Outboard Motor Control Synchronization for Stable Watercraft Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In watercraft with multiple outboard motors, abrupt changes in operation signals occur when switching between steering stations, leading to instability in steering and remote controller lever operations due to differences in controlling states between operational and non-operational motors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where remote controllers communicate to synchronize the controlling states of multiple outboard motors, ensuring that when one motor starts up, it aligns with the operational motor's state, and providing independent power supply systems to maintain stability during startup and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each outboard motor has independent control units that start from predetermined states, then each motor can be independently controlled, but abrupt changes in operation signals occur when switching between steering stations
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives operation signals from the steering station and feeds back to synchronize the starting state of the outboard motor with the operational state of the steering station. This feedback mechanism ensures that when the steering station switches, the control unit adjusts the outboard motor's operation to match, preventing abrupt changes and maintaining steering stability while preserving independent control capability.
2Productivity
If the outboard motor starts up from stop state after switching, then the motor can be activated, but the controlling state differs from the operational motor causing sudden changes in steering
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary synchronization by receiving the operational state information from the already-operational outboard motor before the new motor fully starts up. This preliminary action ensures that the control parameters are pre-adjusted to match the operational state, so when the new motor engages, there is no sudden change in steering or operation, maintaining ease of operation while enabling sequential startup.
3Reliability
If remote controllers are mechanically connected by wires, then operation is transmitted reliably, but the levers cannot be operated independently causing constant same operating state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with an electrical signal transmission system. The control unit receives operation signals electrically from the steering station and transmits them to the outboard motor controller. This substitution allows independent operation of each lever while maintaining reliable operation transmission, as electrical signals can be independently processed by each control unit without mechanical coupling constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a watercraft in which a controlling state before a start-up changes less easily and an operating state of a remote controller and a remote controller lever for operating the watercraft propulsion unit is easily kept stable, although at least one of watercraft propulsion units has been in operation and other watercraft propulsion unit(s) starts-up. Remote controllers are connected to watercraft propulsion units. The remote controllers include controlling units, and remote controller levers corresponding to the watercraft propulsion units. The controlling units are mutually connected together to communicate with each other. When one of the watercraft propulsion units has been in operation and the other one start-up from a stop state, the controlling unit corresponding to the start-up watercraft propulsion unit recognizes a controlling state of the controlling unit in operation and controls to agree with the controlling state thereof.