Power supply system for watercraft propulsion device

• US 20050170708A1
• Filed: 01/31/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Okuyama, Takashi
• Granted Patent: US 7,189,125 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor

Abstract

A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device which ensures stable power supply to operating devices in the watercraft propulsion device. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device preferably includes an operating-system drive control circuit for driving and controlling operating mechanisms in the watercraft propulsion device and a battery for supplying power to the operating mechanisms via a power source circuit. The power source circuit preferably includes a plurality of separate independent batteries that are connected to the power source circuit, and a power supply control circuit is provided to supply power to the operating mechanisms using one of the batteries to be selected according to both battery conditions.

Claims

1. A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device, the power supply system comprising:

a plurality of batteries configured to provide power to the watercraft propulsion device, the plurality of batteries being electrically connected to the watercraft propulsion device;

a steering drive unit configured to control directional movement of the watercraft, the steering drive unit being electrically connected to the plurality of batteries and configured to receive power therefrom;

a central processing unit configured to control power supply from the plurality of batteries to the steering drive unit and watercraft propulsion device based on the respective input of the conditions of the respective batteries; and

a power supply circuit that receives power from the plurality of batteries through an independent line from each of the plurality of batteries and provides information concerning the conditions of the respective batteries to the central processing unit;

wherein the system is configured such that power is supplied to the steering drive unit and the propulsion device by a first battery until the power of the first battery falls below a specified level, whereupon the central processing unit instructs the system to switch supply of power to the steering drive unit and the propulsion device to a second battery, thereby permitting the first battery to be recharged.

2. The power supply system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of batteries comprises two batteries.

3. The power supply system of claim 1, wherein the watercraft propulsion device comprises a plurality of outboard motors.

4. The power supply system of claim 3, wherein the first and second batteries are configured to be independently connected to the plurality of outboard motors.

5. The power supply system of claim 1, wherein when the second battery falls below a specified level, the central processing unit is configured to instruct the system to switch supply of power to the steering drive unit the and propulsion device to the first battery, thereby permitting the second battery to be recharged.

6. The power supply system of claim 1, further comprising a light-emitting diode and buzzer to provide visual and audio indication of the condition of the battery.

7. A method for operating a power supply system of a watercraft, the method comprising:

connecting a plurality of batteries to a switching circuit of the power supply system;

connecting a first battery to a motor driver through the switching circuit such that during operation of the watercraft, power from the first battery is supplied to the motor driver, the switching circuit being configured to detect battery voltage and electric current from the motor and determine the battery condition based on the detected voltage and current, the switching circuit further being configured to determine whether the battery condition is lower than a specified condition;

disconnecting the first battery from connection with the motor driver through the switching circuit such that power from the first battery is not supplied to the motor driver when the battery condition of the first battery is lower than a specified condition; and

connecting a second battery to the motor driver through the switching circuit such that power from the second battery is supplied to the motor driver;

wherein the switching circuit continues to detect the battery voltage connected to the motor driver during operation of the watercraft to determine whether the battery powering the motor driver has a battery condition lower than a specified condition.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing visual and audio indication to an operator that the first battery condition is lower than a specified condition.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the switching circuit comprises a central processing unit to detect battery voltage and electric current and determine the battery condition.

10. A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device, comprising:

an operating-system drive control circuit for driving and controlling an operating mechanism of the watercraft propulsion device;

a plurality of separate independent batteries connected to a power source circuit so as to supply power to the operating mechanism; and

a power supply control circuit configured to supply power to the operating mechanism using one of the batteries to be selected according to battery conditions.

11. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device of claim 10, wherein the operating-system drive control circuit functions as the power supply control circuit.

12. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device according to claim 10, wherein the operating mechanism includes at least one of a steering drive unit, a throttle operating device, a shift operating device and an engine drive unit.

13. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device according to claim 11, wherein the operating mechanism includes at least one of a steering drive unit, a throttle operating device, a shift operating device and an engine drive unit.

14. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device according to claim 12, wherein the steering drive unit is connected to a steering angle detecting device of a steering wheel;

the steering angle detecting device, the steering drive unit, the throttle operating device, the shift operating device and the engine drive unit comprise a control circuit for steering operations, a control circuit for steering drive, a control circuit for throttle operations, a control circuit for shift operations, and a control circuit for engine drive, respectively; and

the control circuits each function as the power supply control circuit.

15. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device according to claim 13, wherein the steering drive unit is connected to a steering angle detecting device of a steering wheel;

the steering angle detecting device, the steering drive unit, the throttle operating device, the shift operating device and the engine drive unit comprise a control circuit for steering operations, a control circuit for steering drive, a control circuit for throttle operations, a control circuit for shift operations, and a control circuit for engine drive, respectively; and

the control circuits each function as the power supply control circuit.