Outboard Motor Engine Temperature Display Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine state display devices for watercraft propulsion units inaccurately display engine coolant temperature levels due to shared threshold temperatures across different outboard motor models, leading to inappropriate temperature readings and the need for additional sensors, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An engine temperature display device that calculates and displays engine temperature data based on standard threshold temperatures, using engine block wall temperature detection to provide accurate temperature levels without requiring additional sensors, and allows software corrections within the existing engine control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If commonly used threshold temperatures are stored in nonvolatile memory for multiple outboard motor models, then the display device can operate across different models, but the engine coolant temperature display becomes inaccurate for models with different temperature characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter basis for temperature display from fixed threshold values to dynamically adjustable thresholds. The ECU now accepts threshold temperature values as input parameters that can be modified according to different outboard motor models, allowing the display to accurately reflect the specific temperature characteristics of each model while maintaining universal compatibility.
2Measurement precision
If a new temperature sensor is installed in an appropriate position to detect accurate engine coolant temperature, then the temperature display accuracy improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing engine coolant temperature sensor data as a copy of the temperature information, rather than installing a new sensor. The ECU processes and recalibrates the data from the existing sensor to provide accurate temperature display, thereby avoiding additional hardware costs and assembly complexity while achieving the desired measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing sensor and processing capabilities to serve the temperature display function accurately. By allowing threshold parameter adjustments within the existing ECU, the system self-calibrates to different models without requiring external modifications or additional components.
3Measurement precision
If model-specific threshold temperatures are stored for each outboard motor model, then the temperature display accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static threshold temperature values into dynamic, user-adjustable parameters. Instead of storing fixed model-specific values in memory, the system allows thresholds to be dynamically modified through the watercraft's control interface, enabling accurate adaptation to different models without requiring complex pre-programmed memory configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
In engine temperature display device for a watercraft, an engine temperature data value is calculated based on a detection signal of a temperature of an engine of an outboard motor. The engine temperature data value is sent to an engine state display device installed in a watercraft by a LAN. A control portion of the engine state display device computes the engine temperature data value based on a plurality of threshold temperatures of a standard engine model stored in a nonvolatile memory, and converts the data value into a display data for indicating a temperature level among a plurality of temperature levels. The display data is displayed on a display device on the watercraft. An engine temperature data value calculating and sending device computes using a plurality of threshold values on an engine block wall temperature specific to an engine, and sends the appropriately converted engine temperature data value. The engine state display device for the watercraft propulsion unit can display an appropriate temperature level of the engine coolant temperature indicated for a model with higher engine coolant temperatures.