Diagnostic system for watercraft

• US 7,353,095 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kanno, Isao, Motose, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Carone; Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behncke; Christine M
• Application Number:
  US10/255,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,015 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/21, 701/114, 701/33, 701/34, 114/61.12, 440/1, 440/84, 440/2
• US Class Current: 701/34
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A diagnostic system is provided for a watercraft that is propelled by an outboard drive. Sensors can detect conditions of components related to at least the operation of the outboard drive. The diagnostic system can leave inside and outside computers. The inside computer is placed in the watercraft, while the outside computer is placed out of the watercraft. The outside computer is installed with a program to provide the inside computer with an instruction signal to start a diagnosis on the components. The inside computer is installed with a program to provide sensors with a commencement signal to start checking the components, to require the sensors to provide a detection signal, to collect detection signals, and to provide the outside computer with a result of the checking based upon the detection signals. The program of the outside computer additionally controls a monitor of the outside computer to indicate the conditions of the components based upon the result of the checking. The inside computer can create a table listing checked components and provide the outside computer with the table. Alternatively, the outside computer can be eliminated and the inside computer can display the table.

Claims

1. A diagnostic system for a watercraft propelled by a propulsion unit and having a plurality of sensors configured to detect conditions of components related to at least the operation of the propulsion unit, the diagnostic system comprising first and second processors and an output device, the first processor comprising a first module configured to provide the second processor with an instruction signal to start a diagnosis of the components, the second processor comprising a second module configured to provide the sensors with a commencement signal to start checking the components, a third module configured to query the sensors for detection signals, a fourth module configured to collect the detection signals, and a fifth module configured to provide the first processor with a result of the check based upon the detection signals, the first processor additionally comprising a sixth module configured to control the output device to output the conditions of the components based upon the result of the check, the second processor comprising a seventh module configured to create a table listing the conditions of the components based upon the detection signals, and an eighth module configured to provide the first processor with the table as the result of the diagnosis.

2. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first, second and third modules are steps of a computer program.

3. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the output device includes a monitor.

4. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first processor and the output device are located out of the watercraft.

5. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the seventh module is configured to determine whether at least one of the detected conditions of the components is abnormal, and the result of the checking includes the determination conducted by the seventh module.

6. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and sixth modules comprise steps of a computer program running on the first processor, and the second, third, fourth and fifth modules comprise steps of a computer program running on the second processor.

7. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second processors communicate with each other by radio.

8. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second processor additionally comprises a module configured to provide electric power to the sensors upon receiving the instruction signal provided by the first processor.

9. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the watercraft is mounted on a trailer, the first processor is located either in a vehicle pulling the trailer or on the trailer.

10. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensors are configured to detect conditions of components related to at least the operation of the propulsion unit and of the watercraft.

11. The diagnostic system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensors are disposed on both the propulsion unit and the watercraft.

12. A diagnostic system for a watercraft propelled by a propulsion unit and having a plurality of sensors configured to detect conditions of components related to at least the operation of the propulsion unit, the diagnostic system comprising first and second processors and an output device, the first processor comprising a first module configured to provide the second processor with an instruction signal to start a diagnosis of the components, the second processor comprising a second module configured to provide the sensors with a commencement signal to start checking the components, a third module configured to query the sensors for detection signals, a fourth module configured to collect the detection signals, and a fifth module configured to provide the first processor with a result of the check based upon the detection signals, the first processor additionally comprising a sixth module configured to control the output device to output the conditions of the components based upon the result of the check, the second processor additionally comprising a seventh module configured to create a table listing the conditions of the components based upon the detection signals, an eighth module configured to provide the first processor with the table as the result of the diagnosis, a ninth module configured to determine whether at least one of the detected conditions of the components is abnormal, and a tenth module configured to add the determination to the table.

13. A diagnostic system for a watercraft propelled by a propulsion unit, the watercraft and the propulsion unit having a plurality of sensors configured to detect conditions of components related to the operation of the propulsion unit and of the watercraft, the components being electrically connected via a local area network (LAN), the LAN being connected to a computer via a connector disposed separate from the computer, the LAN also connecting a control device configured to control the operation of the propulsion unit to a remote controller, the diagnostic system comprising first and second processors and an output device, the first processor comprising a first module configured to provide the second processor with an instruction signal to start a diagnosis of the components, the second processor comprising a second module configured to provide the sensors with a commencement signal to start checking the components, a third module configured to query the sensors for detection signals, a fourth module configured to collect the detection signals, and a fifth module configured to provide the first processor with a result of the check based upon the detection signals, the first processor additionally comprising a sixth module configured to control the output device to output the conditions of the components based upon the result of the check, wherein the second processor additionally comprises a seventh module configured to create a table listing the conditions of the components based upon the detection signals, and an eighth module configured to provide the first processor with the table as the result of the diagnosis.

14. A diagnostic system for a watercraft propelled by a propulsion unit, the watercraft and the propulsion unit having a plurality of sensors configured to detect conditions of components related to the operation of the propulsion unit and of the watercraft, the components being electrically connected via a local area network (LAN), the LAN being connected to a computer via a connector disposed separate from the computer, the LAN also connecting a control device configured to control the operation of the propulsion unit to a remote controller, the diagnostic system comprising first and second processors and an output device, the first processor comprising a first module configured to provide the second processor with an instruction signal to start a diagnosis of the components, the second processor comprising a second module configured to provide the sensors with a commencement signal to start checking the components, a third module configured to query the sensors for detection signals, a fourth module configured to collect the detection signals, and a fifth module configured to provide the first processor with a result of the check based upon the detection signals, the first processor additionally comprising a sixth module configured to control the output device to output the conditions of the components based upon the result of the check, wherein the second processor additionally comprises a seventh module configured to create a table listing the conditions of the components based upon the detection signals, and an eighth module configured to provide the first processor with the table as the result of the diagnosis, and wherein the second processor further comprises a ninth module configured to determine whether at least one of the detected conditions of the components is abnormal, and a tenth module configured to add the determination to the table.