Abstract: A failure prediction system having small boats operable by operators, each mounted with an outboard motor equipped with an engine and an Electronic Control Unit and a computer located in a land office connected to the ECU. The ECU acquires boat ID assigned to one small boat on which one operator boards and his personal ID, accesses the computer to acquire past manipulation data of the acquired personal ID for all boats, acquires manipulation data of the one operator during current run, merge the data with past data to generate merged data. Then, it select a parameter in the generated data and set a normal value range by the parameter, assesses whether parameter in the data during current run is within the range, and determines the outboard motor mounted on the one boat is in failure when the parameter is out of the range.

Abstract: A navigation assist system having a plurality of navigation assist apparatuses installed on small boats like motorboats each fitted with an outboard motor to be able to navigate in a predetermined water area, and a server placed on land to communicate with the navigation assist apparatuses. Each of the navigation assist apparatuses detects a sharp turn position of the boat, adds the position to a danger level data downloaded from the server unit, and alerts an operator concerned when the boat approaches a region whose danger level is great.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a general purpose engine having a choke valve, a choke valve opening/closing mechanism, a choke valve opening regulating mechanism, a heater and a heater connection terminal, it is configured to detect temperature of the general purpose engine, to determine whether the heater is connected to the heater connection terminal, and to control operation of the choke valve opening/closing mechanism based on the detected temperature to open/close the choke valve when it is determined that the heater is connected to the heater connection terminal, while informing a user to manually open/close the choke valve by a manual opening/closing mechanism when it is determined that the heater is not connected to the heater connection terminal.

Abstract: In the ignition device for the battery-less engine, a transistor-type ignition control circuit of the engine including a manual starting device is actuated by using output of the generator driven by the engine, and a primary winding of an ignition coil is powered from the ignition control circuit. In the ignition control circuit, a primary powering time period for powering the primary winding from the ignition control circuit is set shorter than a predetermined time period while an engine speed of the engine is within a low engine speed range below a predetermined engine speed, whereas the primary powering time period is set equal to or longer than the predetermined time period while the engine speed of the engine is within a high engine speed range at and above the predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a general purpose engine having a choke valve, a choke valve opening/closing mechanism, a choke valve opening regulating mechanism, a heater and a heater connection terminal, it is configured to detect temperature of the general purpose engine, to determine whether the heater is connected to the heater connection terminal, and to control operation of the choke valve opening/closing mechanism based on the detected temperature to open/close the choke valve when it is determined that the heater is connected to the heater connection terminal, while informing a user to manually open/close the choke valve by a manual opening/closing mechanism when it is determined that the heater is not connected to the heater connection terminal.

Abstract: The engine control apparatus includes a governor control mechanism for keeping the engine frequency constant, decides the “presence” or “absence” of the engine load by the throttle aperture and forcibly changes the engine frequency to a predetermined frequency depending on the presence or absence of the load, the engine control apparatus includes an engine controlling unit (10) for controlling fuel supply to an engine (1), an engine temperature detecting unit (4) for detecting an engine temperature of the engine (1), and a threshold changing unit (10a) for changing each throttle aperture as a threshold for deciding the “presence” or “absence” of an engine load depending on the engine temperature detected by the engine temperature detecting unit (4).

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling ignition of a general-purpose internal combustion engine in which an ignition signal is produced both in a compression stroke and in an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle, one of the ignitions to be conducted based on the produced two ignition signals is cut and an after-ignition-cut engine speed is detected. Then it is discriminated whether each of the two ignition signals was produced in the compression stroke or in the exhaust stroke based on a difference between an average engine speed and the after-ignition-cut engine speed, and the ignition is controlled based on the ignition signal discriminated to be produced in the compression stroke in the two ignition signals, thereby enabling to improve the duration life of an ignition plug, with simple and compact structure.

Abstract: A fuel cock-integrated engine switch is provided that reduces wear resulting from mechanical contact and that can thereby enhance durability. A magnet 14 is provided in a lever 11 that is pivoted turnably between an ON position and an OFF position. A reed switch 12 connected to an ignition device 17 is arranged in the ON position. A shutoff valve 2 of a fuel passage is arranged in the OFF position of the lever 11. In the OFF position, the magnet 14 of the lever 11 approaches a valve 3 formed with a magnetic member, and the member 3 is shifted upward within the case 4 to shut off the fuel passage. When the lever 11 is operated to shift to the ON position, the valve 3 is shifted downward within the case 4 or receives a force applied by a spring to open the fuel passage.

Abstract: In the ignition device for the battery-less engine, a transistor-type ignition control circuit of the engine including a manual starting device is actuated by using output of the generator driven by the engine, and a primary winding of an ignition coil is powered from the ignition control circuit. In the ignition control circuit, a primary powering time period for powering the primary winding from the ignition control circuit is set shorter than a predetermined time period while an engine speed of the engine is within a low engine speed range below a predetermined engine speed, whereas the primary powering time period is set equal to or longer than the predetermined time period while the engine speed of the engine is within a high engine speed range at and above the predetermined engine speed.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a carburetor, includes: a transmission device linked to a valve; an electric actuator for driving the valve; and an electronic control unit for controlling operation of the electric actuator, the electric actuator being disposed between the transmission device and the electronic control unit, The transmission device, the electric actuator and the electronic control unit are housed and held in a casing mounted on the carburetor. A ventilation apparatus which places an interior of the casing in communication with an outside atmosphere relative to the carburetor is connected to the casing.

