Abstract: In an engine speed control system for an outboard motor having a throttle valve that regulates air to be sucked and an actuator connected to the throttle valve to move it in an opening direction or in a closing direction, the actuator is driven to move the throttle valve in the closing direction such that the engine speed drops, if it is discriminated that a detected engine speed exceeds a predetermined speed (set to a speed at which the engine can assumably continue to run until the boat has returned to port), when a trouble has occurred in the engine. Thus, the system can lower the engine speed so as to allow the boat to return to port, without causing the engine to vibrate, when a trouble has occurred in the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor operating system, includes a shared switch for inputting operation instructions to either a steering (hydraulic) cylinder for steering an outboard motor or a PTT unit for regulating the tilt/trim angles of the outboard motor. The system also includes a first group of signal lines connected to the steering cylinder, a second group of signal lines connected to the PTT unit, and a third group of signal lines connected to the shared switch. The operating system also includes a selector switch for connecting either the first or second group of signal lines to the third group of signal lines. Thus, a shared operating system is provided for inputting operation instructions to the steering cylinder and PTT unit, and the destination of the instructions is made selectable, enabling a reduction in the number of components and a reduction in the amount of space needed for installing the operating system on the boat.

Abstract: In an engine speed control system for an outboard motor, overrev prevention control is implemented which determines whether the engine overrevs by comparing the detected engine speed and a desired speed and responds to a determination that the engine overrevs (in which case the cause of the engine speed increase is probably reduced load caused by sucking in of air and/or exhaust gas by the propeller) by driving an electric throttle motor in the direction of reducing the throttle opening, thereby lowering the engine speed to the desired speed. Owing to this configuration, the problem of decline in thrust owing to intake of air and/or exhaust gas by the propeller can be quickly overcome irrespective of operator skill, thereby improving power performance and steerability.

Abstract: In an outboard motor control system equipped with an electric throttle motor for moving the throttle valve of the engine mounted on the outboard motor, an electric shift motor for operating the shift mechanism to establish one from the in-gear, neutral and reverse shift positions, and a low-speed cruising switch for inputting the instruction to implement a low-speed cruising for causing the boat to cruise at a low speed, when the instruction is inputted, a throttle control is effected by controlling the operation of the motor to a set throttle opening and shift control is effected by controlling the operation of the motor to establish the in-gear position and neutral position alternatively, thereby enabling to cruise over a wide range of speeds including very slow, without requiring troublesome manual operations.

Abstract: An outboard motor operating system, includes a shared switch for inputting operation instructions to either a steering (hydraulic) cylinder for steering an outboard motor or a PTT unit for regulating the tilt/trim angles of the outboard motor. The system also includes a first group of signal lines connected to the steering cylinder, a second group of signal lines connected to the PTT unit, and a third group of signal lines connected to the shared switch. The operating system also includes a selector switch for connecting either the first or second group of signal lines to the third group of signal lines. Thus, a shared operating system is provided for inputting operation instructions to the steering cylinder and PTT unit, and the destination of the instructions is made selectable, enabling a reduction in the number of components and a reduction in the amount of space needed for installing the operating system on the boat.

Abstract: An outboard motor engine speed control system includes two outboard motors, sensors which detect a travel speed of the boat and the engine speeds of the outboard motors, and a controller which controls the engine speeds of the outboard motors to be synchronized with a highest one of the detected engine speeds when the boat travel speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, while controlling the engine speeds of the outboard motors to be synchronized with a lowest one of the detected engine speeds when the boat travel speed is lower the predetermined value. The operations involved in engine speed control of the outboard motors mounted on the boat are thereby simplified and the feel of operation is enhanced.

Abstract: In a boat having a seat, a steering wheel, and an outboard motor, an outboard motor steering system is provided, where the steering wheel is installed near the seat a steering angle sensor installed near the steering wheel for outputting a signal indicative of a steering angle of the steering wheel. The steering system also includes a swivel shaft connected to a propeller to turn the propeller relative to the boat, and an electric motor connected to the swivel shaft for rotating the swivel shaft in response to the detected steering angle. The steering system also includes a manipulation load regulation mechanism, such as a hydraulic damper, to produce an added load for increasing a manipulation load of the steering wheel, thereby enabling reduced operator load by using the electric motor to steer the outboard motor, while improving the operator's feel of steering wheel manipulation.

