Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion system includes first and second propulsion devices arranged to be mounted on a hull so as to enable a steering angle to change, a first operation lever arranged to be operated by a marine vessel maneuvering operator to control the first propulsion device to have a shift state selected from among a forward drive state, a neutral state, and a reverse drive state and to control a power output of the first propulsion device, a second operation lever arranged to be operated by the marine vessel maneuvering operator to control the second propulsion device to have a shift state selected from among a forward drive state, a neutral state, and a reverse drive state and to control a power output of the second propulsion device, a first lever position sensor arranged to detect a position of the first operation lever, a second lever position sensor arranged to detect a position of the second operation lever, and a control unit.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a propulsion device includes a swivel portion, a motor, a lock portion, and a lock release mechanism. The motor is arranged to generate a driving force to turn the propulsion device main body in right and left directions. The lock portion is provided in a transmission path of the driving force. The lock portion is arranged to transmit a force from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof and to be locked when a force is applied from the downstream side to thereby prevent a turning of the propulsion device main body in the right and left directions. The lock release mechanism is provided in the transmission path at the downstream side relative to the lock portion. The lock release mechanism is arranged to shut off or stop a transmission of force to the upstream side thereof to thereby prevent application of the force to the lock portion.

Abstract: A propulsion device includes a propulsion device main body, an attachment mechanism, and a steering mechanism. The attachment mechanism is arranged to attach the propulsion device main body to a hull such that the propulsion device main body turns right and left with respect to the hull about a swivel shaft. Further, the attachment mechanism is arranged to attach the propulsion device main body to the hull such that the propulsion device main body turns up and down with respect to the hull about a tilt shaft. The steering mechanism includes a motor and a transmitting mechanism. The transmitting mechanism is arranged to transmit a driving force of the motor to the propulsion device main body to turn the propulsion device main body to the right or the left. The attachment mechanism includes a housing space in which the motor and the transmitting mechanism are housed.

Abstract: A boat that allows effective steering even when the motor output power is decreased due to the low battery charge includes a first predictive determination unit arranged to compare an actual charge amount of a battery supplying an electric power to a steering motor or a predicted charge amount of the battery calculated from a predicted working current with a threshold predetermined in relation to running states; a steering load detector arranged to calculate a required output value of a steering motor necessary to steer an outboard motor while the boat is under way; and a steering load controller arranged to control the required output value to be decreased from the present output value when the first predictive determination unit determines that the threshold is larger than the battery charge amount.

Abstract: A boat includes a steering load detector arranged to calculate an output value of a steering motor necessary for steering an outboard motor in a traveling state, a motor output detector arranged to detect a possible output value that can be output by the steering motor, a prediction determination unit arranged to compare the necessary output value from the steering load detector with the possible output value from the motor output detector, and an electric power load control unit arranged to perform a control operation so as to increase a battery charge amount and/or to reduce the electric power load when the necessary output value is determined to be larger than the possible output value. As a result, the boat that can effectively perform steering when a motor output becomes small as a result of a reduced battery charge amount.

Abstract: A boat steering system provides an operator with excellent efficiency and an excellent operation feel during direction guide member deflection by considering and making adjustments based on a running status of the boat. An ECU controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit. The ECU includes and/or communicates with detectors and the like for detecting one or more of an operation status corresponding to a steering wheel operation, a running status of the boat, recognizing a status of an outboard motor, and detecting a status of an electric motor that rotates an outboard motor. The ECU also controls a direction guide member deflection angle limit based on one or more of the detection values.

Abstract: A boat has a propulsion unit and a steering system. The steering system includes a steering device actuated by an electric actuator. A steering wheel operated by an operator is electrically connected to the actuator. Detectors collect data regarding one or more of operation status of the steering wheel, running status of the boat, status of the propulsion unit(s), status of the electric actuator, and the like. Based upon such collected data, a current for powering the electric actuator may be selectively increased to provide increased torque to ensure excellent steering response even in changing.

Abstract: A small boat has multiple propulsion units. A toe angle of the multiple propulsion units can be altered while the boat is under way. The toe angle can be adjusted to improve performance in any of a number of areas, including top speed, acceleration, fuel economy, and maneuverability, at the demand of the operator.

Abstract: A steering device can include a steering wheel, connecting members for connecting outboard motors together, and a plurality of steering motors for steering a plurality of outboard motors. A target steering angle setting device can be configured to obtain a steering angle according to a steering displacement of the steering wheel, and steering unit angle sensor can be configured to detect actual steering unit angles of the respective outboard motors. A correcting device can be configured to obtain the difference between actual steering unit angles of the outboard motors, to correct the target steering angles based on the difference, and to obtain a target steering angle of each of the outboard motors. Motor controlling device can be configured to control the steering motors so that a target steering angle agrees with the actual steering unit angle for each of the outboard motors.

