Boat Throttle Signal Limiting for Accurate Horsepower Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throttle operating devices for small boats struggle to accurately limit horsepower due to mechanical limitations, leading to errors in output signal upper limits caused by mounting or structural errors, and require multiple engine types and inspection steps to comply with regulations.
Innovation Solution
A throttle operating device that outputs an engine control signal with a limit output value as the upper limit, allowing the throttle opening degree to be controlled without mechanically limiting the throttle lever's range, thereby accurately limiting horsepower and reducing the number of engine types and inspection steps needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the movable range of the throttle lever is mechanically limited using a stopper, then the upper limit of the output signal value is limited, but mounting position errors or shape errors of the stopper cause errors in the limited upper limit of the output signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stopper-based limitation system with an electronic control system. The throttle lever can move through its full mechanical range without physical restriction, while the output signal value is limited through electronic processing in the board or ECU. This substitution eliminates mounting position errors and shape errors inherent in mechanical stoppers, achieving more precise control of the output signal's upper limit.
2Power
If the movable range of the throttle lever is mechanically limited, then the horsepower is limited, but errors are caused due to the structure that limits the movable range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical horsepower limitation through stopper positioning with electronic horsepower limitation through output signal value control. The throttle lever operates without mechanical range restriction, allowing full mechanical travel, while the electronic system limits the output signal to correspond to the desired horsepower limit. This eliminates reliability issues caused by mechanical tolerance accumulation in stopper mounting and manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple engine types are prepared to meet different horsepower regulations, then compliance with regulations is achieved, but the number of engine types and inspection steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal throttle operating device that can adapt to different horsepower regulations through electronic configuration rather than requiring different mechanical hardware. The board or ECU can be programmed with different output signal limits to comply with various regional horsepower regulations, allowing a single engine and throttle system to serve multiple regulatory requirements. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple engine types while maintaining adaptability to different markets.
Data Source
AI summary
A small boat includes an output that outputs to an engine controller an output signal having an output value at which a throttle opening degree increases as an operation amount of a throttle operator increases, and outputs to the engine controller the output signal having, as an upper limit, a limit output value at which the throttle opening degree is smaller than that at a maximum output value at which the throttle opening degree is maximum.