EP4480808A1

EP4480808A1 - Marine vessel steering device and marine vessel

Info

Publication number: EP4480808A1
Application number: EP24180225.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Takuma Ito
Original assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-06-07
Filing date: 2024-06-05
Publication date: 2024-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 2044-06-05
Also published as: US20240409198A1; EP4480808B1; JP2024175921A

Abstract

A marine vessel steering device includes a hub that rotates with a helm shaft and to which a steering wheel is attached, and a stopper that is attached to a pedestal that does not rotate around an axis of the helm shaft and faces the hub. The hub includes a protrusion that is provided integrally with the hub and the stopper includes a regulator that is provided integrally with the stopper. When the helm shaft rotates around the axis, a rotation angle of the steering wheel is regulated because the protrusion of the hub abuts against the regulator of the stopper.

Description

The present invention relates to a marine vessel steering device (a steering device for a marine vessel) including a steering wheel, and a marine vessel.
In recent years, various switches and a paddle-shaped throttle lever have been provided on a steering wheel, and a harness, which is wiring for transmitting operation inputs to these switches and the throttle lever as electrical signals, is routed from the steering wheel to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). Some steering devices regulate a rotation angle of the steering wheel within a predetermined range in order to suppress disconnection of the harness due to the rotation of the steering wheel.
For example, a steering device for an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) that is a straddle-type four wheeled automobile is provided with a pair of shaft-side stoppers 91, as shown in FIG. 9A, attached to a lower end portion of a steering shaft 90 that rotates together with a steering wheel (not shown). A frame-side stopper 92 is attached to a frame (not shown) of a vehicle body. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the steering shaft 90 rotates, the shaft-side stopper 91 abuts against the frame-side stopper 92, whereby the rotation angle of the steering wheel is regulated within a predetermined range (see, for example, JP H11 (1999)-157476 A ).
A steering device for a sports boat that is a jet propulsion boat, as shown in FIG. 10A, a pin 101 is inserted into a helm shaft 100 that rotates together with a steering wheel (not shown) so as to be orthogonal to the helm shaft 100. Further, a substantially cylindrical stopper 102 fixed to a tilt cover (not shown) that does not rotate is provided with a regulator 103 that protrudes toward a central axis of the stopper 102. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the helm shaft 100 rotates, the pin 101 abuts against the regulator 103 of the stopper 102, whereby the rotation angle of the steering wheel is regulated within a predetermined range.
However, the steering devices described above need the shaft-side stoppers 91 or the pin 101 that are separate components from the steering shaft 90 and the helm shaft 100, and there is room for improvement from a viewpoint of improving the ease of assembly and reducing the number of components.
It Is the object of the present invention to provide a marine vessel steering device that can improve the ease of assembly and reduce the number of components.
According to the present invention said object is solved by a marine vessel steering device having the features of independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are laid down in the dependent claims.
According to a preferred embodiment, a marine vessel steering device including a hub that rotates with a helm shaft and to which a steering wheel is attached, and a stopper that is attached to a pedestal that does not rotate around an axis of the helm shaft and faces the hub. The hub includes a protrusion that is provided integrally with the hub, and the stopper includes a regulator that is provided integrally with the stopper. When the helm shaft rotates around the axis, a rotation angle of the steering wheel is regulated because the protrusion of the hub abuts against the regulator of the stopper.
According to another preferred embodiment, a marine vessel steering device including a first component that rotates with a helm shaft, and a second component that does not rotate around an axis of the helm shaft. The first component includes a protrusion that is provided integrally with the first component, and the second component includes a regulator that is provided integrally with the second component. When the helm shaft rotates around the axis, a rotation angle of the helm shaft is regulated because the protrusion of the first component abuts against the regulator of the second component.
According to another preferred embodiment, a marine vessel including a marine vessel steering device including a hub that rotates with a helm shaft and to which a steering wheel is attached, and a stopper that is attached to a pedestal that does not rotate around an axis of the helm shaft and faces the hub. The hub includes a protrusion that is provided integrally with the hub, and the stopper includes a regulator that is provided integrally with the stopper. When the helm shaft rotates around the axis, a rotation angle of the steering wheel is regulated because the protrusion of the hub abuts against the regulator of the stopper.
According to these configurations, since the protrusion of the hub and the regulator of the stopper for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel are provided integrally with the hub and the stopper, respectively, it is unnecessary to use a pin or the like that is a separate component from the hub and the stopper. This can improve the ease of assembly of the marine vessel steering device and can reduce the number of components.
The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a marine vessel according to a preferred embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a marine vessel steering device in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for describing the configuration of the marine vessel steering device in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are enlarged perspective views for describing configurations of a stopper and a hub of the marine vessel steering device in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C are views for describing regulation of a rotation angle of a steering wheel in the marine vessel steering device in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are views schematically showing a configuration of a first modification of a mechanism for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel.
