Outboard Tiller Microcontroller Idle Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tiller systems for outboard motors lack efficient and user-friendly control mechanisms for idle speed adjustment and display of critical engine information, often relying on mechanical switches and analog connections that are cumbersome and prone to water intrusion.
Innovation Solution
A tiller system with a momentary idle speed control switch and microcontroller that sends signals to the engine controller via a serial bus, integrated with an electronic display to provide user feedback on engine status, while maintaining a compact and watertight design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical switches and analog connections are used for idle speed control, then the system structure is simple, but the system is cumbersome and prone to water intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and analog connections with a momentary switch and microcontroller-based digital control system. The microcontroller processes switch signals and communicates with the engine controller through a serial bus, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages and analog wiring that are susceptible to water intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary between the momentary switch and the engine controller. This microcontroller acts as a mediator that receives simple switch signals, processes them digitally, and transmits control commands through a serial bus, thereby simplifying the overall control architecture while improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical switches and analog connections are used for idle speed control, then the system structure is simple, but the operation is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces cumbersome mechanical control linkages with an electronic momentary switch that provides intuitive push-button operation. The microcontroller interprets the momentary switch signals and automatically adjusts idle speed, eliminating the need for complex mechanical adjustments and improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller automatically processes the momentary switch signals and independently manages the communication with the engine controller, enabling the system to self-regulate idle speed without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms or manual intervention.
3Loss of information
If electronic display and microcontroller are integrated into the tiller, then user feedback on engine status is improved, but the tiller body complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electronic display, microcontroller, and engine information processing functions into a single integrated tiller body assembly. This consolidation provides comprehensive engine status feedback to the user while containing all electronic components within the existing tiller structure, minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller serves multiple functions: it processes idle speed control signals from the momentary switch, manages serial bus communication with the engine controller, and drives the electronic display to show engine information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tiller for an outboard motor has a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body, and a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body, remote from the control switch, and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller. In one example, the control switch is an idle speed control switch.