Abstract: A substrate for mounting optical semiconductor elements is provided, including a base substrate having an insulating layer and a plurality of wiring circuits formed on the upper face of the insulating layer, and having at least one external connection terminal formation opening portion which penetrates the insulating layer and reaches the wiring circuits; and an optical reflection member, which is provided on the upper face of the base substrate, and which forms at least one depressed portion serving as an area for mounting an optical semiconductor element.

Abstract: A swivel bracket of an outboard motor pivots about an axis of a tilt shaft disposed at a front end of the bracket unit and extending horizontally in a vertical plane to adjust a tilt angle and a trim angle of the outboard motor. A steering system for the outboard motor includes a pivotal gear attached to the swivel shaft, a drive mechanism driving the pivotal gear, and an electric motor providing drive force to the drive mechanism. Preferably these steering system components are positioned between the swivel bracket and an engine cowling of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A watercraft includes an operating method in which a present steering wheel rotational angle is detected, and a steering wheel rotational angle variation is calculated by subtracting a steering wheel rotational angle in a preceding control period from the steering wheel rotational angle. Next, a steering angle ratio is set. A target steering angle variation is calculated by multiplying the steering wheel rotational angle variation by the steering angle ratio. Finally, a target steering angle in a present period is calculated by adding the target steering angle variation to a target steering angle in a preceding control period. A steering device is steered based on the target steering angle.

Abstract: An electric steering device includes a steering retaining device arranged to retain a steering angle against an external steering force applied from outside of a watercraft to an outboard motor main body. A reverse input shutoff clutch, for example, is preferably used as the steering retaining device. A steering retaining state in which a steering angle of the outboard motor main body is retained can be detected from a steering condition of the outboard motor main body, and a control is made to stop electric power from being supplied to an electric motor steering the outboard motor main body. Accordingly, the steering retaining device retains a steering angle while steering is retained, and thus the electric power supply to the electric motor can be stopped, which allows electric power to be saved. The steering retaining device provides an electric steering device for a watercraft in which no electric power is required when applying a steering retaining force for retaining a counter-steering state.

Abstract: An outboard motor is provided on a hull and a steering system is connected electrically to the outboard motor and adapted to steer the hull by rotating the outboard motor. Steering motors are provided to the outboard motor. A control unit has a motor selector for choosing which of the steering motors is used to steer the outboard motor. The control unit stores motor characteristic data about the steering motors and correction data based on factors that change characteristics of the steering motors. The motor selector compares a detection signal of a steering torque detector of a boat with the motor characteristic data and the correction data in order to select at least one of the steering motors to be operated.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a plurality of watercraft operating devices arranged to adjust an amount and/or a direction of a propulsive force or a resistance provided to a prescribed position of the watercraft, operation devices arranged to operate the plurality of watercraft operating devices, actuators arranged to actuate the respective watercraft operating devices, and a control unit arranged to control an operation amount of each of the actuators based on an operational state of the operation devices.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a plurality of outboard motors. Each of the outboard motors has a generator and a rudder deflecting system driven by an electric motor. The outboard motors are turned by the rudder deflecting systems thereby steering the watercraft. Electric power can be supplied from the generators of others of the plurality of outboard motors to the rudder deflecting system of an arbitrary outboard motor among the plurality of the outboard motors. Using this arrangement it is possible to provide a watercraft in which electric power for operation is stably supplied to the rudder deflecting system without increasing the size of the generators.

Abstract: An action control device for a small boat can include a running condition detecting device, a running environment determining device configured to determine a running environment based upon the running condition, and a steering control device configured to set a steering handle operative characteristic in response to the running environment.

Abstract: A steering method for a boat with a marine propulsion unit at the stern is provided in which a reaction torque is applied to a steering wheel in response to external force to the boat. The steering method includes: detecting a steering angle and the behavior of the boat; determining whether or not the turning of the steering wheel is in an initial phase based on the detected steering angle and the behavior of the boat; and applying the reaction torque to the steering wheel in response to the determination.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling multiple propulsion units can include plural propulsion units mounted at the stern of the boat to generate thrust. A control unit can be used to control the driving of each propulsion unit, and a target speed setting device can be used to establish a target speed of the boat, in which the control unit controls the driving of each propulsion unit according to the preset driving pattern to attain the target speed.

Abstract: A small boat comprises a steering wheel and a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel. A plurality of propulsion units are mounted to a transom of the boat. Electrically operable steering devices are coupled with the respective propulsion units. A control unit controls an output of each of the propulsion units. The controller adjusts the output, a trim angle or a height of a propeller of the propulsion units in accordance with the steering angle and a running condition of the boat to control a total thrust and a total running direction of the respective propulsion units.