Outboard Motor Control Apparatus Shift Lever Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard motor control apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the right timing for driving force decreasing control due to difficulties in installing switches at the shift lever, leading to inadequate load mitigation on operators and limited layout flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An outboard motor control apparatus that includes a throttle opening detector, engine speed detector, and engine speed change amount calculator, which work in conjunction with a driving force decreasing controller to decrease engine driving force based on detected throttle opening, engine speed, and calculated speed changes, allowing for precise timing of driving force reduction during shift lever manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a contact switch is provided at the shift lever to detect manipulation position, then the driving force decreasing control can be started at the appropriate timing, but the degree of freedom of layout is limited and installation accuracy is difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact switch system with an electronic sensor system. Specifically, it uses a lever position sensor that detects the manipulation position of the shift lever through non-contact means (such as magnetic or optical sensing), eliminating the need for physical contact switches and their associated installation challenges. This substitution maintains detection accuracy while significantly improving layout flexibility and reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (lever position sensor) that indirectly detects the shift lever manipulation position without requiring direct contact. The sensor acts as an intermediary between the shift lever and the control system, translating physical position into electrical signals for the ECU to process, thereby avoiding the need for contact switches at the shift lever itself.
2Reliability
If a contact switch is installed at the shift lever, then the shift position can be detected, but the space required for switch installation limits design freedom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact switches with non-contact lever position sensors, eliminating the need for physical installation space at the shift lever. The sensor can be mounted elsewhere in the control system and detect lever position remotely through magnetic fields, optical signals, or other non-contact methods, thereby maintaining detection reliability while removing space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional contact-based detection system to a multi-dimensional sensing approach. The lever position sensor can detect position in multiple dimensions (angular position, linear displacement) without requiring physical contact points, effectively utilizing spatial fields (magnetic, optical) rather than physical space, thereby eliminating installation area limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift lever used to change a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of an internal combustion engine to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, it is configured to detect a throttle opening of the engine; detect a speed of the engine; calculate a change amount of the detected engine speed; and conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the engine based on the detected throttle opening, the detected engine speed and the calculated engine speed change amount.