Modular trolling motor control system

• US 20080169779A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Outdoors, Inc.
• Inventors: Samek, David M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,538,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/588
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/007 Trolling propulsion units trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/213 Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 specially adapted to water vehicles

Abstract

A trolling motor control system includes plurality of modules that are connected to a communication bus to transmit and receive data used in controlling operation of a trolling motor. Based upon data transmitted over the bus, trolling motor speed, steering, and trim can be controlled. The modules can include motor controller modules, foot pedal modules, compass and GPS modules, RF modules for wireless control, battery metering modules, diagnostic modules, accessory device driver modules, power trim controller modules, and power steering controller modules.

Claims

1. A modular trolling motor control system for controlling operation of a trolling motor, the system comprising:

a communication bus;

a plurality of modules connected to the bus and capable of transmitting and receiving data over the bus, the modules including;

a motor controller module for controlling operation of a trolling motor based upon data received over the bus; and

a user interface module for receiving user inputs for controlling the trolling motor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules includes:

a compass module for providing compass heading data.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of modules includes:

a GPS module for providing positioning data.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the motor controller module controls steering of the trolling motor based upon the compass heading data and the positioning data.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface module included:

a foot pedal module for providing data representing foot pedal generated user input commands.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the motor controller module controls at least one of steering and speed of the trolling motor based upon data from the foot pedal module.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules includes:

a battery meter module for monitoring state of charge of a battery power source for the trolling motor.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules includes:

a power trim controller module for raising and lowering the trolling motor based on data received over the bus.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules includes:

a power steering module for turning the trolling motor based upon data received over the bus.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of modules includes:

a diagnostic module for monitoring activity of the system and diagnosing system issues based upon data received over the bus.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein each module includes a connector to allow it to be connected to the bus.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the bus is a serial data bus.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein electrical power is supplied to the modules over the bus.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein one of the modules acts as a network master to periodically request data from other modules connected to the bus.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the network master maintains a listing of modules connected to the bus.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein each module has a unique address on the bus.

5. The system of claim I wherein the user interface module includes:

a RF control module for communicating with a remote control device.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the motor controller module controls at least one of steering and speed of the trolling motor.