Outboard Motor Control Device Zone Transition Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steering a boat using an omnidirectional operating unit is challenging when moving the operating lever from one zone to another, as it is difficult to maintain the intended steering method, leading to unintentional changes in shift positions and decreased steering efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method for outboard motors that includes a zone acquisition means, a steering control means, and a determination means to ensure that the shift positions and steering specifications are controlled according to the initially detected zone until the operating lever returns to the neutral state, thereby maintaining the intended steering behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating lever is moved from one zone to another zone without returning to the neutral state, then the steering method changes to reflect the new zone position, but this causes unintentional changes in shift positions and decreases steering efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the neutral state position and establishes a reference zone before actual steering operations. By detecting whether the operating lever has returned to the neutral state, the system prepares the steering control in advance to maintain consistency or allow intentional changes, preventing unintended shift position changes during zone transitions
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating lever is moved to a different zone from the initially detected zone, then the steering specification changes according to the new zone, but the shift position changes unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the position of the operating lever and detects whether it has returned to the neutral state. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to distinguish between intentional zone transitions (where shift position changes are desired) and unintentional movements (where shift position should remain stable), thereby maintaining reliable shift position control while allowing necessary adaptability
3Speed
If the operating lever operation is interpreted according to the current zone position, then the steering responds immediately to lever movement, but the steering behavior does not reflect the operator's original intention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the neutral state and establishes the operator's original steering intention before the operating lever moves to a different zone. By having this preliminary information stored, the system can maintain the original steering behavior even when the lever temporarily moves to another zone, ensuring the steering reflects the operator's true intention while still responding quickly to deliberate zone transitions
Data Source
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AI summary
In a control device for outboard motors (3L, 3R) that controls two outboard motors (3L, 3R) attached to a boat (1), according to an operation by an operating lever (9) that is tiltable in all directions from a neutral state, when the operating lever (9) is moved to a different zone, a steering control means controls shift positions of the two outboard motors (3L, 3R) and a steering specification according to a zone to which the operating lever (9) is moved first, until a determination means determines that the operating lever (9) is in the neutral state, thereby enabling steering easily reflecting the intention of a boat operator and improving a steering efficiency even when an operation of moving from zone to zone is performed.