Joystick assembly and system for controlling steering and thrust of a marine propulsion device

• US 10,082,788 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2017
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Dengel, Michael P., Ziemer, Lance W., Gonring, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEUNG, CALVIN K
• Application Number:
  US15/492,188
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/026 using multi-axis control levers, or the like, e.g. joysticks, wherein at least one degree of freedom is employed for steering, slowing down, or dynamic anchoring
• 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 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring

Abstract

A system for controlling steering and thrust of a marine vessel'"'"'s propulsion device includes a joystick assembly providing input signals to a control module. The joystick assembly includes a docking station at the helm; a first electrical connector in the docking station cable-connected to the control module; a detachable base for coupling with the docking station; a handle moveable within the detachable base to generate the input signals; a second, complementary electrical connector in the detachable base; and a wireless transmitter mounted in the detachable base. A wireless receiver communicates with the transmitter and the control module. When the detachable base is coupled to the docking station and the electrical connectors are mated, the cable transmits input signals to the control module. When the detachable base is removed from the docking station and the electrical connectors are disconnected, the wireless transmitter and receiver transmit input signals to the control module.

Claims

1. A system for controlling steering and thrust of a marine propulsion device on a marine vessel, the system comprising:

a control module in signal communication with the marine propulsion device;

a joystick assembly in signal communication with the control module and providing input signals to the control module, the joystick assembly comprising;

a docking station configured to be coupled to a helm of the vessel;

a first electrical connector mounted in the docking station and connected to the control module by at least one cable;

a detachable base configured to couple with the docking station;

a handle supported by the detachable base and moveable with respect to the detachable base to generate the input signals;

a second electrical connector, complementary to the first electrical connector, mounted in the detachable base; and

a wireless transmitter mounted in the detachable base; and

a wireless receiver in signal communication with the wireless transmitter and with the control module;

wherein, in response to the second electrical connector being mated with the first electrical connector when the detachable base is coupled to the docking station, the input signals are transmitted to the control module via the at least one cable; and

wherein, in response to the second electrical connector being disconnected from the first electrical connector when the detachable base is removed from the docking station, the input signals are transmitted to the control module via the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detachable base of the joystick assembly further comprises a deadman switch, and wherein the input signals are not transmitted to the control module unless the deadman switch is depressed.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the docking station of the joystick assembly comprises a sloped slot shaped to receive and depress the deadman switch while the detachable base is coupled to the docking station.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the deadman switch is biased by a spring into a non-depressed state.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the detachable base of the joystick assembly further comprises an indicator that provides a first indication in response to the wireless transmitter being operational and the deadman switch being depressed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the indicator provides a second, different indication in response to the wireless transmitter not being operational or the deadman switch not being depressed.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the detachable base of the joystick assembly further comprises a directional sensor in communication with the wireless transmitter;

and

wherein the directional sensor determines an orientation of the detachable base, and the wireless transmitter sends the orientation of the detachable base to the control module for comparison with an orientation of the vessel.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the detachable base of the joystick assembly includes a rechargeable battery;

and

wherein the rechargeable battery is connected to a power supply via the first and second electrical connectors upon coupling of the detachable base with the docking station.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module ignores data from the wireless receiver when the detachable base is coupled to the docking station and the second electrical connector is mated with the first electrical connector.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the joystick assembly comprises the only joystick configured to communicate with the control module.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver is mounted in the docking station of the joystick assembly.

12. A joystick assembly for generating and sending input signals to a control module that controls steering and thrust of a marine propulsion device on a marine vessel, the joystick assembly comprising:

a docking station configured to be coupled to a helm of the vessel;

a first electrical connector mounted in the docking station and connected to the control module by at least one cable;

a detachable base configured to couple with the docking station;

a handle supported by the detachable base and moveable with respect to the detachable base to generate the input signals;

a second electrical connector, complementary to the first electrical connector, mounted in the detachable base;

a wireless transmitter mounted in the detachable base; and

a wireless receiver mounted in the docking station and in signal communication with the wireless transmitter and with the control module;

wherein, in response to the second electrical connector being mated with the first electrical connector when the detachable base is coupled to the docking station, the input signals are transmitted to the control module via the at least one cable; and

wherein, in response to the second electrical connector being disconnected from the first electrical connector when the detachable base is removed from the docking station, the input signals are transmitted to the control module via the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver.

13. The joystick assembly of claim 12, wherein the detachable base further comprises a deadman switch, and wherein the control module ignores the input signals unless the deadman switch is depressed.

14. The joystick assembly of claim 13, wherein the docking station comprises a sloped slot shaped to receive and depress the deadman switch while the detachable base is coupled to the docking station.

15. The joystick assembly of claim 14, wherein the deadman switch is biased by a spring into a non-depressed state.

16. The joystick assembly of claim 13, wherein the detachable base further comprises an indicator that provides a first indication in response to the wireless transmitter being operational and the deadman switch being depressed.

17. The joystick assembly of claim 16, wherein the indicator provides a second, different indication in response to the wireless transmitter not being operational and the deadman switch not being depressed.

18. The joystick assembly of claim 12, wherein the detachable base further comprises a directional sensor in communication with the wireless transmitter;

and

wherein the directional sensor determines an orientation of the detachable base, and the wireless transmitter sends the orientation of the detachable base to the control module for comparison with an orientation of the vessel.

19. The joystick assembly of claim 12, wherein the detachable base includes a rechargeable battery;

and

wherein the rechargeable battery is connected to a power supply via the first and second electrical connectors upon coupling of the detachable base with the docking station.

20. The joystick assembly of claim 12, wherein the control module ignores data from the wireless receiver when the detachable base is coupled to the docking station and the second electrical connector is mated with the first electrical connector.