Boat propulsion system, and control device and control method therefor

A boat propulsion system comprising:

• a power source arranged to generate a rotational force;
• a boat propulsion section having a propeller arranged to be driven by the rotational force of the power source to generate a propulsive force;
• a shift position switching mechanism arranged between the power source and the propulsion section and having a first clutch and a second clutch arranged to change an engagement state between the power source and the propulsion section, the shift position switching mechanism arranged to switch among a first shift position in which the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a first rotational direction, a second shift position in which the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and a neutral position in which both the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is not transmitted to the propulsion section;
• a clutch actuator arranged to engage and disengage each of the first clutch and the second clutch;
• and
• a control section arranged to control the clutch actuator;
• wherein
• when a gear shift is to be made first from the first shift position to the neutral position and then from the neutral position to the first shift position, the control section causes the clutch actuator to gradually increase an engagement force of the first clutch.

A boat propulsion system comprising:

• a power source arranged to generate a rotational force;
• a boat propulsion section having a propeller arranged to be driven by the rotational force of the power source to generate a propulsive force;
• a shift position switching mechanism arranged between the power source and the propulsion section and including a forward/reverse switching mechanism arranged to switch between a first shift position in which the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a first rotational direction, and a second shift position in which the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and a clutch arranged to engage and disengage the power source with the forward/reverse switching mechanism;
• an actuator arranged to drive the shift position switching mechanism;
• and
• a control section arranged to control the actuator;
• wherein
• when a gear shift is to be made from the first shift position to the second shift position, the control section causes the actuator to gradually increase an engagement force of the clutch.

A control device for a boat propulsion system having a power source arranged to generate a rotational force and a boat propulsion section having a propeller arranged to be driven by the rotational force of the power source to generate a propulsive force, the control device comprising:

• a shift position switching mechanism arranged between the power source and the propulsion section and having a first clutch and a second clutch arranged to change an engagement state between the power source and the propulsion section, the shift position switching mechanism switching among a first shift position in which the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a first rotational direction, a second shift position in which the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and a neutral position in which both the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is not transmitted to the propulsion section;
• and
• a clutch actuator arranged to engage and disengage each of the first clutch and the second clutch;
• wherein
• when a gear shift is to be made from the first shift position to the second shift position, the clutch actuator is caused to gradually increase an engagement force of the second clutch.

A method for controlling a boat propulsion system, the boat propulsion system including:

• a power source arranged to generate a rotational force;
• a boat propulsion section having a propeller arranged to be driven by the rotational force of the power source to generate a propulsive force;
• a shift position switching mechanism arranged between the power source and the propulsion section and having a first clutch and a second clutch arranged to change an engagement state between the power source and the propulsion section, the shift position switching mechanism switching among a first shift position in which the first clutch is engaged and the second clutch is disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a first rotational direction, a second shift position in which the first clutch is disengaged and the second clutch is engaged so that the rotational force of the power source is transmitted to the propulsion section as a rotational force in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, and a neutral position in which both the first clutch and the second clutch are disengaged so that the rotational force of the power source is not transmitted to the propulsion section;
• and
• a clutch actuator arranged to engage and disengage each of the first clutch and the second clutch;
• the control method comprising the step of:
• causing the clutch actuator to gradually increase an engagement force of the second clutch when a gear shift is to be made from the first shift position to the second shift position.