Abstract: An outboard motor includes a power source, a boat propulsion section, a shift position switching mechanism, a clutch actuator, and a control device. The shift position switching mechanism switches among a first shift position in which a first clutch is engaged and a second clutch is disengaged, a second shift position in which the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged, and a neutral position in which both the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged. When a gear shift is to be made from the first shift position to the second shift position, the control section causes the clutch actuator to gradually increase an engagement force of the second clutch. The outboard motor reduces the load to be applied to the power source and the power transmission mechanism at the time of a gear shift in a boat propulsion system including an electronically controlled shift mechanism.

Abstract: A boat propulsion system includes a power source, a propulsion section, a shift position switching mechanism arranged to switch among a first shift position, a second shift position, and a neutral position, a gear ratio switching mechanism, an actuator, and a control section. When switching is to be performed from the neutral position to the first shift position and the high-speed gear ratio, the control section is arranged to cause the actuator to, maintain the low-speed gear ratio, switch to the first shift position, and then establish the high-speed gear ratio when the current gear ratio of the gear ratio switching mechanism is the low-speed gear ratio, and cause the actuator to establish the low-speed gear ratio before switching to the first shift position, switch to the first shift position, and then establish the high-speed gear ratio when the current gear ratio of the gear ratio switching mechanism is the high-speed gear ratio.

Abstract: A shift mechanism transmits rotation of a drive shaft of an engine to a propeller shaft by engaging a shift clutch with a forward gear or a reverse gear is provided. The shift clutch includes a dog clutch movably coupled to the propeller shaft in an axial direction and a synchro clutch movably coupled to the dog clutch in the axial direction. When the dog clutch is moved to the forward gear side or the reverse gear side to make a shift-in, an end surface of the synchro clutch is adapted to be frictionally engaged with an abutting surface provided on the forward gear or an abutting surface provided on the reverse gear before dog engagement between a pawl of the dog clutch and a pawl of the forward gear or a pawl of the reverse gear. Through this arrangement, it is possible to provide a shift mechanism of a boat propulsion unit provided with a synchronization mechanism that realizes a smooth shift-in.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes a transmission mechanism arranged to transmit a driving force generated by an engine to propellers with a speed thereof changed to a low speed reduction ratio and a high speed reduction ratio; a control lever section operated by a user in controlling drive of the engine; and a control portion and an ECU controlling a shift between reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism based on operation of the control lever section by the user. The control portion and the ECU control a shift between reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism based on a transmission control map providing a reference for a shift between reduction ratios of the transmission mechanism taking into consideration an engine speed of the engine and a lever opening of the control lever section. This arrangement provides a marine propulsion system in which both acceleration performance and maximum speed can approach levels that a user desires.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a throttle actuator adapted to control an amount of intake air supplied to an engine, and a shift mechanism that controls shift operation between a neutral and at least a forward gear. The throttle actuator includes a member that is adapted to interfere with the shift mechanism so as to prevent shift actuation when the throttle is opened beyond a predetermined setting. As such, shift operation is prevented at high throttle openings, but throttle operation is still enabled.

Abstract: An actuator for a marine transmission uses four cavities of preselected size in order to provide four potential forces resulting from pressurized hydraulic fluid within those cavities. The effective areas of surfaces acted upon by the hydraulic pressure are selected in order to provide increased force to move the actuator toward a neutral position from either a forward or reverse gear position. Also, the relative magnitudes of these effective areas are also selected to provide a quicker movement into gear than out of gear, given a similar differential magnitude of pressures within the cavities.

Abstract: A watercraft includes a remote control device disposed on a side of a hull for maneuvering the watercraft, and a plurality of outboard motors disposed on a side of a stern of the hull for generating thrust under control of the remote control device. A remote control body of the remote control device encloses a plurality of first remote control side ECUs for controlling the respective outboard motors. The respective first remote control side ECUs are connected to each other through an ECU communication line enclosed in the remote control body and the respective first remote control side ECUs communicate operational information.

Abstract: An engine electronic remote control system is provided that can include an engine electronic control unit for controlling an operating state of the engine and a remote controller having a control lever capable of transmitting a control signal to the engine electronic control unit to achieve a target operating state. The system can comprise an operating state determination subsystem, a shift actuator, a shift position detector, and a lever position detector. In an embodiment, the shift actuator can drive a shiftable component to a neutral when a main switch being switched on is switched off while the control lever is in a position other than a neutral position.

