WATERCRAFT STEERING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A boat, comprising a hull, a propulsion unit at a stern of the hull, a steering device comprising a deflectable direction guide member and an electric actuator for deflecting the direction guide member so as to steer the boat, a steering wheel operable by an operator, the steering wheel adapted to provide an actuation signal corresponding to the amount of a steering wheel operation, a controller adapted to receive the steering wheel actuation signal and to direct the electric actuator to deflect the direction guide member, the controller configured to obtain or receive detection data concerning at least one of an operation status corresponding to the steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, a status of the propulsion unit, and a status of the electric actuator, wherein the controller calculates a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on at least one of the detection data, the direction guide member deflection angle limit being calculated so that direction guide member deflection remains within a range in which the electric actuator maintains a threshold performance level so that steering performance remains advantageous.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A boat steering system provides an operator with excellent efficiency and an excellent operation feel during direction guide member deflection by considering and making adjustments based on a running status of the boat. An ECU controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit. The ECU includes and/lor communicates with detectors and the like for detecting one or more of an operation status corresponding to a steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, recognizing a status of an outboard motor, and detecting a status of an electric motor that roates an outboard motor. The ECU also controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on one or more of the detection values.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A boat, comprising a hull, a propulsion unit at a stern of the hull, a steering device comprising a deflectable direction guide member and an electric actuator for deflecting the direction guide member so as to steer the boat, a steering wheel operable by an operator, the steering wheel adapted to provide an actuation signal corresponding to the amount of a steering wheel operation, a controller adapted to receive the steering wheel actuation signal and to direct the electric actuator to deflect the direction guide member, the controller configured to obtain or receive detection data concerning at least one of an operation status corresponding to the steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, a status of the propulsion unit, and a status of the electric actuator, wherein the controller calculates a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on at least one of the detection data, the direction guide member deflection angle limit being calculated so that direction guide member deflection remains within a range in which the electric actuator maintains a threshold performance level so that steering performance remains advantageous.
- 15. A method of steering a boat having a propulsion unit supported by a hull, a direction guide member, and an electric actuator adapted to deflect the direction guide member to effect steering, the method comprising providing a controller adapted to control deflection of the direction guide member, providing a steering wheel adapted to generate a signal corresponding to steering wheel operation, communicating the steering wheel signal to the controller, communicating to the controller detection data concerning at least one of an operation status corresponding to steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, a status of the propulsion unit, and a status of the electric actuator, and calculating a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on at least one of the detection data communicated to the controller, wherein the direction guide member deflection angle limit is calculated so that the electric actuator will be capable of deflecting the direction guide member up to the direction guide member deflection angle limit while maintaining a desired range of performance.
Specification