Clutch mechanisms for steering control system

A method of manufacturing a trolling motor steering control system, the method comprising the steps of:

• coupling a steering motor to a steering shaft via a single ratio transmission system, such that the steering motor is adapted to rotate the steering shaft;
• and
• installing a torque clutch adapted to automatically decouple the steering motor from the steering shaft when the steering shaft is subjected to an external torque exceeding a predetermined threshold magnitude
• wherein the torque clutch comprises a tapered pin and spring mechanism.

A trolling motor steering control system comprising:

• a steering motor;
• a steering shaft adapted to be rotated by the steering motor via a single ratio transmission system;
• and
• a torque clutch adapted to automatically decouple the steering motor from the steering shaft when the steering shaft is subjected to an external torque exceeding a predetermined threshold magnitude;
• wherein the steering shaft comprises a plurality of vertebrae and at least one tension element threaded longitudinally through the plurality of vertebrae to link the vertebrae, and
• wherein at least a portion of the steering shaft has a flexible configuration when the at least one tension element is released and a stiffened linear configuration when the tension element is tensed to react to torque and bending moments on the steering shaft.

A trolling motor steering control system comprising:

• a steering motor;
• a steering shaft adapted to be rotated by the steering motor via a single ratio transmission system;
• and
• a torque clutch adapted to automatically decouple the steering motor from the steering shaft when the steering shaft is subjected to an external torque exceeding a predetermined threshold magnitude,
• wherein the torque clutch comprises a ball and spring mechanism, and
• wherein the ball and spring mechanism comprises a plurality of ball/detent interfaces, wherein at each ball/detent interface a ball is adapted to be (i) disposed within a detent when the torque is below the predetermined threshold magnitude and (ii) displaced from the detent when the torque is above the predetermined threshold magnitude.

A trolling motor steering control system comprising:

• a steering motor;
• a steering shaft adapted to be rotated by the steering motor via a single ratio transmission system;
• and
• a torque clutch adapted to automatically decouple the steering motor from the steering shaft when the steering shaft is subjected to an external torque exceeding a predetermined threshold magnitude,
• wherein the torque clutch comprises a slip tooth mechanism comprising a first toothed interface coupled to the steering shaft and a second mating toothed interface coupled to the transmission system, wherein (i) the first toothed interface and the second toothed interface maintain engagement when the external torque is below the predetermined threshold magnitude and (ii) the first toothed interface and the second toothed interface incrementally rotate relative to each other when the external torque is above the predetermined threshold magnitude.