Abstract: A control device for plural propulsion units executes a control for synchronization of the engine rotational speed of a target propulsion unit with the engine rotational speed of a reference propulsion unit when one or more specified conditions are satisfied. Once synchronization control has been established, it is only cancelled if one of the specified conditions becomes no longer satisfied for a first prescribed duration or if another of the specified conditions becomes no longer satisfied for a second prescribed duration.

Abstract: A remote control system for a marine drive includes a change element that changes an operational condition of the marine drive. An actuator actuates the change element. An ECU controls the actuator. A remote controller is remotely placed from the ECU. The remote controller has a control lever. A mechanical cable has ends. One end is coupled with the control lever. A potentiometer outputs a command signal to the ECU. The potentiometer has an input lever. Another end of the mechanical cable is coupled with the input lever. The input lever moves along with the control lever when the control lever is operated. The potentiometer generates the command signal in accordance with a position of the input lever. The control device controls the actuator based upon the command signal.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine vertically supporting a crankshaft above an engine holder and a shift mechanism switching a rotational direction of a propeller shaft by actuating a shift apparatus through a remote control from a shift lever. The shift mechanism includes a first link mechanism connecting a shift cable extending from the shift lever and a clutch rod extending toward a shift rod, the first link mechanism being disposed in a space formed between a lower surface of the engine and an upper surface of the engine holder and also includes a second link mechanism connecting the clutch rod and the shift rod and disposed in a space between a drive shaft housing and a gear case of the outboard motor.

Abstract: An outboard motor adapted to be mounted on a stern of a boat and having a propeller to propel the boat, a power source which produces rotational output, a drive unit including a vertical shaft which transmits the rotational output of the power source to the propeller through a gear mechanism, and an interlock unit which detachably interlocks the power source to the drive unit. The changeable power source includes one of an internal combustion engine, an electric motor and a combination of the engine and the motor. The interlock unit interlocks one of the engine, the motor and the combination of the engine and the motor to the drive unit as the power source for propelling the boat, thereby enabling to freely change its power source as desired in accordance with a user's current needs and purposes.

Abstract: A shift system for outboard motors, which is reduced in size, and is capable securing compatibility with an outboard motor of a type for which the shift operation is manually performed using a shift cable. A motor-driven shift actuator is disposed at a location forward of and to the right of an engine within an engine cover covering the engine. A clutch motor is provided for the actuator and disposed at a location rearward thereof, with a motor output shaft disposed in a manner extending forward, and is operated in response to the detected vessel operator's shift. An actuator output shaft is disposed at a location forward of the clutch motor and extends downward from a front part of the actuator. The actuator output shaft rotates in accordance with rotation of the motor output shaft. A clutch shaft is disposed below the actuator and rearward of the actuator output shaft.

Abstract: A marine propulsion control system for controlling a set of propulsion units carried by a hull of a vessel, said marine propulsion control system including an input command regulator for generating a desired delivered thrust by the propulsion units in the set of propulsion units, a set of control units, wherein each control unit is associated with a separate propulsion unit in said set of propulsion units, wherein each control units is arranged to control the delivered thrust of the associated propulsion unit depending on input control signals received by the control unit and vessel including such a propulsion control unit.

Abstract: A remote control device can be provided in a watercraft equipped with at least three outboard motors for operating the outboard motors by remote control. The remote control device can have a pair of shift levers and can be provided with a detection device for detecting positions of the shift levers. A remote control-side ECU can control the outboard motors 11 by signals from the detection device. The remote control-side ECU can include a plurality of ECUs corresponding to the outboard motors. The detection device can include a plurality of detection devices for the outboard motors disposed on the sides of the stern of a hull and one for the outboard motor disposed between the side outboard motors. Each of the detection devices can be connected to a respective one of the remote control-side ECUs.

Abstract: A shift cutout control system is provided that can comprise a shift mechanism, an engine electronic control unit, a remote controller, and an ignition control means. The shift mechanism can switch a rotation of a propeller shaft into one of a neutral, forward, and reverse drive state. The propeller shaft can be driven by an output power of an engine. The engine electronic control unit can control a drive state of the engine. The remote controller can transmit a control signal to the engine electronic control unit to achieve a target drive state. The ignition control means can initiate an ignition cutout in the engine when an operating position signal from a lever position detector indicates that a control lever is in a neutral position and a shift position signal from a shift position detector indicates that a shift position is not in neutral.