Abstract: A fuel cock-integrated engine switch is provided that reduces wear resulting from mechanical contact and that can thereby enhance durability. A magnet 14 is provided in a lever 11 that is pivoted turnably between an ON position and an OFF position. A reed switch 12 connected to an ignition device 17 is arranged in the ON position. A shutoff valve 2 of a fuel passage is arranged in the OFF position of the lever 11. In the OFF position, the magnet 14 of the lever 11 approaches a valve 3 formed with a magnetic member, and the member 3 is shifted upward within the case 4 to shut off the fuel passage. When the lever 11 is operated to shift to the ON position, the valve 3 is shifted downward within the case 4 or receives a force applied by a spring to open the fuel passage.

Abstract: The engine control apparatus includes a governor control mechanism for keeping the engine frequency constant, decides the “presence” or “absence” of the engine load by the throttle aperture and forcibly changes the engine frequency to a predetermined frequency depending on the presence or absence of the load, the engine control apparatus includes an engine controlling unit (10) for controlling fuel supply to an engine (1), an engine temperature detecting unit (4) for detecting an engine temperature of the engine (1), and a threshold changing unit (10a) for changing each throttle aperture as a threshold for deciding the “presence” or “absence” of an engine load depending on the engine temperature detected by the engine temperature detecting unit (4).

Abstract: In a protective structure for a circuit board (1) that includes a casing (3) for receiving the circuit board, the casing is provided with a recess (11) for receiving a large component part protruding from the circuit board therein, and potting material (6) is filled in a space defined between the large component part and a surrounding wall of the recess. Typically, the potting material is filled in a gap between the large component part and the surrounding wall of the recess without substantially extending out of the recess. Because the large component part is not only supported by the circuit board but also by the casing via the cured potting material, the stress acting on a connection part that connects the large component part to the circuit board is minimized, and this enhances the mechanical integrity of the circuit board assembly.

Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a printed wiring board (50), electronic components (51 to 53) mounted on the printed wiring board (50), and a synthetic resin coating (57) formed by injection molding to cover the printed wiring board (50) and the electronic component (51 to 53). The electronic components (51 to 53) are housed in a protective case (75) that can resist pressure and heat during the injection molding of the coating (57). Thus, in the electronic control unit, an electronic component is not damaged by formation of a coating by injection molding so that the electronic control unit can always function normally.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling ignition of a general-purpose internal combustion engine in which an ignition signal is produced both in a compression stroke and in an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle, one of the ignitions to be conducted based on the produced two ignition signals is cut and an after-ignition-cut engine speed is detected. Then it is discriminated whether each of the two ignition signals was produced in the compression stroke or in the exhaust stroke based on a difference between an average engine speed and the after-ignition-cut engine speed, and the ignition is controlled based on the ignition signal discriminated to be produced in the compression stroke in the two ignition signals, thereby enabling to improve the duration life of an ignition plug, with simple and compact structure.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a carburetor, includes: a transmission device (24, 25) linked to a valve (7, 8); an electric actuator (20, 21) for driving the valve (7, 8); and an electronic control unit (12a) for controlling operation of the electric actuator (20, 21). The transmission device (24, 25), the electric actuator (20, 21) and the electronic control unit (12a) are housed and held in a casing (10) mounted on the carburetor (C). The ventilation means (72, 74, 74?, 89, 90) for causing an interior of the casing (10) to communicate with the outside is connected to the casing (10). Therefore, it is possible to house the transmission device, the electric actuator and the electronic control unit efficiently in a common casing so as to downsize the electronic control system for a carburetor, and improve durability of the electronic control unit and the electric actuator.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for a general purpose internal combustion engine is equipped with a sub-fuel tank that retains gasoline fuel supplied from a main fuel tank and houses the high-pressure pump in its interior. In other words, the pump is immersed in the gasoline fuel retained in the tank, so that if an air pocket should occur in the fuel supply pipe between the main fuel tank and pump, the air will be discharged from the sub-fuel tank to the exterior through a fuel return pipe etc., thereby ensuring that the pump does not suck in air. Since fuel injectors can therefore inject gasoline fuel immediately, starting performance is enhanced.

Abstract: Oil level detecting switch, which detects an amount of lubricant oil stored in an oil pan, includes: a switch case having through-holes to permit entry and discharge of oil into and out of the switch case; a float of a spherical shape having smaller specific gravity than the oil and conductive outer surface and provided within the switch case for vertical movement in response to increase/decrease of the oil; and a plurality of fixed contacts provided on the bottom surface of the switch case such that the fixed contacts are placed in a conducting state by the float contacting the fixed contacts.

Abstract: Oil level detecting switch, which detects an amount of lubricant oil stored in an oil pan, includes: a switch case having through-holes to permit entry and discharge of oil into and out of the switch case; a float of a spherical shape having smaller specific gravity than the oil and conductive outer surface and provided within the switch case for vertical movement in response to increase/decrease of the oil; and a plurality of fixed contacts provided on the bottom surface of the switch case such that the fixed contacts are placed in a conducting state by the float contacting the fixed contacts.

Abstract: In a protective structure for a circuit board (1) that includes a casing (3) for receiving the circuit board, the casing is provided with a recess (11) for receiving a large component part protruding from the circuit board therein, and potting material (6) is filled in a space defined between the large component part and a surrounding wall of the recess. Typically, the potting material is filled in a gap between the large component part and the surrounding wall of the recess without substantially extending out of the recess. Because the large component part is not only supported by the circuit board but also by the casing via the cured potting material, the stress acting on a connection part that connects the large component part to the circuit board is minimized, and this enhances the mechanical integrity of the circuit board assembly.