Outboard Motor Bus Line Termination via Hull-Relocated Resistors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In outboard motor communication systems, the presence of unused terminating resistors is wasteful and complicates wiring, especially when multiple outboard motors are connected, as only one terminating resistor remains functional in such configurations.
Innovation Solution
A communication system design where the main bus line extends from a terminating resistor in the hull, through the outboard motor, and back into the hull to connect to another terminating resistor, eliminating the need for terminating resistors within the outboard motor and allowing for a U-turn configuration that keeps both terminating resistors within the hull, thereby minimizing their number and simplifying wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If terminating resistors are provided inside each outboard motor, then noise reduction is achieved, but the number of unused terminating resistors increases when multiple outboard motors are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the terminating resistors from inside the outboard motors and relocates them to the hull. Specifically, one terminating resistor is provided in the hull at the first end of the main bus line, and another terminating resistor is provided at the second end of the main bus line. This extraction eliminates the problem of unused terminating resistors in multi-motor configurations while maintaining noise reduction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of the bus line configuration by making it extend from the hull through the outboard motor and back into the hull to form a U-shape. This dimensional change allows both terminating resistors to be located in the hull rather than inside the motors, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and elimination of unused resistors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outboard motors are connected with terminating resistors inside each motor, then each motor can operate independently, but wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal bus line configuration where the main bus line extends from the hull through the outboard motor and back into the hull. This universal U-shaped configuration works regardless of whether one or multiple outboard motors are connected, simplifying wiring while maintaining adaptability. The terminating resistors in the hull serve all motors connected to the bus line.
3Reliability
If terminating resistors are located inside outboard motors, then signal termination is achieved at the motor level, but the number of components inside the motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the terminating resistors from inside the outboard motors and relocates them to the hull. This reduces the number of components inside each motor while maintaining proper signal termination through the U-shaped bus line configuration with terminating resistors at both ends in the hull.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system for an outboard motor includes a main bus line including a first end and a second end each located in a hull, two signal lines to transmit data using a voltage difference between the two signal lines, and operable to communicate with the outboard motor, an in-hull maneuvering controller at the first end of the main bus line, a first terminating resistor in the in-hull maneuvering controller to electrically connect the two signal lines, and a second terminating resistor at the second end of the main bus line to electrically connect the two signal lines. The main bus line extends from the first terminating resistor to outside the hull, through the outboard motor, and then back into the hull to connect to the second terminating resistor.