Abstract: An engine in an outboard motor includes a first rotation angle sensing device arranged to sense a rotation angle of a crankshaft and second rotation angle sensing device arranged to sense a rotation angle of an exhaust camshaft. A reverse rotation determination section is arranged to determine an occurrence of a reverse rotation of the crankshaft based on of a rotation angle sensed by the first rotation angle sensing device and a rotation angle sensed by the second rotation angle sensing device. A gear mechanism operation section forceaby shifts a shift gear mechanism into a neutral state when a reverse rotation of the crankshaft is sensed by the reverse rotation determination section. Water is surely prevented from entering the internal combustion engine and can minimize an increase in the manufacturing cost and simplify the maintenance work of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A remote control operation unit can have a remote control shift lever through which a boat operator can remotely control a forward drive mode, a neutral mode, and a reverse drive mode. A boat propulsion unit can have a shift switching device for shifting and a shift actuator for operating the shift switching device. A controller can be used to control the operation of the shift actuator in response to the operation amount of the remote control shift lever. The controller can also be configured to control the shift actuator such that in the case where the remote control shift lever has been shifted between a neutral position and a forward position or reverse position, when an engine is stopped and when shifting is not completed within a certain period of time, the shift actuator stops shifting operation.

Abstract: A tiller handle assembly for an outboard motor is provided that comprises a steering handle having a generally hollow body. A throttle grip is attached to a front end of the steering handle, and a shift mechanism coupled to the steering handle. The shift mechanism includes an moveable operator that can be moved at least between two positions: one of the positions corresponding to a drive operational mode of the outboard motor and the other position corresponding to a neutral operational mode of the outboard motor. A sensor device is disposed within the hollow body of the steering handle and is configured to determine whether the movable operator is positioned in one of the two position. The location of the sensor device within the hollow body makes mounting and maintenance of the sensor device easier and generally isolates the sensor device from water.

Abstract: A system for controlling the steering of an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine to power a propeller, which includes an actuator which steers the outboard motor relative to the boat, a left steer stop which mechanically stops leftward steering of the outboard motor, a right steer stop which mechanically stops rightward steering of the outboard motor, a rudder angle sensor which produces an output indicating a rudder angle of the outboard motor; and a maximum rudder angle memorizer which memorizes the output of the rudder angle sensor as a maximum leftward rudder angle of the outboard motor when the outboard motor is mechanically stopped by the left steer stop, and memorizes the output of the rudder angle sensor as a maximum rightward rudder angle of the outboard motor when the outboard motor is mechanically stopped by the right steer stop.

Abstract: A forward and reverse drive switching device for an outboard motor can include a switching mechanism that is actuated so as to set a propeller to a forward drive mode or a reverse drive mode. An actuator can have an electric motor and can serve as a drive source for the switching mechanism. A coupling member can transmit a driving force from the actuator to the switching mechanism to actuate the switching mechanism. The coupling member can include a rod disposed on an axis of the electric motor and can have an end coupled to the switching mechanism with its other end coupled to the electric motor to permit retracting and extending movements of the rod along the axis through the operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes a drive shaft including a pinion gear arranged at one end of the drive shaft, a first driven gear engaged with the pinion gear, a second driven gear engaged with the pinion gear, a first propeller shaft connected to a second propeller, a second propeller shaft connected to a first propeller, and a shift change mechanism arranged to selectively engage the first driven gear with the second propeller shaft, and to selectively engage the second driven gear with the first propeller shaft and with the second propeller shaft.

Abstract: In an outboard motor shift control system to change the shift position by controlling the supply of current to an electric shift motor for driving a shift mechanism, a detent mechanism is equipped for constraining the operation of the shift mechanism and holding the shift position once the shift position has been established, and the supply of current to the shift motor is discontinued upon detection that the shift position has been established. This configuration makes it possible to minimize the power consumption of the shift motor and ensure secure holding of the established shift position.

