JP2004001639A - Steering apparatus for outboard engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering apparatus for an outboard engine that can improve a steering feeling and simplify constitution to cause no increase in the number of parts and weight, nor impairing space from the front of the outboard engine (the hull side) to a hull rear part. <P>SOLUTION: an electric motor 42 is disposed inside the outboard engine 10, specifically at an upper part 50A of a swivel case 50, and the electric motor 42 is connected to a mount frame 56 fixed to a swivel shaft 54 through a gear box 66. The swivel shaft 54 is thereby rotated by the output of the electric motor 42 to steer a propeller 22 and a rudder 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering device for an outboard motor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the power source of the steering device of the outboard motor is, for example, a tiller handle type for manually turning a tiller handle attached to the outboard motor, or a remote control type for remotely controlling a steering mechanism via a push-pull cable. Most of them were by human power. Further, as a configuration separate from the outboard motor, that is, as a retrofit configuration, a hydraulic cylinder 104 for steering is attached via a stay 102 in front of the outboard motor 100 (hull side) as shown in FIG. It is also known to power assist the steering of the tiller handle 108 via the link mechanism 106.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned manual operation has a problem that the steering feeling is not good due to a heavy steering load or the like. In addition, a steering system using a retrofit hydraulic cylinder has a complicated structure, increases the number of parts and weight, and has a space for mounting the device from the front of the outboard motor (hull side) to the rear of the hull. Was required.
[0004]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, improve the steering feeling, further simplify the configuration, do not cause an increase in the number of parts and weight, and reduce the forward speed of the outboard motor (hull). It is an object of the present invention to provide a steering device for an outboard motor, which does not impair the space from the side) to the rear of the hull.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, in claim 1, an internal combustion engine is mounted on an upper portion, and a propeller driven by the internal combustion engine is provided on a lower portion. In the steering apparatus for an outboard motor to be driven, an electric motor is disposed inside the outboard motor, and the propeller is steered by rotating a swivel shaft by an output of the electric motor.
[0006]
An electric motor is arranged inside the outboard motor, and the output is used to rotate the swivel shaft to steer the propeller. The ring can be improved. Further, since the structure of the steering device is simpler than the case where the steering device is formed separately from the outboard motor, the number of parts and the weight do not increase, and the steering device extends from the front (the hull side) to the rear of the hull. Space is not lost.
[0007]
Further, in the present invention, the electric motor is fixed to an upper portion of a swivel case, and the propeller is steered by rotating a mount frame fixed to the swivel shaft via a gear. did.
[0008]
Since the electric motor is fixed to the upper part of the swivel case and the propeller is steered by rotating the mount frame fixed to the swivel shaft via gears, the electric motor (drive unit) and the mount frame Steering unit) can be arranged on the same straight line, so that further space saving can be achieved, and good steering feeling with high responsiveness without rattling can be obtained. it can.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the electric motor is fixed to a lower portion of a swivel case, and a lower mount center housing fixed to the swivel shaft is rotated via a gear to steer the propeller. Configured.
[0010]
The electric motor is fixed to the lower part of the swivel case and the propeller is steered by rotating the lower mount center housing fixed to the swivel shaft via gears, so that the electric motor (drive unit) and the lower mount center housing The (steered portion) can be arranged on the same straight line, so that further space saving can be achieved, and a good steering feeling with high responsiveness without rattling or the like can be obtained. be able to.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotation of the electric motor is transmitted to the swivel shaft via a reel gear and a cable.
[0012]
Since the configuration is such that the rotation of the electric motor is transmitted to the swivel shaft via the reel gear and the cable, there is no restriction on the relative positional relationship between the electric motor and the swivel shaft, and when the electric motor is arranged on the outboard motor, The degree of freedom of the arrangement position is increased, so that further space saving can be achieved, and the electric motor can be protected from seawater, dust and the like.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An outboard motor steering apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the entire steering device of the outboard motor, and FIG. 2 is a partial explanatory side view of FIG.
[0015]
1 and 2, reference numeral 10 indicates an outboard motor in which an internal combustion engine, a propeller shaft, a propeller, and the like are integrated. The outboard motor 10 is mounted on a stern of a hull (ship) 12 via a stern bracket 14 (shown in FIG. 2).