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views schematically showing a configuration of a second modification of the mechanism for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a third modification of the mechanism for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel.
FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are views for describing a conventional mechanism for regulating a rotation angle of a steering wheel in a steering device of an ATV.
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are views for describing a conventional mechanism for regulating a rotation angle of a steering wheel in a steering device of a sports boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a marine vessel according to a preferred embodiment. A marine vessel steering device according to the preferred embodiment is applied to the marine vessel 1. FIG. 1 shows a part of an internal configuration of the marine vessel 1. The marine vessel 1 is a jet propulsion watercraft as an example, and is a type of a watercraft called a jet boat or a sport boat. In FIG. 1, components disposed at a port side of a vessel body 2 of the marine vessel 1 are denoted by a reference sign "L", and components disposed at a starboard side of the vessel body 2 are denoted by a reference sign "R".
As shown in FIG. 1, the marine vessel 1 includes the vessel body 2, engines 3L and 3R, and marine propulsion devices 4L and 4R. The vessel body 2 includes a deck 11 and a hull (not shown). The hull is disposed below the deck 11. A maneuvering seat 13 is disposed on the deck 11. In the maneuvering seat 13, a marine vessel steering device 14 for changing a traveling direction of the marine vessel 1 to left and right and a remote control unit 15 for controlling the traveling direction and a vessel speed of the marine vessel 1 are disposed. The marine propulsion devices 4L and 4R are respectively driven by the engines 3L and 3R and generate propulsive forces for moving the vessel body 2. The marine vessel 1 may have three or more engines and three or more vessel propulsion devices.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the marine vessel steering device 14, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for describing the configuration of the marine vessel steering device 14 in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the marine vessel steering device 14 includes a switch controller 30, a steering wheel 31 to which the switch controller 30 is attached, and a hub 32 to which the steering wheel 31 is attached. The marine vessel steering device 14 includes a front cover 33 and a rear cover 34 that cover the hub 32, throttle levers 35L and 35R that are attached so as to protrude to the left and right from the hub 32, and an approximately cylindrical assembly case 36 to which the hub 32 is attached. The switch controller 30 and the assembly case 36 are assembled to each other, and rotate integrally with a helm shaft 43 described later around an axis of the helm shaft 43.
The marine vessel steering device 14 further includes a stopper 37, an inner cover 38 to which the stopper 37 is attached, an outer cover 39 that covers the inner cover 38, and a tilt mechanism 40 to which the inner cover 38 is attached. The marine vessel steering device 14 also includes a base 41 to which the tilt mechanism 40 is attached, and a helm mechanism 42 to which the base 41 is attached. Since the stopper 37 is directly or indirectly attached to the components from the inner cover 38 to the helm mechanism 42, the components from the inner cover 38 to the helm mechanism 42 function as a pedestal for the stopper 37. Since the base 41 and the helm mechanism 42 are fixed to the vessel body 2, the components from the inner cover 38 to the tilt mechanism 40 in addition to the stopper 37 do not rotate around the axis of the helm shaft 43.
In the meantime, the tilt mechanism 40 supports the helm shaft 43, which is a cylindrical shaft, to be rotatable around its axis, and the helm mechanism 42 supports a helm shaft 45 to be rotatable around its axis. The base 41 is provided with a shaft hole 41a for allowing the helm shaft 45 to pass therethrough, and when the base 41 is attached to the helm mechanism 42, the helm shaft 45 protrudes from the base 41 toward the tilt mechanism 40.
The inner cover 38 is provided with a shaft hole 38a for allowing the helm shaft 43 to pass therethrough, and when the inner cover 38 is attached to the tilt mechanism 40, the helm shaft 43 protrudes from the inner cover 38 toward the stopper 37. Further, the stopper 37 is also provided with a shaft hole 37a for allowing the helm shaft 43 to pass therethrough, and when the stopper 37 is attached to the inner cover 38, the helm shaft 43 protrudes from the stopper 37. The helm shaft 43 protruded from the stopper 37 is coupled to the hub 32 through the inside of the assembly case 36.
The helm shaft 43 and the helm shaft 45 are coupled to each other with a universal joint inside the tilt mechanism 40. Therefore, when the steering wheel 31 is rotated by an operator, the hub 32 and the helm shaft 43 rotate around their axes with the rotation of the steering wheel 31, and the helm shaft 45 also rotates around its axis.
For example, various switches for determining maneuvering modes are disposed in the switch controller 30. The switch controller 30 outputs an electrical signal in response to an operation to one of the various switches by a maneuvering person. The electrical signal is transmitted to a BCU (Boat Control Unit, not shown) provided in the vessel body 2 via a harness 46 as a wiring connected to the switch controller 30.
When the front cover 33 and the rear cover 34 cover the hub 32, the throttle levers 35L and 35R respectively protrude to the left and right. When the maneuvering person pulls the throttle lever 35R toward oneself, the throttle lever 35R outputs an electrical signal for moving the marine vessel 1 forward. When the maneuvering person pulls the throttle lever 35L toward oneself, the throttle lever 35L outputs an electrical signal for moving the marine vessel 1 backward. These electrical signals are also transmitted to the BCU via the harness 46.
At least a part of the stopper 37 has a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, and the harness 46 is routed along the side surface of the stopper 37 while being loosened. Thus, the stopper 37 functions as a guide for the harness 46. When the steering wheel 31 rotates, the switch controller 30 and the throttle levers 35L and 35R also rotate, and the harness 46 routed from the switch controller 30 and the throttle levers 35L and 35R is dragged by the rotation, and the routing form of the harness 46 changes.
