Digital direction display for a trolling motor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11021219-B2
Application number	US-201916276057-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 14, 2019
Priority date	Feb 14, 2019
Publication date	Jun 1, 2021
Grant date	Jun 1, 2021

Abstract

A trolling motor is provided including a position sensor configured to determine the direction of the trolling motor housing, a digital display, a processor, and a memory including computer program code. The computer program code is configured to, when executed, cause the processor to receive position data from the position sensor, generate display data based on the position data, and cause the display data to be displayed on the digital display. The digital display is integrated with the main housing and configured to display the display data so as to provide an indication of the current direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly comprises:
a shaft defining a first end and a second end;
a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein, when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in a body of water, the trolling motor, when operating, is configured to propel the watercraft to travel along the body of water;
a main housing connected to the shaft proximate the first end of the shaft, wherein the main housing is configured to be positioned out of the body of water when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in the body of water, wherein the main housing is rotationally fixed relative to the watercraft such that the main housing does not rotate with the trolling motor housing;
a direction sensor configured to determine the direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft;
a digital display configured to display the direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft;
a processor; and
a memory including computer program code configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive direction data from the direction sensor;
generate display data based on the direction data, wherein the display data includes the direction of the trolling motor housing; and
cause the display data to be displayed on the digital display,

wherein the digital display is attached to and positioned at least partially within the main housing, wherein the digital display is configured to display the display data so as to provide an indication of a current direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft.

2. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a speed sensor configured to measure the speed of the watercraft through the body of water;
wherein the computer program code is further configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive speed data from the speed sensor, and

wherein the display data is further based on the speed data.

3. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a motor sensor configured to measure the output of the trolling motor;
wherein the computer program code is further configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive motor data from the speed sensor, and

wherein the display data is further based on the motor data.

4. The trolling motor assembly of claim 3 , wherein the motor data comprises at least one of motor current, motor speed, or a percent of a maximum motor output.

5. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a battery sensor configured to measure the charge remaining on a battery, wherein the battery is electrically connected to and supplies power to the trolling motor; and
wherein the computer program code is further configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive charge data from the battery sensor, and

wherein the display data is further based on the charge data.

6. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the computer program code is further configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive an indication of a trolling motor mode from among a plurality of trolling motor modes, and
wherein the display data further comprises a mode indicator that provides an indication of a current trolling motor mode.

7. The trolling motor assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of trolling motor modes includes at least two of a manual mode, an anchor mode, an autopilot mode, a speed lock mode, or a heading lock mode.

8. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the digital display is glare or heat resistant.

9. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 wherein the digital display is a liquid crystal display (LCD) display.

10. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the processor and the memory are contained within the main housing.

11. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 further comprising a navigation system that includes the at least one location sensor, and wherein the computer program code is further configured to, when executed, cause the one or more processors to:
generate at least one of a waypoint distinct from a location of the watercraft or a route associated with the location of the watercraft.

12. The trolling motor assembly of claim 11 further comprising an autopilot, wherein the autopilot is configured to operate the trolling motor to propel the watercraft to the waypoint or along the route.

13. The trolling motor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the digital display comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a direction indicator indicating direction of the trolling motor relative to the vessel.

14. The trolling motor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the direction indicator comprises a digital dial disposed about a circumference of the second portion.

15. The trolling motor assembly of claim 13 , wherein the second portion includes a mode indicator, a battery indicator, a speed indicator, a motor indicator, or text.

16. A system comprising:
a trolling motor assembly configured for attachment to a watercraft, wherein the trolling motor assembly comprises:
a shaft defining a first end and a second end;
a trolling motor at least partially contained within a trolling motor housing, wherein the trolling motor housing is attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein, when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in a body of water, the trolling motor, when operating, is configured to propel the watercraft to travel along the body of water;
a main housing connected to the shaft proximate the first end of the shaft, wherein the main housing is configured to be positioned out of the body of water when the trolling motor assembly is attached to the watercraft and the trolling motor housing is submerged in the body of water, wherein the main housing is rotationally fixed relative to the watercraft such that the main housing does not rotate with the trolling motor housing;
a direction sensor configured to determine the direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft; and
a digital display configured to display the direction of the trolling motor housing;

a processor; and
a memory including computer program code configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive direction data from the direction sensor;
generate display data based on the direction data, wherein the display data includes the direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft; and
cause the display data to be displayed on the digital display,

wherein the digital display is integrated with the main housing and configured to display the display data so as to provide an indication of a current direction of the trolling motor housing relative to the watercraft.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:
a speed sensor configured to measure the speed of the watercraft through the body of water;
wherein the computer program code is further configured to, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive speed data from the speed sensor, and

wherein the display data is further based on the speed data.

18. The system of claim 16 further comprising:
a motor sensor configured

Assignees

• Navico Holding As

Inventors

• Bailey Paul Robert

Classifications

• B63H20/007 Primary

  Trolling propulsion units (trolling plates for slowing down B63H25/50; dynamo-electric machines of trolling units H02K) · CPC title

• B63B49/00 Primary

  Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids (nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) · CPC title

• G01C21/203

  specially adapted for water-borne vessels · CPC title

• G01P5/00

  Measuring speed of fluids, e.g. of air stream; Measuring speed of bodies relative to fluids, e.g. of ship, of aircraft (application of speed-measuring devices for measuring volume of fluid G01F) · CPC title

• G01P1/07

  Indicating devices, e.g. for remote indication (indicating working conditions of vehicles G07C5/00) · CPC title