Abstract: A watercraft is controllable by either a main station or a substation. A main-side remote control device is disposed in the main station. A sub-side remote control device is disposed in the substation. An outboard motor for generating propulsion force is controlled by the main-side remote control device or the sub-side remote control device. The sub-side remote control device is connected to the main-side remote control device by wiring, and the main-side remote control device is connected to the outboard motor by a network.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system that utilizes a transmission shift sequence to control shifting of the propulsion system transmission between forward and reverse gears. The marine propulsion system includes a controller that executes the transmission shift sequence using engine speed and transmission fluid pressure signals to determine the timing of various steps in the shift sequence. The controller is connected to a shift actuator for the transmission and to an engine speed throttle to thereby control transmission shifting and engine speed as a part of the transmission shift sequence. By monitoring engine speed and transmission fluid pressure, and by controlling transmission shifting and engine speed settings, the transmission shift sequence can provide the operator with the ability to carry out quick shifts that will neither stall the engine nor damage the transmission clutch.

Abstract: An outboard motor includes an engine vertically supporting a crankshaft above an engine holder and a shift mechanism switching a rotational direction of a propeller shaft by actuating a shift apparatus through a remote control from a shift lever. The shift mechanism includes a first link mechanism connecting a shift cable extending from the shift lever and a clutch rod extending toward a shift rod, the first link mechanism being disposed in a space formed between a lower surface of the engine and an upper surface of the engine holder and also includes a second link mechanism connecting the clutch rod and the shift rod and disposed in a space between a drive shaft housing and a gear case of the outboard motor.

Abstract: A watercraft propulsion system can be a hybrid type watercraft propulsion system including an engine and an electric motor both working as drive power sources for a propeller. When an operating lever instructs a speed reduction assist mode as a stopping mode, a controller can stop the engine and reverse the rotational direction of the electric motor to reversely rotate the propeller. The controller can determine whether the speed reduction assist mode is instructed or not based upon a mean movement speed of the operating lever and can control the electric motor based upon a speed of the watercraft. Alternatively, the controller can control the electric motor based upon instructions by the speed reduction assist lever.

Abstract: In an outboard motor control system, a position of a clutch (moved by an actuator) is memorized as a neutral position when a neutral switch produces an ON signal and the clutch position corresponding to a forward position where the clutch engages with a forward gear or a reverse position where the clutch engages with a reverse gear is determined based on the memorized position. With this, the clutch can be accurately shifted to the positions where the forward, neutral and reverse shift positions are established, thereby preventing shifting errors. Similarly, by memorizing rudder angle sensor outputs when the outboard motor is mechanically stopped by left and right steer stops as maximum leftward or rightward rudder angles, desired values for control purposes when steering the outboard motor to the maximum rudder angles can be determined as values that take the unit-specific properties of the outboard motor into account.

Abstract: Stand alone decoupling clutch (10) is used in drive shafts, eg of watercraft. Clutch (10) is separate from any gearbox, etc, does not change the direction of rotation of the drive shaft, and has a single clutch area which allows slippage at any speed or torque. Electronic control system (44) controls slippage of the clutch (10) providing for low speed operation, high energy launches, driveline protection, etc. Slip speed is controlled sensing input shaft speed (38) and the output propeller speed (40) and altering hydraulic pressure accordingly on a clutch-compressing piston by opening direct-acting, high flow, electro-hydraulic solenoids (36).

Abstract: In an outboard motor control system, equipped with two outboard motors and actuators for steering, changing shift position and regulating engine speed, two navigation units responsive to operations of the operator for producing outputs indicative of actuator operation commands, two ECUs that control the operation of the actuators based on the outputs from the navigation units, an output forwarding ECU which forwards the outputs of one of the navigation units to the ECUs, and two switchover buttons for changing the outputs to be forwarded. Therefore, only the set of outputs for the one navigation unit selected by the operator is sent to the ECUs. In other words, in the case where multiple navigation units are provided, use of the navigation units is limited to a desired one thereof, so that the outboard motors can be stably controlled even when the control inputs to the individual navigation units are different.

Abstract: A shift system for outboard motors, which is reduced in size, and is capable securing compatibility with an outboard motor of a type for which the shift operation is manually performed using a shift cable. A motor-driven shift actuator is disposed at a location forward of and to the right of an engine within an engine cover covering the engine. A clutch motor is provided for the actuator and disposed at a location rearward thereof, with a motor output shaft disposed in a manner extending forward, and is operated in response to the detected vessel operator's shift. An actuator output shaft is disposed at a location forward of the clutch motor and extends downward from a front part of the actuator. The actuator output shaft rotates in accordance with rotation of the motor output shaft. A clutch shaft is disposed below the actuator and rearward of the actuator output shaft.

