Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with: an encoder which detects the rotational speed of an engine; a position sensor which detects an operating position of a shift lever; and a state quantity detection unit which detects a state quantity of a shift actuator. A control device of the outboard motor determines whether the state quantity is more than or equal to a stop-initiating threshold value when the operating position has been switched. If the state quantity is more than or equal to the stop-initiating threshold value, the control device implements a stop control to stop ignition and/or fuel injection in the engine.

Abstract: A shift device for an outboard motor includes a forward gear and a reverse gear; a clutch gear; a shift actuator configured to move between a neutral reference position where the clutch gear is disengaged from the forward gear and the reverse gear and an engagement reference position where the clutch gear is engaged with the forward gear or the reverse gear; and a control device configured to control a movement of the shift actuator. The control device is configured to set an intermediate target position, and to set a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the intermediate target position to the engagement reference position slower than a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the neutral reference position to the intermediate target position.

Abstract: A fastener painting system is a system for painting a head of a fastener. The system includes: a cup for covering the head of the fastener by contacting an edge of the cup with a surface of the object; a supply system; a liquid discharging system; and a moving mechanism. The cup has a cavity for being filled up with paint. The supply system is configured to store the paint and supply the paint into the cavity of the cup. The liquid discharging system is configured to discharge surplus paint in the cavity out of the cup. The moving mechanism is configured to change a position of the cup relative to the object. The cup has a supply port for supplying the paint into the cavity, a vent for discharging air in the cavity out, and a liquid discharging port for discharging the surplus paint out of the cavity.

Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with: an encoder which detects the rotational speed of an engine; a position sensor which detects an operating position of a shift lever; and a state quantity detection unit which detects a state quantity of a shift actuator. A control device of the outboard motor determines whether the state quantity is more than or equal to a stop-initiating threshold value when the operating position has been switched. If the state quantity is more than or equal to the stop-initiating threshold value, the control device implements a stop control to stop ignition and/or fuel injection in the engine.

Abstract: A shift device for an outboard motor includes a forward gear and a reverse gear; a clutch gear; a shift actuator configured to move between a neutral reference position where the clutch gear is disengaged from the forward gear and the reverse gear and an engagement reference position where the clutch gear is engaged with the forward gear or the reverse gear; and a control device configured to control a movement of the shift actuator. The control device is configured to set an intermediate target position, and to set a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the intermediate target position to the engagement reference position slower than a speed at which the shift actuator moves from the neutral reference position to the intermediate target position.

Abstract: The power equipment such as a lawn mower (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (100) having a plurality of cylinders, an engine control unit (110) for selectively deactivating at least one of the cylinders, a work implement such as a cutting blade (70) connected to the engine in a power transmitting relationship, a clutch (80) provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the work implement, and a central control unit (50) for controlling an operation of a propelling device, the clutch and the engine control unit. The central control unit is configured to operate the engine at a prescribed rotational speed with two or more of the cylinders kept activated when the clutch is engaged and the propelling device is propelling the power equipment forward, and to deactivate at least one of the cylinders when an opening of a throttle valve is below a first prescribed value for a prescribed time period.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for a general purpose engine includes a carburetor provided in an air intake line extending from an air cleaner to the general purpose engine, a pressure reduction connection channel connected to a float chamber of the carburetor and the air cleaner, a control valve provided in the pressure reduction connection channel, a pressure reduction pump provided in the pressure reduction connection channel and sucking the float chamber to reduce the pressure therein, an air fuel ratio sensor detecting the air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas discharged from the general purpose engine, and a control unit controlling the opening degree of the control valve based on a detection signal of the air fuel ratio sensor.

Abstract: The lawn mower (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (100) having a plurality of cylinders, an engine control unit (110) for selectively deactivating at least one of the cylinders, a cutting blade (70) supported by a lawn mower main body via a cutter deck, and connected to the engine in a power transmitting relationship, a clutch (80) provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the cutting blade, a height adjustment mechanism (90) provided on the cutter deck for adjusting the height of the cutting blade, and a central control unit (50) for controlling an operation of the height adjusting mechanism, the clutch and the engine control unit. The central control unit is configured to cause the engine control unit to deactivate at least one of the cylinders when a prescribed operating condition is met, and to raise the cutting blade to a prescribed elevated height before deactivating the at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: The power equipment such as a lawn mower (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (100) having a plurality of cylinders, an engine control unit (110) for selectively deactivating at least one of the cylinders, a work implement such as a cutting blade (70) connected to the engine in a power transmitting relationship, a clutch (80) provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the work implement, and a central control unit (50) for controlling an operation of a propelling device, the clutch and the engine control unit. The central control unit is configured to start the engine with two or more of the cylinders activated, to cause the engine control unit to operate the engine at a prescribed rotational speed, and to cause the engine control unit to deactivate at least one of the cylinders when the engine has reached a stable state at the prescribed rotational speed.

Abstract: A diaphragm type fuel pump includes a rod, one end of which is coupled to a diaphragm, a plunger which is slidably fitted with respect to the other end of the rod, and a plunger biasing member which biases the plunger toward the other end of the rod. The other end of the rod has a first pin extending outward radially. A through hole extends through the plunger in a radial direction. The through hole has a size which allows the first pin to move in a longitudinal direction of the rod. The first pin is in contact with one edge of the through hole. A gap is formed between another edge of the through hole and another end surface of the rod. A second pin in parallel to the first pin can be fitted into the gap.

