Small watercraft and outboard motor

• US 20030109184A1
• Filed: 10/24/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kanno, Isao
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/08 Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt initiating means for steering B63H25/02
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/21 Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/22 the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/045 for marine engines

Abstract

A small watercraft and outboard motor are configured so that operator-activated command signals are communicated from a control unit in the hull of the watercraft via a local area network to engine component actuators in the outboard motor. The local area network enables a simplified connection to be used between the watercraft hull and the outboard motor to provide communication of the command signals as well as to provide communication of navigational and engine parameter information. The local area network enables the user to operate the watercraft with increased reliability. Because of the small number (e.g., one) of control connections required between the hull and the outboard motor, the process for installing the outboard motor onto the watercraft hull is greatly simplified, which reduces the time and the cost initial installation and the cost of repair.

Claims

1. A watercraft that includes an outboard motor mounted on a hull, the watercraft comprising:

an operator-controlled navigational unit positioned in the hull, the navigational unit comprising at least one engine operation control unit that receives throttle and shift commands and that generates throttle and shift command signals, a control unit that receives steering commands and that generates steering command signals, and a trim selection control unit that receives trim selection commands and that generates trim selection command signals;

actuators in the outboard motor, the actuators responsive to control signals to operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system; and

a control system in the outboard motor and connected via a communication system to the navigational unit, the control system receiving the command signals from the control units in the navigational unit via the communication system and generating the control signals to the actuators in the outboard motor.

2. A watercraft having an outboard motor that includes an engine that produces a propulsion force through a transmission mechanism, the watercraft comprising:

an operator-controlled navigational system comprising at least one engine operation control unit that receives throttle and shift command inputs, a steering control unit that receives steering command inputs, and a trim control unit that receives trim selection command inputs, the control units generating respective control signals responsive to operator inputs applied to the control units;

a display system proximate to the navigational system;

actuators in the outboard motor that operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system in response to respective actuator signals;

sensors that detect operating conditions of the watercraft; and

a control system in the outboard motor that communicates with the sensors and with the actuators, the control system connected via a communication system to the navigational system to receive the control signals from the control units, the control system responsive to the control signals to generate the actuator signals to the actuators, the control system further generating signals to the display system to cause the display system to display information responsive to the detected operating conditions of the watercraft.

3. An outboard motor mounted on a watercraft, the watercraft including a navigation system that receives control inputs from an operator, the outboard motor including an engine that produces a propulsion force through a transmission mechanism, the outboard motor comprising:

actuators that operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system;

a control system in communication with the navigation system of the watercraft via a communication system, the control system controlling the actuators in response to commands received from the navigation system.

4. An outboard motor mounted on a watercraft, the outboard motor including an engine that produces a propulsion force through a transmission mechanism, the outboard motor comprising:

actuators in the outboard motor that operate a throttle body, a transmission, a steering system, and a trim system; and

a control system in communication with a navigation system located in the watercraft, the control system operating actuators in the outboard motor in response to commands received via a communication system from the navigation system, the control system further generating information signals responsive to operating conditions of the outboard motor and the watercraft and communicating the information signals to a display associated with the navigation system.