Power supply system for watercraft propulsion device
First Claim
1. A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device, the power supply system comprising:
- a plurality of batteries configured to provide power to the watercraft propulsion device, the plurality of batteries being electrically connected to the watercraft propulsion device;
a steering drive unit configured to control directional movement of the watercraft, the steering drive unit being electrically connected to the plurality of batteries and configured to receive power therefrom;
a central processing unit configured to control power supply from the plurality of batteries to the steering drive unit and watercraft propulsion device based on the respective input of the conditions of the respective batteries; and
a power supply circuit that receives power from the plurality of batteries through an independent line from each of the plurality of batteries and provides information concerning the conditions of the respective batteries to the central processing unit;
wherein the system is configured such that power is supplied to the steering drive unit and the propulsion device by a first battery until the power of the first battery falls below a specified level, whereupon the central processing unit instructs the system to switch supply of power to the steering drive unit and the propulsion device to a second battery, thereby permitting the first battery to be recharged.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device which ensures stable power supply to operating devices in the watercraft propulsion device. The power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device preferably includes an operating-system drive control circuit for driving and controlling operating mechanisms in the watercraft propulsion device and a battery for supplying power to the operating mechanisms via a power source circuit. The power source circuit preferably includes a plurality of separate independent batteries that are connected to the power source circuit, and a power supply control circuit is provided to supply power to the operating mechanisms using one of the batteries to be selected according to both battery conditions.
11 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device, the power supply system comprising:
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a plurality of batteries configured to provide power to the watercraft propulsion device, the plurality of batteries being electrically connected to the watercraft propulsion device; a steering drive unit configured to control directional movement of the watercraft, the steering drive unit being electrically connected to the plurality of batteries and configured to receive power therefrom; a central processing unit configured to control power supply from the plurality of batteries to the steering drive unit and watercraft propulsion device based on the respective input of the conditions of the respective batteries; and a power supply circuit that receives power from the plurality of batteries through an independent line from each of the plurality of batteries and provides information concerning the conditions of the respective batteries to the central processing unit; wherein the system is configured such that power is supplied to the steering drive unit and the propulsion device by a first battery until the power of the first battery falls below a specified level, whereupon the central processing unit instructs the system to switch supply of power to the steering drive unit and the propulsion device to a second battery, thereby permitting the first battery to be recharged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for operating a power supply system of a watercraft, the method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of batteries to a switching circuit of the power supply system; connecting a first battery to a motor driver through the switching circuit such that during operation of the watercraft, power from the first battery is supplied to the motor driver, the switching circuit being configured to detect battery voltage and electric current from the motor and determine the battery condition based on the detected voltage and current the switching circuit further being configured to determine whether the battery condition is lower than a specified condition; disconnecting the first battery from connection with the motor driver through the switching circuit such that power from the first battery is not supplied to the motor driver when the battery condition of the first battery is lower than a specified condition; and connecting a second battery to the motor driver through the switching circuit such that power from the second battery is supplied to the motor driver; and providing visual and audio indication to an operator that the first battery condition is lower than a specified condition, wherein the switching circuit continues to detect the battery voltage connected to the motor driver during operation of the watercraft to determine whether the battery powering the motor driver has a battery condition lower than a specified condition.
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8. A method for operating a power supply system of a watercraft, the method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of batteries to a switching circuit of the power supply system; connecting a first battery to a motor driver through the switching circuit such that during operation of the watercraft, power from the first battery is supplied to the motor driver, the switching circuit being configured to detect battery voltage and electric current from the motor and determine the battery condition based on the detected voltage and current, the switching circuit further being configured to determine whether the battery condition is lower than a specified condition; disconnecting the first battery from connection with the motor driver through the switching circuit such that power front the first battery is rot supplied to the motor driver when the battery condition of the first battery is lower than a specified condition; and connecting a second battery to the motor driver through the switching circuit such that power from the second battery is supplied to the motor driver; wherein the switching circuit continues to detect the battery voltage connected to the motor driver during operation of the watercraft to determine whether the battery powering the motor driver has a battery condition lower than a specified condition, and wherein the switching circuit comprises a central processing unit to detect battery voltage and electric current and determine the battery condition.
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9. A power supply system for a watercraft propulsion device, comprising:
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an operating-system drive control circuit for driving and controlling an operating mechanism of the watercraft propulsion device; a plurality of separate independent batteries connected to a power source circuit so as to supply power to the operating mechanism; and a power supply control circuit configured to supply power to the operating mechanism using a first battery to be selected according to battery conditions, each of said separate independent batteries being configured to provide an independent connection to said operating mechanism, and the power supply control circuit being configured to disconnect the first battery from the operating mechanism in response to battery conditions and to connect a second battery to the operating mechanism to supply power to the operating mechanism, said second battery being selected according to battery conditions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification