System and method for controlling outboard motor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022106029-A1
Application number	US-202117403919-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 17, 2021
Priority date	Oct 2, 2020
Publication date	Apr 7, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for controlling an outboard motor attached to a boat includes an input, a light unit, and a controller. The input is operable by an operator to select a control mode of the outboard motor. The light unit includes a plurality of light sources. The controller is connected to the input and the light unit. The controller controls the outboard motor according to the control mode. The controller controls the light unit to light the plurality of light sources in a pattern indicating a movement of the boat according to the control mode.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for controlling an outboard motor attached to a boat, the system comprising:
an input operable by an operator to select a control mode of the outboard motor; a light unit including a plurality of light sources; and a controller connected to the input and the light unit and configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor according to the control mode; and
control the light unit to light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources in a pattern indicating a movement of the boat according to the control mode.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the control mode includes a course holding mode; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat according to a predetermined course in the course holding mode; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of the light sources to show the movement of the boat moving according to the predetermined course.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the input includes a left direction button and a right direction button; the control mode includes a heading holding mode; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to maintain a heading of the boat at a target heading in the heading holding mode; and
when the left direction button or the right direction button is operated in the heading holding mode, change the target heading according to an operation of the left direction button or the right direction button and light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the movement of the boat moving left or right according to the operation of the left direction button or the right direction button.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the control mode includes a pattern steering mode; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat according to a predetermined turning pattern in the pattern steering mode; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the predetermined turning pattern.

5 . The system according to claim 4 , wherein
the predetermined turning pattern includes a zigzag pattern; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat in the zigzag pattern in the pattern steering mode; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources in the zigzag pattern.

6 . The system according to claim 4 , wherein
the predetermined turning pattern includes a spiral pattern; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat in the spiral pattern in the pattern steering mode; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources in the spiral pattern.

7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the control mode includes a track point mode; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor in the track point mode to move the boat according to a trajectory passing through a predetermined point; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the movement of the boat.

8 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the control mode includes a fixed point holding mode; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to hold a position of the boat at a predetermined point in the fixed point holding mode;
when the position of the boat deviates from the predetermined position, control the outboard motor to return the boat to the predetermined position; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the movement of the boat returning to the predetermined position.

9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein
the input includes a joystick; and the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat in a direction corresponding to an operation of the joystick; and
light at least a portion of the plurality of the light sources to show the movement of the boat in the direction corresponding to the operation of the joystick.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat forward or rearward in response to a forward or rearward operation of the joystick; and light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show a forward or rearward movement of the boat.

11 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to move the boat left or right in response to a left or right operation of the joystick; and light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show a left or right movement of the boat.

12 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured or programmed to:
control the outboard motor to turn the boat in response to a twisting operation of the joystick; and light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show a turning of the boat.

13 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a left light unit including a plurality of light sources; and a right light unit including a plurality of light sources; wherein the controller is further configured or programmed to light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources of the left light unit and the plurality of light sources of the right light unit in a pattern indicating the movement of the boat according to the control mode.

14 . A method for controlling an outboard motor attached to a boat, the boat including a light unit including a plurality of light sources, the method comprising:
receiving a signal indicative of a control mode of the outboard motor; controlling the outboard motor according to the control mode; and controlling the light unit to light at least a portion of the plurality of light sources in a pattern indicating a movement of the boat according to the control mode.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the control mode includes a course holding mode, and the method further comprises:
controlling the outboard motor to move the boat according to a predetermined course in the course holding mode; and lighting at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the movement of the boat moving according to the predetermined course.

16 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the control mode includes a heading holding mode, and the method further comprises:
controlling the outboard motor in the heading holding mode to maintain a heading of the boat at a target heading; when a signal indicative of a left or right direction command is received in the heading holding mode, changing the target heading in response to the left or right direction command; and lighting at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the movement of the boat moving left or right in response to the left or right direction command.

17 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the control mode includes a pattern steering mode, and the method further comprises:
controlling the outboard motor in the pattern steering mode to move the boat according to a predetermined turning pattern; and lighting at least a portion of the plurality of light sources to show the predetermined turning pattern.

18 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein t

Assignees

• Yamaha Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Itou Yasutaka

Classifications

• B63H2025/022

  Steering wheels; Posts for steering wheels · CPC title

• B63H2020/003

  Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units · CPC title

• B63H20/32 Primary

  Housings {(air intakes for outboard engines F02M35/167)} · CPC title

• B63H25/04

  automatic, e.g. reacting to compass · CPC title

• B63H2025/026

  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 title