Nested Marine Propulsion Lever Grips for Ergonomic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control devices for marine propulsion systems with multiple outboard motors are uncomfortable for operators due to the size and arrangement of control levers, which can be difficult for those with smaller or larger hands to manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a base and at least two outer levers and one intermediate lever, where each lever is supported for pivotal movement about a common axis, with grips nested when the levers are parallel, allowing for closer positioning and easier handling by operators of varying hand sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple control levers are arranged with grips extending toward each other, then the reaction force disperses to a broad area of the operator's palm, but operators with small or large hands find it uncomfortable to hold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by arranging the grips of multiple control levers in a nested configuration where grips are positioned at different depths along the lever shafts. This allows grips to be stacked or layered rather than extending horizontally toward each other, creating a compact arrangement that accommodates various hand sizes while maintaining ergonomic contact points for force distribution.
2Volume of moving object
If control levers are positioned closer together, then the device becomes more compact, but the grips become harder to hold for operators with larger hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional horizontal arrangement of grips to a three-dimensional nested configuration along the lever shafts. By positioning grips at different axial positions rather than spreading them horizontally, the design achieves compactness in the horizontal plane while providing vertical separation that accommodates larger hands and improves grip accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a marine propulsion system includes a base and at least two levers. Each one of the levers is supported by the base at a first end for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis and extending generally normal to the pivot axis to have a second end. The second end has a grip. The grip of one of the levers extends toward the second end of the other one of the levers. The respective grips are nested with each other when the levers extend generally parallel to each other.