Abstract: A shift device for a boat is operated by a shift lever. Movement of the shift lever causes movement of a mechanical actuator. The device comprises means for detecting the positions of the shift lever at specified time intervals and means for obtaining by calculation an estimated time at which the shift lever will reach an operation end position based on the data from the means for detecting. Means for controlling the drive speed of the actuator also are provided. The shift device corresponds the completion of shift lever movement to the completion of shifting by timing the actuator movement to encourage shifting at the time the shift lever is anticipated to stop movement.

Abstract: A remote operation system for an outboard motor includes a remote control box installed at a cockpit of the boat and a lever attached to a support shaft that is rotatably accommodated in the remote control box for being manipulated by an operator, a plurality of sensors, such as a potentiometer and a rotary encoder provided to generate outputs indicative of an angle of rotation of the support shaft through the lever manipulation, respectively, and a control unit which controls operation of a throttle actuator and a shift actuator based on at least one of the outputs of the sensors, thereby improving reliability and enabling continued regulation of throttle opening and change of shift position even if a failure occurs in one of sensors.

Abstract: In a twin screw marine vessel that has two engines arranged in tandem along the vessel's centerline, a drive system allows both engines to drive the propellers or, alternatively, either engine to drive both propellers independently (e.g. one in forward, the other in reverse) while the other engine is disengaged and shut down. The output of each engine engages and disengages with one of two chain drives with the use of a clutch. A third clutch is provided between the two chain drives for selectively engaging and disengaging the chain drives with one another. An under/overdrive unit on the output of each chain drive is linked to a respective port or starboard V-drive via a universal drive shaft. Each V-drive has an internal transmission for selective clockwise or counter clockwise rotation of a correspondingly driven one of the port and starboard propellers. The under/overdrive units allow for a change in gear ratio between single engine and twin engine drive for maximum efficiency.

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: In an outboard motor shift device having a clutch being engageable with a forward gear or a reverse gear, a shift rod being rotatable to slide the clutch to engage with the gear, an electric motor connected to rotate the shift rod, a speed reduction gear mechanism transmitting an output of the motor to the shift rod at a reduced speed, a manual operation mechanism is provided to be manually operable by an operator and breaking output transmission train of the speed reduction gear mechanism such that the shift rod can be manually rotated by the operator, thereby enhancing reliability by enabling shifting both by actuator and manually and minimizing operation load during manual shifting.

Abstract: A shift assist mechanism is provided with a position identification device that incorporates one or more probes in association with one or more depressions that identify alignment between various positions on the piston and cylinder of the shift assist mechanism. Electrical conductivity or non-conductivity of three electrical conductors identifies the relative axial positions of these components. In addition, the electrical conductors of the system allow the detection of water within the lubricating oil of the transmission.

Abstract: In an outboard motor shift control system having a shift mechanism including a forward gear, a reverse gear and a clutch and an electric motor moving the clutch to engage with one of the forward and reverse gears or to disengage it therefrom, current supplied to the motor is detected, and completion of shift change is discriminated based on the detected current. With this, it becomes possible to detect completion of the shift change accurately, without being affected by shift mechanism aging and manufacturing variances.

Abstract: A control system for a marine vessel having three or more engines is disclosed. The three or more engines may be operated via one or two control levers from each of one or more control stations. The control system may include a first control lever and a second control lever, each of which has an associated operating range. The control levers operate the engine throttle and transmission controls for three or more engines in a plurality of modes. This may be accomplished under software control using a digital data link between respective engine control units associated with the engines.

Abstract: A shift control mechanism of a small watercraft for selectively shifting between a forward, a neutral and a reverse drive mode includes a first mounting bracket, a second mounting bracket, and a shift control lever having a grip for operating the shift control lever and first and second sides. The shift control lever is disposed between the first and second mounting brackets. The shift control lever is rotatably connected between the first and second mounting brackets via at least two connecting members, the shift control lever is supported on each of the first and second sides thereof by respective ones of the first and second mounting brackets, and at least one of the first and second mounting brackets is mounted on a deck of the small watercraft.

Abstract: A tiller arm is provided with a lock mechanism that retains the tiller arm in an upwardly extending position relative to an outboard motor when the tiller arm is rotated about a first axis and the lock mechanism is placed in a first of two positions. Contact between an extension portion of the lock mechanism and the discontinuity of the arm prevents the arm from rotating downwardly out of its upward position.

