Outboard Motor Speed Control via Periodic ECU Signal Reset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine control systems for small boats, such as outboard motors, require operators to repeatedly shift gears during slow-speed cruising, leading to an excessive load on the engine's control unit and imprecise control of rotational speed, making it burdensome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An engine rotation control device with a slow-speed operation unit, remote control side control unit, and engine side control unit that communicate periodically to adjust rotational speed, featuring a signal output section, reset section, and timer to manage rotational speed change signals and reduce the load on the engine side ECU, ensuring precise control during slow-speed cruising.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the engine side ECU processes all control signals directly, then the control response is fast, but the load on the engine side ECU becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into two segments: the remote control side ECU handles signal processing and command generation, while the engine side ECU executes control actions. This segmentation reduces the computational load on the engine side ECU while maintaining fast response through dedicated signal processing at the remote control side.
2Device complexity
If the remote control side ECU and engine side ECU communicate periodically, then the load on engine side ECU is reduced, but control signal timing may be inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The engine side ECU transmits operation information back to the remote control side ECU, creating a feedback loop. This allows the remote control side to adjust its signal timing based on actual engine state and communication cycle timing, ensuring accurate control signal transmission despite periodic communication intervals.
3Reliability
If the operation button signal duration is longer than communication intervals, then the signal is reliably transmitted, but multiple signals may be sent causing misinterpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic communication cycles between the remote control side ECU and engine side ECU. Each cycle processes one control command, and the operation information is updated periodically. This ensures that even if the operation button is held down longer than one communication interval, only one control signal is generated per communication cycle, preventing signal misinterpretation while maintaining reliable transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
In an engine rotation control device, a remote control operation device is provided with a remote control side ECU and an engine side ECU so that an outboard motor can be remotely controlled. The remote control side ECU and the engine side ECU periodically communicate a control signal. A gauge includes a slow-speed operation section that changes the engine rotational speed during slow-speed cruising. The slow-speed operation section outputs a change command signal to change the engine rotational speed, and a rotational speed change signal generated by a signal output section based on the change command signal is transmitted to the engine side ECU as a periodic control signal. A reset section of the remote control side ECU resets the rotational speed change signal to an initial state in response to a request from a reset request section.