Outboard Engine Angle Sensor Using Curved Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outboard engine units with rotational angle sensors for detecting steered angles are costly due to the high expense of sensors capable of detecting pivot angles of 100 degrees or more, necessitating a more affordable yet effective steered angle detection mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An outboard engine unit with a curved member on the outboard engine body and an angle sensor on the stern bracket, where the sensor's maximum operating angle is not greater than half of the maximum steered angle, utilizing a proven trim angle sensor for cost reduction and enhanced reliability, and including a steering section for calculating and displaying the steered angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pivotal angle sensor capable of detecting pivot angles of 100 degrees or more is used, then the steered angle detection capability is sufficient, but the overall cost of the outboard engine unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steered angle detection range is segmented between two components: the angle sensor handles a limited angle range (not greater than half of the maximum steered angle), while the curved member's varying radius of curvature mechanically amplifies the rotation to cover the full steered angle range. This segmentation allows using a cheaper angle sensor while achieving full-angle detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved member acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the angle sensor and the swivel shaft rotation. Its continuously varying radius of curvature transforms the limited angular displacement of the angle sensor into the full steered angle range, enabling cost reduction without sacrificing detection capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If an inexpensive angle sensor with small maximum operating angle is used, then the cost is reduced, but the direct detection capability for full steered angle is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The curved member is designed with a continuously varying radius of curvature from the swivel shaft center axis. This curvature geometry creates a mechanical transformation ratio that varies with the angle of rotation, allowing a small-angle sensor to effectively measure the full steered angle range through the sliding contact engagement along the curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter (radius of curvature) of the curved member to achieve mechanical advantage. By varying the radius of curvature continuously, the system transforms the limited operating angle parameter of the angle sensor into full steered angle detection capability without requiring an expensive large-range sensor.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the overall cost of the outboard engine unit while maintaining satisfactory performance by using an inexpensive angle sensor with a curved member for sliding contact engagement, enhancing reliability and operability through visual angle display.
Implementation Method 1
the curved member being normally held in sliding contact engagement with the contact in such a manner that the contact varies in its operating angle while sliding along a curved outer peripheral surface of the curved member
Data Source
AI summary
Outboard engine body is mounted via a swivel shaft to a stern bracket. Angle sensor, provided on the stern bracket, includes a contact having a maximum operating angle set to be not greater than half of a maximum steered angle of the engine body, and it outputs detection information indicative of an operating angle of the contact. Curved member is provided on the engine body and normally held in engagement with the contact, and it has a continuously varying radius of curvature from the central axis of the swivel shaft, so that the contact varies in operating angle while sliding along a curved outer peripheral surface of the curved member in response to steering operation. Thus, a steered angle is determined on the basis of the detection information from the angle sensor.