According to the present preferred embodiment, since the change in the routing form of the harness 46 at this time is absorbed by the slack of the harness 46 on the side surface of the stopper 37, occurrence of tension in the harness 46 due to the harness 46 being forcibly stretched in association with the rotation of the steering wheel 31 is reduced. This can prevent the tension generated in the harness 46 from disturbing the rotation of the steering wheel 31. Further, since the harness 46 is not forcibly stretched, disconnection of the harness 46 can also be prevented.
When the helm shaft 43 is coupled to the hub 32, the stopper 37 is inserted into the assembly case 36. At this time, the harness 46 is routed along the side surface of the stopper 37, and thus the harness 46 does not protrude outward from the stopper 37. This prevents the harness 46 from coming into contact with and rubbing against the assembly case 36, and eliminates the need to increase the size of the assembly case 36 in order to avoid contact with the harness 46, which in turn contributes to a reduction in the size of the marine vessel steering device 14.
The tilt mechanism 40 is provided with a tilt shaft 44 extending in the left-right direction, and the helm shaft 43 pivots around the tilt shaft 44 together with a shaft support component of the helm shaft 43. Thus, the position of the steering wheel 31 in the vertical direction is changed.
The helm mechanism 42 incorporates a converter (not shown) for converting the rotation of the helm shaft 45 into an electrical signal, and incorporates a clutch mechanism (not shown) for switching connection and disconnection between the helm shaft 45 and the converter. When the steering wheel 31 rotates, the helm shaft 45 connected to the helm shaft 43 also rotates, and therefore the helm mechanism 42 outputs the rotation of the steering wheel 31 as an electrical signal from the converter. This electrical signal is also transmitted to the BCU.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are enlarged perspective views for describing configurations of the stopper 37 and the hub 32. FIG. 4A shows the stopper 37 as viewed from the maneuvering person side, and FIG. 4B shows the hub 32 as viewed from the opposite side to the maneuvering person. In FIG. 4A, the harness 46 routed around the side surface of the stopper 37 is not shown.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the stopper 37 has a regulator 47 that protrudes toward the center axis of the stopper 37. The regulator 47 occupies a part of space inside the cylindrical portion at the cylindrical end at the maneuvering person side. From a different view point, the regulator 47 protrudes from the bottom of the cylindrical portion toward the maneuvering person side, that is, toward the stern side. The regulator 47 is formed integrally with the stopper 37 by casting aluminum, for example.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the hub 32 includes lever bases 48L and 48R provided on the left and right, a hollow cylindrical boss 49 protruding from the central portion of the hub 32 toward the side opposite to the maneuvering person, and a plate-shaped protrusion 50 protruding from the boss 49 in the radial direction of the boss 49. The throttle levers 48L and 48R are respectively attached to the lever bases 35L and 35R. The protrusion 50 is formed integrally with the hub 32 by casting aluminum, for example, so as to extend in the axial direction of the boss 49. From a different view point, the protrusion 50 protrudes from the central portion of the hub 32 toward the opposite side to the maneuvering person, that is, toward the bow side, together with the boss 49.
When assembling the marine vessel steering device 14 using the hub 32 and the stopper 37, the hub 32 and the stopper 37 are arranged to face each other. When the hub 32 and the stopper 37 approach each other, the boss 49 and the protrusion 50 of the hub 32 enter the space inside the cylindrical portion of the stopper 37 so as to be accommodated in a portion excluding the regulator 47 in the space. The portion excluding the regulator 47 is hereinafter referred to as "accommodation space". At this time, the helm shaft 43 passing through the shaft hole 37a is inserted into a hollow portion 49a of the boss 49. Thus, the helm shaft 43 is coupled to the hub 32.
FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C are views for describing regulation of a rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 in the marine vessel steering device 14. FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C show the stopper 37 in coupling the helm shaft 43 to the hub 32 as viewed from the maneuvering person side. In these drawings, the boss 49 and the protrusion 50 of the hub 32 are shown by broken lines.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the steering wheel 31 is rotated to neither left nor right, that is, when the steering wheel 31 is in what is called a neutral state, the protrusion 50 that has entered the accommodation space is located on the opposite side of the regulator 47 with respect to the center axis of the stopper 37 (at a position rotated 180° from the regulator 47). In this state, the regulator 47 is not in contact with the protrusion 50, and thus the maneuvering person can rotate the steering wheel 31 in either the left or right direction.
When the steering wheel 31 in the neutral state is rotated in the right direction and the helm shaft 43 rotates to the right around the axis, the protrusion 50 of the hub 32 approaches the regulator 47 of the stopper 37. When the steering wheel 31 is rotated from the neutral state to the right by about 150°, the protrusion 50 of the hub 32 abuts against the regulator 47 of the stopper 37 as shown in FIG. 5B, and the steering wheel 31 cannot be rotated further to the right. Thus, the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 from the neutral state to the right direction is regulated to 150°.
Further, when the steering wheel 31 in the neutral state is rotated in the left direction and the helm shaft 43 rotates to the left around the axis, the protrusion 50 of the hub 32 approaches the regulator 47 of the stopper 37. When the steering wheel 31 is rotated from the neutral state to the left by about 150°, the protrusion 50 of the hub 32 abuts against the regulator 47 of the stopper 37 as shown in FIG. 5C, and the steering wheel 31 cannot be rotated further to the left. Thus, the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 from the neutral state to the left is regulated to 150°.