Abstract: In outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and equipped with 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, having a throttle actuator moving a throttle valve installed at an air intake pipe of the engine for regulating an amount of air to be sucked into the engine to change a boat running speed, a shift actuator rotating a shift rod connected to a clutch such that the clutch moves from a neutral position to engage with at least one of a forward gear and a reverse gear, a steering actuator rotating a swivel shaft installed in the outboard motor such that the outboard motor is steered relative to the boat, a group of devices (i.e., a steering grip, a shift/throttle lever, etc.) is installed at a position other than the boat and each operable by an operator to generate a signal indicating that the operator's instruction to operate at least one of the actuators is inputted.

Abstract: An electronic controlled drive apparatus includes: a remote control unit 3 for calculating a target throttle opening degree and target shift position based on an inputted position of an operational lever of a remote control device 1; a throttle actuator 11 that opens or closes a throttle of the engine in accordance with the target throttle opening degree; a shift actuator 12 that actuates a shift in accordance with the target shift position; and a throttle actuator control unit 5 for determining whether or not the target shift position is in a shift-in state, and when the target shift position is in the shift-in state, driving the throttle actuator to put the throttle into the small opening degree state. The shift actuator is driven to conduct shift connection after the throttle is put into the small opening degree state.

Abstract: A joystick controller for modified steering system for boats with outboard motors. The system uses a directional nozzle for the jet output that is attached to a control cable system. This cable turns the directional nozzle, which causes the trust of the jet output to turn the boat. Thus, the boat can be steered without having to turn the entire motor. The system also has a reversing cup to change direction. The system uses a joystick that connects to a set of actuators, which in turn, connect to the directional nozzle, reverse cup and throttle. In this way, the joystick can control the movement of the boat in any direction. The joystick can be used with a conventional motor as well.

Abstract: A shift enabling interrupt system that facilitates the shifting of gears of an outboard engine is disclosed. The system is activated by the signal from a sensor that determines if the user is attempting to shift the gears by detecting a lost motion in a shift linkage manually activated by the user to shift the gear train of the engine. Upon such activation, the system ECU carries out a set of steps that periodically reduce the speed of the engine by disabling one or more cylinders to facilitate the gear shift. After a predetermined number of revolutions, the disabled cylinders are again enabled to return the engine speed back to normal operation. A timer establishes a maximum elapsed time to complete the shifting operation and the gear shifting itself is only permitted if the RPM of the engine is less that a predetermined value.

Abstract: A marine drive has a propulsion device. A transmission is coupled with the propulsion device. A shift mechanism moves the transmission between a first position in which the propulsion device is set to a first mode and a second position in which the propulsion device is set to a second mode. The shift mechanism has a shift unit movable between a first shift position and a second shift position. The transmission moves to the first position while the shift unit moves toward the first shift position, and moves to the second position while the shift unit moves toward the second shift position. An electrically operable shift actuator is supported by the drive body. The shift actuator has an actuating member that preferably is detachably coupled with the shift unit.

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: Systems and methods for controlling shift and throttle of an electronically controlled power train are disclosed. The system includes a throttle or shift controller having an operating range. An hydraulic slave is in fluid communication with the controller such that a movement of the controller within its operating range causes a flow or displacement of fluid between the controller and the hydraulic slave. The hydraulic slave has a shaft that rotates in response to the fluid flow between the controller and the hydraulic slave. The shaft is adapted to be coupled to a position sensor such that rotation of the shaft causes the position sensor to produce electrical throttle control signals that represent the movement of the controller within its operating range. The electrical signals can be adapted to cause the power train to set an engine throttle and a transmission shift position according to a current position of the controller within its operating range.

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: The electronic controlled drive apparatus includes: a throttle actuator (11) that opens or closes a throttle of an internal combustion engine in accordance with a target throttle opening degree; a shift actuator (12) that actuates a shift in accordance with a target shift position; an engine rotation number holding unit (step S4) for obtaining an engine rotation number when the target shift position is released and holding the obtained engine rotation number; and a waiting time calculating unit (step S5) for calculating a shift drive waiting time in accordance with the held engine rotation number. In the electronic controlled drive apparatus, counting of the shift drive waiting time is started when the target shift position is released (steps S6 and S7), and the shift actuator is allowed to be drive (step S9) after a lapse of the shift drive waiting time (step S8).