Outboard Motor Shift Control with Detent Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outboard motor shift control systems face high electric power consumption due to the need for continuous actuator energization to maintain the shift position, which is inefficient and wasteful.
Innovation Solution
An outboard motor shift control system that includes an electric actuator, a current controller to manage power supply, a shift position holder using a detent mechanism, and sensors to detect the established shift position, allowing the actuator's current supply to be discontinued once the position is set, thereby reducing power consumption and securely holding the shift position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric actuator is kept energized to continue producing driving force during holding of the established shift position, then the shift position is securely held, but the electric power consumption becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the holding function from the electric actuator by introducing a separate detent mechanism. The detent mechanism includes a detent arm with a detent tooth that engages with corresponding teeth on the shift rod, physically locking the shift position without requiring continuous electric power. The electric actuator is only energized during shift changes, not during position holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism is designed to automatically engage and hold the shift position once the electric actuator moves the shift rod to the desired position. The spring-loaded detent arm automatically snaps into engagement with the shift rod teeth, providing self-sustaining position holding without requiring continuous external energy input or active control.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the electric actuator is discontinued from supplying current after shift position is established, then power consumption is reduced, but the shift position may not be securely held
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the holding function from the electric actuator by introducing a mechanical detent mechanism. The detent arm with detent teeth physically locks the shift rod in place, providing reliable position holding independent of electric power supply. This allows the actuator to be de-energized while maintaining secure position holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrically-driven holding method with a mechanically-driven detent mechanism. Instead of relying on continuous electric actuation to maintain position, the system uses mechanical engagement between the detent teeth and shift rod teeth, combined with spring force, to securely hold the position without electrical power.
Data Source
AI summary
In an outboard motor shift control system to change the shift position by controlling the supply of current to an electric shift motor for driving a shift mechanism, a detent mechanism is equipped for constraining the operation of the shift mechanism and holding the shift position once the shift position has been established, and the supply of current to the shift motor is discontinued upon detection that the shift position has been established. This configuration makes it possible to minimize the power consumption of the shift motor and ensure secure holding of the established shift position.