According to the present preferred embodiment, since the protrusion 50 is formed integrally with the hub 32, and the regulator 47 is formed integrally with the stopper 37, it is not necessary to use a pin or the like that is a component separate from the hub 32 and the stopper 37 in order to regulate the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the marine vessel steering device 14 is improved, and the number of components of the marine vessel steering device 14 is reduced.
Further, since the protrusion 50 is formed integrally with the hub 32 by casting and the restricting portion 47 is integrally formed with the stopper 37 by casting, the strength of the protrusion 50 and the regulator 47 is improved, and the durability against the operation input is improved.
According to the present preferred embodiment, the regulation of the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 is achieved by the hub 32 and the stopper 37. Alternatively, the regulation of the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 may be achieved by other components of the marine vessel steering device 14.
Specifically, the protrusion may be integrally provided on a first component (first part) that rotates together with the helm shaft 43, and the regulator may be integrally provided on a second component (second part) that is fixed to the vessel body 2 and does not rotate around the axis of the helm shaft 43. In this case, when the helm shaft 43 rotates around the axis, the protrusion of the first component is brought into contact with the regulator of the second component, thereby regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31.
FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are views schematically showing a configuration of a first modification of the mechanism for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31. FIG. 6A is a sectional view of the helm mechanism 42 taken along the axial direction of the helm shaft 45, and FIG. 6B is a view of the helm mechanism 42 as viewed from the opposite side (bow side) to the maneuvering person. In FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, components that are not related to the regulation for the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 are not shown.
In the first modification, a regulator 51 is provided so as to protrude from an inner peripheral wall of a cylindrical case 42a that accommodates the internal components of the helm mechanism 42 toward a center axis of the case 42a, and a plate-shaped protrusion 52 is provided so as to protrude from the helm shaft 45 in the radial direction of the helm shaft 45. The regulator 51 is formed integrally with the case 42a, and the protrusion 52 is formed integrally with the helm shaft 45.
In the first modification, when the steering wheel 31 is rotated in the right direction or the left direction from the neutral state, the protrusion 52 approaches the regulator 51 accompanied with the rotation of the helm shaft 45. The rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 is regulated because the protrusion 52 abuts the regulator 51.
FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views schematically showing a configuration of a second modification of the mechanism for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31. FIG. 7A is a sectional view of the helm mechanism 42 taken along the axial direction of the helm shaft 45, and FIG. 7B is a view of the helm mechanism 42 as viewed from the bow side. In FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, components that are not related to the regulation of the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 are not shown.
In the second modification, a thin shaft portion 45a having a smaller radius than another portion is formed at the end of the helm shaft 45 on the bow side, and a protrusion 53 protruding in the radial direction from the thin shaft portion 45a is provided. A plate-shaped regulator 54 is provided to protrude from the inner peripheral wall of the case 42a of the helm mechanism 42 toward the center axis of the case 42a. The regulator 54 extends closer to the center axis of the case 42a than the regulator 51 of the first modification, and the tip of the regulator 54 enters a stepped space formed between the thin shaft portion 45a of the helm shaft 45 and the other portion. The regulator 54 is formed integrally with the case 42a, and the protrusion 53 is formed integrally with the helm shaft 45.
In the second modification, when the steering wheel 31 is rotated in the right direction or the left direction from the neutral state, the protrusion 53 approaches the regulator 54 accompanied with the rotation of the helm shaft 45. The rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 is regulated because the protrusion 53 abuts the regulator 54.
FIG. 8 is an external perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a third modification of the mechanism for regulating the rotation angle of the steering wheel 31.
In the third modification, a plate-like protrusion 55 is provided to protrude from the bow side of the rear cover 34 in the bow direction, and a pair of plate-like regulators 56 are provided to project from the outer cover 39 in the lower left and right directions. The protrusion 55 is formed integrally with the rear cover 34, and the regulators 56 are formed integrally with the outer cover 39. FIG. 8 shows only one of the regulators 56 that protrudes in the lower right direction.
In the third modification, when the steering wheel 31 is rotated in the right direction or the left direction from the neutral state, the protrusion 55 approaches the regulator 56 accompanied with the rotation of the rear cover 34 that rotates integrally with the steering wheel 31. The rotation angle of the steering wheel 31 is regulated because the protrusion 55 abuts on the regulator 56.
According to the present preferred embodiment, the steering wheel 31 and the hub 32 are configured as separate components, but the steering wheel 31 and the hub 32 may be configured integrally. This further improves the ease of assembly of the marine vessel steering device 14 and further reduces the number of components of the marine vessel steering device 14.
Further, according to the present preferred embodiment, the marine vessel steering device 14 includes the steering wheel 31, but the marine vessel steering device 14 may include a control wheel instead of the steering wheel 31. According to the present preferred embodiment, the marine vessel steering device 14 is applied to the jet propulsion boat. In the meantime, the marine vessel steering device 14 is also applicable to other types of marine vessels, such as a marine vessel including an outboard motor and a marine vessel including an inboard/outboard motor.

