielding and grounding mechanisms as intermediaries to protect the signal lines from electrical noise. The signal lines are equipped with shielded cables and proper grounding to prevent noise interference, allowing longer line lengths without compromising reliability. This enables greater installation flexibility while maintaining malfunction prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses differential signaling or redundant signal transmission methods to overcome noise interference. By transmitting signals in a noise-resistant manner (such as differential pairs or with error checking), the system can tolerate longer cable lengths and electrical noise without increasing malfunction risk, thereby improving installation flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple steering seats are installed, then the boat operation versatility is improved, but the mechanical configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with an electrical signal system, which naturally handles multiple steering seats more efficiently. Each steering seat has its own sensor and control unit, and all can communicate with the outboard motor's ECU through electrical connections. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical cable routing and multiplication that would be required for multiple seats, significantly reducing configuration complexity while maintaining full operational versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator control system for a boat, where an outboard motor includes a throttle actuator that controls throttle opening of the engine, a shift actuator that controls a shift position to be put into one of neutral, drive, and reverse positions, and an engine control unit that controls the engine. An operation input portion, to control propulsion of the outboard motor and an operation quantity computation portion, that computes control command values including a start and a stop, the throttle opening, and the shift position of the outboard motor by detecting a steering state of a boat driver at the steering seat, are mounted on an operator station. The operation quantity computation portion transmits the control command values to the outboard motor via a communication portion, and the outboard motor performs control of the start and the stop, the throttle opening, and the shift position of the engine according to the control command values received.