Abstract: An outboard motor steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller with a rudder at its lower portion that is powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat, having a swivel shaft connected to the propeller to turn the propeller relative to the boat and housed in a swivel case, a hydraulic actuator such as a double-acting cylinder connected to the swivel shaft to rotate the swivel shaft, a hydraulic pressure supplier connected to the hydraulic actuator to supply hydraulic pressure, and a controller that controls supply of the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator in response to a steering signal inputted by an operator such that the outboard motor is steered relative to the boat. In the system, the hydraulic actuator and the hydraulic pressure supplier are housed in the swivel case.

Abstract: In an engine starting system for an outboard motor mounted having a propeller and a steering mechanism driven by an electric motor, including a battery connected to the engine; a starter motor and an ignition switch provided in a voltage supply circuit from the battery to the starter motor, the positions of the ignition switch is arranged to have a START position at which the starter motor, the electric motor and other electric loads are supplied with the voltage from the battery; an ON position at which the voltage supply to the starter motor is discontinued when the key is turned from the START position, a first OFF position at which the voltage supply to the electric motor and the other electric loads is discontinued when the key is turned from the ON position, and a second OFF position at which the current supply to the electric actuator is still continued when the key is turned from the ON position.

Abstract: In a shift mechanism for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine and a propeller connected by a propeller shaft to the engine to propel the boat, a vertical shaft connected to the engine and transmitting an output of the engine to the propeller shaft is divided into two shaft halves and an electromagnetic clutch is provided to connect/disconnect the shaft halves. An electronic controller is provided to operate the electromagnetic clutch to disconnect the vertical shaft halves until one of the forward and reverse gears corresponding to the instruction to shift has been engaged with the propeller shaft, and then operate it to connect the shaft halves after the one of the forward gear and the reverse gear has been engaged with the propeller shaft.

Abstract: An outboard motor steering system wherein an electric motor is installed inside the outboard motor and the output of the electric motor rotates a swivel shaft to steer the propeller, thereby enhancing steering feel by using an electric motor to enable highly responsive and accurate control. In addition, the configuration is simple and does not lead to an increase in number of components or weight. In another steering system wherein a first hydraulic cylinder for driving a steering system and second hydraulic cylinders for driving a power tilt-trim system are supplied hydraulic oil from the same pump, thereby making a dedicated hydraulic pump for the steering system unnecessary and thus enabling reduction of system size and weight. In still another steering system wherein the outboard motor main unit is swiveled to turn the propeller by extension/contraction of the hydraulic cylinder whose one end is attached to the outboard motor main unit and other end is attached to the boat side of the outboard motor.

Abstract: In An outboard motor mounted on a stem of a boat and having an internal combustion engine, a throttle body (that accommodates the throttle valve) is installed at a position close to the boat, and an electric motor is fastened to the throttle body so as to drive the throttle valve to open or close through a simple gear mechanism. This arrangement can mitigate operation load and offer improved operation feel. Further, it is simpler than a cable or a link mechanism, does not lead to an increase in number of components or weight, and hence the amount of required installation space can be reduced. A knob is provided and the operator can pinch and rotate it to open the throttle valve manually, when the electric motor breaks down.

Abstract: In an outboard motor steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller with a rudder at its lower portion powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat, a controller is connected to an actuator to rotate the outboard motor relative to the boat, and controls the actuator in such a manner that steered angle of the outboard motor relative to a steering angle inputted through a steering wheel becomes a predetermined ratio that is changed such that the steered angle of the outboard motor relative to the steering angle decreases with increasing moving speed of the boat.

