Adjusting device for a remote control system

• US 5,175,481 A
• Filed: 08/07/1991
• Issued: 12/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Kanno, Isao
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US07/741,308
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 318/16, 318/568.17, 318/580, 318/581, 318/588, 318/628, 318/685, 318/696, 318/663, 318/652, 226/15, 340/825.05, 340/825.14, 340/825.29
• US Class Current: 318/588
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/216 using electric control means
• 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: B63H 21/22 the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs

Abstract

An adjusting device embodied in a remote control system which adjusts the output potential characteristics of one or more of the system'"'"'s detector'"'"'s relative to their associated inputs and/or relative to each other to improve the motion transmissibility of cables in the system. The system includes a movable operator and a first detector which detects the position of the operator through a first transmitter that interconnects the operator and first detector. A controller element, responsive to movement of the operator, is connected by way of a second transmitter to a second detector which detects the position of the second transmitter and hence, the controlled element. The connection point of the first transmitter to the first detector may be selectively adjusted to vary the angular movement of the first detector relative to a given input produced on the first transmitter by the operator. Similarly, the angular movement of the second detector may be selectively varied relative to a given input produced on the second transmitter by an electric actuator connected to the controlled element by selectively adjusting the connection point of the second transmitter to the second detector.

Claims

1. A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a controlled element comprising, a controlling unit, a remote control unit having an operator movable between a plurality of positions, first means for detecting the position of said operator and outputting a signal to said controlling unit indicative of the detected position of said operator, transmitting means connected to said controlled element, second means, connected to said transmitting means and angularly movable, for detecting the position of said transmitting means and outputting a signal to said controlling unit indicative of the detected position of said transmitting means, electric actuating means for actuating said controlled element and producing an input on said transmitting means on the basis of the signals received by said controlling unit, and means for selectively varying the angular movement of said second detecting means relative to a given input for adjusting the output characteristics of said second detecting means relative to the input.

2. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means adjusts the output characteristics of said second detecting means relative to said first detecting means.

3. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said detecting means comprise a potentiometer.

4. A remote control system as recited in claim 1, wherein said controlling unit comprises a comparator for comparing the signals received from said first and second detecting means and outputting a difference signal to said electric actuating means for controlling its operation to null the difference signal.

5. A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a controlled element comprising, a controlling unit, a remote control unit having transmitting means and an operator movable between a plurality of positions for producing an input on said transmitting means, first means for detecting the position of said transmitting means and outputting a signal to said controlling unit indicative of the detected position of said transmitting means, second means, connected to said transmitting means and angularly movable, for detecting the position of said controlled element and outputting a signal to said controlling unit indicative of the detected position of said controlled element, electric actuating means for actuating said controlled element on the basis of the signals received by said controlling unit, and means for selectively varying the angular movement of said second detecting means relative to a given input for adjusting the output characteristics of said first detecting means relative to the input.

6. A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a controlled element comprising, a controlling unit, a remote control unit having first transmitting means and an operator movable between a plurality of positions for producing a first input on said first transmitting means, first means, connected to said first transmitting means and angularly movable, for detecting the position of said first transmitting means and outputting a signal to said controlling unit indicative of the detected position of said first transmitting means, second transmitting means connected to said controlled element, second means, connected to said second transmitting means and angularly movable, for detecting the position of said second transmitting means and outputting a signal to said controlling unit indicative of the detected position of said second transmitting means, electric actuating means for actuating said controlled element and producing a second input on said second transmitting means on the basis of the signals received by said controlling unit, and means for selectively varying the angular movement of at least one of said detecting means relative to a given associated input for adjusting the output characteristics of at least one of said detecting means relative to its associated input.

7. A remote control system as recited in claim 6, wherein said adjusting means comprises means for adjusting the output characteristics of both of said detecting means relative to their associated inputs.

8. A remote control system as recited in claim 7, wherein the output characteristics of said detecting means are adjusted relative to each other.

9. A remote control system as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said detecting means comprise a potentiometer.

10. A remote control system as recited in claim 6, wherein said controlling unit comprises a comparator for comparing the signals received from said first and second detecting means and outputting a difference signal to said electric actuating means for controlling its operation to null the difference signal.