Claims

A marine vessel steering device (14) for a marine vessel (1) comprising:
a first component (32) configured to rotate with a helm shaft (43, 45); and

a second component (37) that does not rotate around an axis of the helm shaft (43, 45); wherein

the first component (32) includes a protrusion (50, 52) that is provided integrally with the first component (32);

the second component (37) includes a regulator (47, 51) that is provided integrally with the second component (37); and

when the helm shaft (43, 45) rotates around the axis, a rotation angle of the helm shaft (43, 45) is regulated because the protrusion (50, 52) of the first component (32) is configured to abut against the regulator (47, 51) of the second component (37).
The marine vessel steering device (14) according to claim 1, wherein the second component (37) is attached to a pedestal that does not rotate around an axis of the helm shaft (43, 45) on a vessel body (2) of the marine vessel (1).
The marine vessel steering device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the first component is a hub (32) that is configured to rotate with the helm shaft (43, 45) and to which a steering wheel (31) is attached; and

the second component is a stopper (37) that faces the hub (32); wherein

the hub (32) includes the protrusion (50) that is provided integrally with the hub (32);

the stopper (37) includes the regulator (47) that is provided integrally with the stopper (37); and

when the helm shaft (43, 45) rotates around the axis, a rotation angle of the steering wheel (31) is regulated because the protrusion (50) of the hub (32) is configured to abut against the regulator (47) of the stopper (37).
The marine vessel steering device (14) according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the stopper (37) is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the regulator (47) protrudes toward a central axis of the stopper (37); and
when the marine vessel steering device (14) is assembled using the hub (32) and the stopper (37), the protrusion (50) of the hub (32) enters in a portion excluding the regulator (47) in a space inside the stopper (37).
The marine vessel steering device (14) according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion (50) of the hub (32) protrudes toward a bow side of the marine vessel (1), and the regulator of the stopper (37) protrudes toward a stern side of the marine vessel (1).
The marine vessel steering device (14) according to at least one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein the stopper (37) also serves as a guide for a wiring routed from the steering wheel (31).
A marine vessel (1) including a marine vessel steering device (14) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6.