Abstract: In an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller at its lower portion that is powered by the engine to propel the boat, and having a shift mechanism comprising a clutch installed in the outboard motor to be engaged from with a forward gear that causes the boat to be propelled in a forward direction or a reverse gear that causes the boat to be propelled in a reverse direction, a shift rod movably installed in the outboard motor, and a shift slider connected to the shift rod to slide to a position at which the clutch is engaged with the forward gear or a position at which the clutch is engaged with the reverse gear, an actuator such as an electric motor is installed in the outboard motor to move the shift rod.

Abstract: In a shift mechanism for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine and a propeller connected by a propeller shaft to the engine to propel the boat, a vertical shaft connected to the engine and transmitting an output of the engine to the propeller shaft is divided into two shaft halves and an electromagnetic clutch is provided to connect/disconnect the shaft halves. An electronic controller is provided to operate the electromagnetic clutch to disconnect the vertical shaft halves until one of the forward and reverse gears corresponding to the instruction to shift has been engaged with the propeller shaft, and then operate it to connect the shaft halves after the one of the forward gear and the reverse gear has been engaged with the propeller shaft.

Abstract: In an outboard motor steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller with a rudder at its lower portion powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat, a controller is connected to an actuator to rotate the outboard motor relative to the boat, and controls the actuator in such a manner that steered angle of the outboard motor relative to a steering angle inputted through a steering wheel becomes a predetermined ratio that is changed such that the steered angle of the outboard motor relative to the steering angle decreases with increasing moving speed of the boat.

Abstract: An outboard motor steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller with a rudder at its lower portion that is powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat, having a swivel shaft connected to the propeller to turn the propeller relative to the boat and housed in a swivel case, a hydraulic actuator such as a double-acting cylinder connected to the swivel shaft to rotate the swivel shaft, a hydraulic pressure supplier connected to the hydraulic actuator to supply hydraulic pressure, and a controller that controls supply of the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator in response to a steering signal inputted by an operator such that the outboard motor is steered relative to the boat. In the system, the hydraulic actuator and the hydraulic pressure supplier are housed in the swivel case.

Abstract: In an engine starting system for an outboard motor mounted having a propeller and a steering mechanism driven by an electric motor, including a battery connected to the engine; a starter motor and an ignition switch provided in a voltage supply circuit from the battery to the starter motor, the positions of the ignition switch is arranged to have a START position at which the starter motor, the electric motor and other electric loads are supplied with the voltage from the battery; an ON position at which the voltage supply to the starter motor is discontinued when the key is turned from the START position, a first OFF position at which the voltage supply to the electric motor and the other electric loads is discontinued when the key is turned from the ON position, and a second OFF position at which the current supply to the electric actuator is still continued when the key is turned from the ON position.

Abstract: In an engine speed control system for an outboard motor having a throttle valve that regulates air to be sucked and an actuator connected to the throttle valve to move it in an opening direction or in a closing direction, the actuator is driven to move the throttle valve in the closing direction such that the engine speed drops, if it is discriminated that a detected engine speed exceeds a predetermined speed (set to a speed at which the engine can assumably continue to run until the boat has returned to port), when a trouble has occurred in the engine. Thus, the system can lower the engine speed so as to allow the boat to return to port, without causing the engine to vibrate, when a trouble has occurred in the engine.

Abstract: An outboard motor steering system wherein an electric motor is installed inside the outboard motor and the output of the electric motor rotates a swivel shaft to steer the propeller, thereby enhancing steering feel by using an electric motor to enable highly responsive and accurate control. In addition, the configuration is simple and does not lead to an increase in number of components or weight. In another steering system wherein a first hydraulic cylinder for driving a steering system and second hydraulic cylinders for driving a power tilt-trim system are supplied hydraulic oil from the same pump, thereby making a dedicated hydraulic pump for the steering system unnecessary and thus enabling reduction of system size and weight. In still another steering system wherein the outboard motor main unit is swiveled to turn the propeller by extension/contraction of the hydraulic cylinder whose one end is attached to the outboard motor main unit and other end is attached to the boat side of the outboard motor.