Reversible Throttle Grip for Outboard Motor Tillers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outboard motor tillers can be counterintuitive for operators who prefer right-handed control, leading to potential operator errors due to the conventional left-handed orientation of throttle control.
Innovation Solution
A rotation direction switching mechanism is introduced, allowing the operator to manually position the tiller for either left-handed or right-handed control, with opposing driving gears and a manually operable connector that switches the rotation direction of the throttle grip to align with the chosen hand orientation, ensuring intuitive and ergonomic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the throttle grip is configured for left-handed control orientation, then the throttle control follows conventional design standards, but right-handed operators experience counterintuitive control and potential operator errors
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle grip rotation direction is made changeable through a switching mechanism that allows the operator to select between left-handed and right-handed control orientations. The mechanism includes a first position for left-handed orientation and a second position for right-handed orientation, enabling the system to adapt its operational characteristics based on operator preference.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of throttle grip rotation direction by providing opposing driving gears (first and second driving gears) that can be selectively engaged. When switching from first to second position, the rotation direction parameter is inverted, allowing right-handed operators to rotate the grip in the opposite direction to advance the throttle.
2Ease of operation
If a rotation direction switching mechanism is added to allow hand orientation switching, then ease of operation and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle linkage is segmented into multiple independent components: a first driving gear, a second driving gear, and a switching mechanism with first and second positions. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function and enables the operator to switch between control orientations by simply changing the engagement state, rather than redesigning the entire throttle system.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching mechanism acts as an intermediary between the throttle grip and the opposing driving gears. It selectively couples the throttle grip to either the first driving gear or the second driving gear, mediating the transmission of rotational motion and enabling direction reversal without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A tiller for an outboard motor has a throttle grip that is manually rotatable through first and second ranges of motion into and between an idle position in which the outboard motor is controlled at an idle speed, and first and second open-throttle positions, respectively, in which the outboard motor is controlled at an above-idle speed. A throttle shaft is coupled to the throttle grip and is configured so that rotation of the throttle grip causes rotation of the throttle shaft, which changes a throttle position of a throttle of the outboard motor. A rotation direction switching mechanism is manually positionable into a first position in which rotation of the throttle grip through the first range of motion controls the throttle of the outboard motor and alternately manually positionable into a second position in which rotation of the throttle grip through the second range of motion controls the throttle position.