Tiller for outboard motor
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsMadalyn G. Pielow, Paul M. Kraus, Robert A. Podell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tiller for an outboard motor has a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body, and a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip. A microcontroller is located inside the tiller body, remote from the control switch, and is in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine. The control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller. In response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller. In one example, the control switch is an idle speed control switch.
Claims20
A tiller for an outboard motor powered by an engine, the tiller comprising:
- a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end;
- a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body;
- a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip;
- and
- a microcontroller located inside the tiller body, remote from the control switch, and in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine located remote from the microcontroller;
- wherein the control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller;
- and
- wherein in response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller.
A tiller for an outboard motor powered by an engine, the tiller comprising:
- a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end;
- an idle speed control switch located on the tiller body between the proximal and distal ends;
- a microcontroller located inside the tiller body and in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine;
- an electronic display on the tiller body, configured to be electrically connected to the microcontroller, and configured to display information about at least one of the tiller and the engine to a user;
- and
- a circuit board supporting the microcontroller and located remote from the idle speed control switch;
- wherein the idle speed control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller;
- and
- wherein in response to actuation of the idle speed control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller to change an idle speed of the engine.
A tiller for an outboard motor powered by an engine, the tiller comprising:
- a tiller body that is elongated along a longitudinal center axis between a proximal end and a distal end;
- a throttle grip on the distal end of the tiller body;
- a control switch located on the tiller body adjacent the throttle grip;
- a microcontroller located inside the tiller body and in signal communication with an engine controller of the engine located remote from the microcontroller;
- and
- a membrane covering the control switch and coupled to the tiller body in a watertight manner;
- wherein the control switch is configured to be selectively electrically connected to the microcontroller;
- and
- wherein in response to actuation of the control switch, the microcontroller sends a signal to the engine controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.