Orientation-Aware Marine Throttle Units for Dual Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing throttle control systems for marine vessels are not adaptable to different configurations, requiring separate inventory and increased costs for panel-mounted and center console-mounted models, leading to inefficiencies in production and inventory management.

Innovation Solution

An adaptable throttle unit with a housing and throttle lever that can be installed in either a panel-mounted or center console-mounted orientation, featuring a sensor and controller that adjust propulsion direction based on the orientation, allowing a single unit to function in both configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate throttle units are manufactured for panel-mounted and center console-mounted configurations, then operational functionality for specific configurations is ensured, but inventory costs and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational functionalityVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to function in both panel-mounted and center console-mounted configurations. The housing includes multiple mounting surfaces and attachment mechanisms that accommodate different installation orientations, enabling a single unit design to serve multiple vessel configurations without compromising operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The throttle unit incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable mounting features that allow dynamic adaptation to different installation configurations. The mounting system enables the unit to be installed in various orientations and positions, providing operational flexibility across different vessel types while maintaining consistent performance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If separate throttle units are manufactured for panel-mounted and center console-mounted configurations, then configuration-specific operational requirements are met, but inventory costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration-specific performanceVSAvoidinventory costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle unit employs universal mounting features and housing designs that enable a single inventory item to satisfy both panel-mounted and center console-mounted configuration requirements. This eliminates the need to maintain separate inventory streams for different configurations, reducing inventory carrying costs while ensuring configuration-specific performance through adaptable mounting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If separate throttle units are manufactured for different configurations, then installation requirements for specific vessel types are satisfied, but physical space requirements for inventory storage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation requirementsVSAvoidinventory storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle unit is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow a single unit design to meet installation requirements for both panel-mounted and center console-mounted configurations. This consolidation reduces the physical storage space needed for inventory, as only one unit type needs to be manufactured and stored rather than maintaining separate inventory for different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a single adaptable throttle unit is used for both configurations, then inventory costs and production complexity are reduced, but the complexity of the unit design increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction complexityVSAvoiddesign adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle unit incorporates universal mounting features and housing designs that provide design adaptability for both panel-mounted and center console-mounted configurations. By integrating these adaptable features into a single unit design, the patent reduces production complexity and inventory management burden while maintaining the versatility needed to satisfy different installation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12454342B1Adaptable throttle units for marine drives and methods for installing them

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

An adaptable throttle unit for controlling a marine drive. A housing having first and second sides is coupleable to a marine vessel in a first orientation with the first side above the second side and in a second orientation with the first side below the second side. A throttle lever is configured to be rotatably coupled at an end to the housing such that a handle is above the end both when the housing is in the first orientation and in the second orientation. A sensor measures rotation of the throttle lever. A controller requests forward propulsion of the marine drive when the sensor measures rotation of the throttle lever in a first direction and the housing is in the first orientation, and alternately reverse propulsion when the sensor measures rotation of the throttle lever in the first direction when the housing is in the second orientation.