Joystick for controlling marine propulsion

Abstract

A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel includes a single rear marine drive configured to be positioned near a stern of the marine vessel, a joystick comprising a joystick handle configured to be movable by a user to provide steering demand input, wherein the joystick is configured such that the joystick handle is movable in a forward direction to demand a forward motion of the marine vessel, in a backward direction to demand backward motion of the marine vessel, and twistable to demand rotational motion of the marine vessel, wherein the joystick is configured to restrict movement of the joystick handle in a lateral direction, and a control system configured to control steering and/or thrust of the single rear marine drive based on the steering demand input to generate the demanded forward motion, the backward motion, and the rotational motion of the marine vessel.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A marine propulsion system for a marine vessel, the marine propulsion system comprising:
 a single rear marine drive configured to be positioned near a stern of the marine vessel;   a joystick comprising a joystick handle configured to be movable by a user to provide steering demand input;   wherein the joystick is configured such that the joystick handle is movable in a forward direction to demand a forward motion of the marine vessel, in a backward direction to demand backward motion of the marine vessel, and twistable to demand rotational motion of the marine vessel;   wherein the joystick is configured to restrict movement of the joystick handle in a lateral direction; and   a control system configured to control steering and/or thrust of the single rear marine drive based on the steering demand input to generate the demanded forward motion, the backward motion, and the rotational motion of the marine vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the joystick is configured to prevent lateral movement of the joystick handle in right and left lateral directions such that the joystick handle is configured to be movable only in the forward direction, the backward direction, and to twist about a shaft axis of a shaft connected to the joystick handle. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the joystick further comprises:
 a base below the joystick handle;   a shaft connected to the joystick handle and extending into the base, wherein the shaft is configured to move when the user manipulates the joystick handle; and   a plate inside the base and positioned around the shaft, wherein the plate is configured to restrict lateral movement of the shaft and the joystick handle and to permit forward and backward movement of the shaft and the joystick handle and permit twist movement of the shaft and the joystick handle about a shaft axis of the shaft.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plate prevents lateral movement of the shaft and the joystick handle so as to only permit the forward, backward, and twist movements of the shaft and the joystick handle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the plate comprises an elongated hole configured to restrict the lateral movement of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the elongated hole has a width that is slightly larger than a diameter of the shaft and a length that is substantially larger than the diameter of the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the elongated hole is centered around the shaft when the shaft is in a neutral position. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the single rear marine drive is steerable about a steering axis to a range of steering angles. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the range of steering angles is no greater than between +45 degrees and −45 degrees of a centered steering position. 
     
     
         10 . A joystick for controlling propulsion of a marine vessel, the joystick comprising:
 a joystick handle configured to be manipulated by a user to steer a marine vessel;   a base below the joystick handle;   a shaft connected to the joystick handle and extending into the base, wherein the shaft is configured to move when the user manipulates the joystick handle; and   a plate inside the base and positioned around the shaft, wherein the plate is configured to restrict lateral movement of the shaft and the joystick handle and to permit forward and backward movement of the shaft and the joystick handle and permit twist movement of the shaft and the joystick handle about a shaft axis of the shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The joystick of  claim 10 , wherein the joystick is configured to be installed on a marine vessel to control steering and/or thrust of a single rear marine drive on the marine vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The joystick of  claim 10 , wherein the plate is mounted within the base such that it is centered around the shaft when the shaft is in a neutral position and configured to symmetrically restrict the lateral movement of the shaft in right and left lateral directions. 
     
     
         13 . The joystick of  claim 10 , wherein the plate prevents lateral movement of the shaft and the joystick handle so as to only permit the forward, backward, and twist movements of the shaft and the joystick handle. 
     
     
         14 . The joystick of  claim 10 , wherein the plate comprises an elongated hole configured to restrict the lateral movement of the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The joystick of  claim 14 , wherein the elongated hole has a width that is slightly larger than a diameter of the shaft and a length that is substantially larger than the diameter of the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The joystick of  claim 15 , wherein the width of the elongated hole is between 1.01 and 1.2 times the diameter of the shaft. 
     
     
         17 . The joystick of  claim 15 , wherein the length of the elongated hole is between 1.5 and 2.5 times the diameter of the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The joystick of  claim 14 , wherein the elongated hole is arc-shaped at each end, wherein a radius of the arc is slightly larger than a radius of the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The joystick of  claim 14 , wherein the elongated hole is centered around the shaft when the shaft is in a neutral position. 
     
     
         20 . The joystick of  claim 10 , wherein the plate is comprised of metal.