Abstract: The power equipment such as a lawn mower (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (100) having a plurality of cylinders, an engine control unit (110) for selectively deactivating at least one of the cylinders, a work implement such as a cutting blade (70) connected to the engine in a power transmitting relationship, a clutch (80) provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the work implement, and a central control unit (50) for controlling an operation of a propelling device, the clutch and the engine control unit. The central control unit is configured to operate the engine at a prescribed rotational speed with two or more of the cylinders kept activated when the clutch is engaged and the propelling device is propelling the power equipment forward, and to deactivate at least one of the cylinders when an opening of a throttle valve is below a first prescribed value for a prescribed time period.

Abstract: The lawn mower (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (100) having a plurality of cylinders, an engine control unit (110) for selectively deactivating at least one of the cylinders, a cutting blade (70) supported by a lawn mower main body via a cutter deck, and connected to the engine in a power transmitting relationship, a clutch (80) provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the cutting blade, a height adjustment mechanism (90) provided on the cutter deck for adjusting the height of the cutting blade, and a central control unit (50) for controlling an operation of the height adjusting mechanism, the clutch and the engine control unit. The central control unit is configured to cause the engine control unit to deactivate at least one of the cylinders when a prescribed operating condition is met, and to raise the cutting blade to a prescribed elevated height before deactivating the at least one of the cylinders.

Abstract: The power equipment such as a lawn mower (10) comprises an internal combustion engine (100) having a plurality of cylinders, an engine control unit (110) for selectively deactivating at least one of the cylinders, a work implement such as a cutting blade (70) connected to the engine in a power transmitting relationship, a clutch (80) provided in a power transmission path between the engine and the work implement, and a central control unit (50) for controlling an operation of a propelling device, the clutch and the engine control unit. The central control unit is configured to start the engine with two or more of the cylinders activated, to cause the engine control unit to operate the engine at a prescribed rotational speed, and to cause the engine control unit to deactivate at least one of the cylinders when the engine has reached a stable state at the prescribed rotational speed.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for a general purpose engine includes a carburetor provided in an air intake line extending from an air cleaner to the general purpose engine, a pressure reduction connection channel connected to a float chamber of the carburetor and the air cleaner, a control valve provided in the pressure reduction connection channel, a pressure reduction pump provided in the pressure reduction connection channel and sucking the float chamber to reduce the pressure therein, an air fuel ratio sensor detecting the air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas discharged from the general purpose engine, and a control unit controlling the opening degree of the control valve based on a detection signal of the air fuel ratio sensor.

Abstract: A diaphragm type fuel pump includes a rod, one end of which is coupled to a diaphragm, a plunger which is slidably fitted with respect to the other end of the rod, and a plunger biasing member which biases the plunger toward the other end of the rod. The other end of the rod has a first pin extending outward radially. A through hole extends through the plunger in a radial direction. The through hole has a size which allows the first pin to move in a longitudinal direction of the rod. The first pin is in contact with one edge of the through hole. A gap is formed between another edge of the through hole and another end surface of the rod. A second pin in parallel to the first pin can be fitted into the gap.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift lever used to change a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of an internal combustion engine to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, it is configured to detect a throttle opening of the engine; detect a speed of the engine; calculate a change amount of the detected engine speed; and conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the engine based on the detected throttle opening, the detected engine speed and the calculated engine speed change amount.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of an outboard motor having a shift lever used to change a shift position between an in-gear position that enables driving force of an internal combustion engine to be transmitted to a propeller by engaging a clutch with one of a forward gear and a reverse gear and a neutral position that cuts off transmission of the driving force by disengaging the clutch from the forward or reverse gear, it is configured to detect a throttle opening of the engine; detect a speed of the engine; calculate a change amount of the detected engine speed; and conduct driving force decreasing control to decrease the driving force of the engine based on the detected throttle opening, the detected engine speed and the calculated engine speed change amount.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel supply device, which is possible to prevent undesired water entered into a fuel path from remaining therein with a simple arrangement. A fuel supply pipe for supplying fuel to each of the fuel injection valves of an engine disposed with a plurality of cylinders in a vertical direction includes a fuel path in longitudinal direction, a smaller diameter portion formed perpendicular to the fuel path and continuous with a fuel injection valve mounting hole, and a cap attached to a lower end of the fuel path. The cap is arranged so that the upper end of its protruding portion is positioned at the same or nearly same level as that in height of the smaller diameter portion. Thus, the water entered in the fuel supply pipe is exhausted through the smaller diameter portion without delay.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel supply device, which is possible to prevent undesired water entered into a fuel path from remaining therein with a simple arrangement. A fuel supply pipe for supplying fuel to each of the fuel injection valves of an engine disposed with a plurality of cylinders in a vertical direction includes a fuel path in longitudinal direction, a smaller diameter portion formed perpendicular to the fuel path and continuous with a fuel injection valve mounting hole, and a cap attached to a lower end of the fuel path. The cap is arranged so that the upper end of its protruding portion is positioned at the same or nearly same level as that in height of the smaller diameter portion. Thus, the water entered in the fuel supply pipe is exhausted through the smaller diameter portion without delay.

Abstract: In an air/fuel ratio control system for an outboard motor engine, a learned correction coefficient KTIMn used in open-loop control for correcting a basic fuel injection amount to be supplied to the engine, is updated only when the manifold absolute pressure PBA (indicative of engine load) is within a predetermined range relative to the engine speed NE concerned. As a result, the air/fuel ratio can be accurately controlled to one other than the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, even when an O2 sensor that produces an output whose property only changes near the stoichiometeic air/fuel ratio is used.