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, the outboard motor 10 includes an internal combustion engine (hereinafter, referred to as “engine”) 16 at an upper portion thereof (above in a direction of gravity (indicated by an arrow g)). The engine 16 is a spark-ignition in-line four-cylinder gasoline engine having a displacement of 2200 cc. The engine 16 is located on the water surface, is covered with the engine cover 18, and is disposed inside the outboard motor 10. An electronic control unit (hereinafter, referred to as “ECU”) 20 including a microcomputer is arranged near the engine 16 covered with the engine cover 18.
[0017]
Further, the outboard motor 10 includes a propeller 22 and a rudder 23 at a lower portion thereof. The rudder 23 is fixed near the propeller 22, and does not rotate independently. The power of the engine 16 is transmitted to the propeller 22 via a crankshaft, a drive shaft, a gear mechanism, and a shift mechanism (not shown) to move the hull 12 forward or backward.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, a steering wheel 24 is disposed near the cockpit of the hull 12. A steering angle sensor 24S is arranged near the steering wheel 24, and outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation of the steering wheel 24 input by the driver. A throttle lever 26 and a shift lever 28 are disposed on the right side of the cockpit, and their operations are transmitted to a throttle valve and a shift mechanism (both not shown) of the engine 16 via a push-pull cable (not shown).
[0019]
Further, a power tilt switch 30 for adjusting the tilt angle of the outboard motor 10 and a power trim switch 32 for adjusting the trim angle are disposed near the cockpit, and the tilt input by the pilot is increased. -Outputs signals according to the instruction for down and trim up / down. The outputs of the steering angle sensor 24S, the power tilt switch 30, and the power trim switch 32 are sent to the ECU 20 via signal lines 24L, 30L, 32L.
[0020]
The ECU 20 operates the electric motor 42 (shown in FIG. 2) in accordance with the output of the steering angle sensor 24S sent through the signal line 24L, thereby steering the outboard motor 10 and changing the directions of the propeller 22 and the rudder 23. It turns and turns the hull 12 right and left.
[0021]
In addition, the ECU 20 operates the known power tilt trim unit 44 according to the outputs of the power tilt switch 30 and the power trim switch 32 sent through the signal lines 30L and 32L, and adjusts the tilt angle and the trim angle of the outboard motor 10. adjust.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory side view of FIG. 2. In addition, in the same figure, the stern bracket 14 on the right side is removed and shown toward the front (the hull 12 side), and a part of the figure is shown in perspective.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, the power tilt trim unit 44 includes one tilt angle adjusting hydraulic cylinder 442 (hereinafter referred to as “tilt hydraulic cylinder”) and two (only one in FIG. 3) trim angles. An adjustment hydraulic cylinder (hereinafter referred to as “trim hydraulic cylinder”) 444 is integrally provided.
[0024]
One end of the tilt hydraulic cylinder 442 is fixed to the stern bracket 14 and fixed to the hull 12 as shown in FIG. 3, and the other end (piston rod) is fixed to the swivel case 50. One end of the trim hydraulic cylinder 444 is fixed to the stern bracket 14 and fixed to the hull 12 similarly to the tilt hydraulic cylinder 442, and the other end (piston rod) is in contact with the swivel case 50.
[0025]
The swivel case 50 is connected to the stern bracket 14 via the tilting shaft 52 so as to be relatively displaceable about the tilting shaft 52. In the swivel case 50, a swivel shaft 54 is rotatably housed. The swivel shaft 54 has an upper end fixed to the mount frame 56 and a lower end fixed to the lower mount center housing 58. The mount frame 56 and the lower mount center housing 58 are fixed to the undercover 60 and the extension case 62 (more specifically, a mount that covers them).
[0026]
The electric motor 42 and a gear box (gear mechanism) 66 for reducing the output of the electric motor 42 are fixed to the upper part 50A of the swivel case 50.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged side view showing the vicinity of the upper part 50A of the swivel case in an enlarged manner. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the electric motor 42, the swivel case 50, the mount frame 56, and the gear box 66 as viewed from above in the direction of gravity. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 70 indicates a vertical projection plane of the outline of the outboard motor 10 in plan view.
[0028]
4 and 5, the electric motor 42 is fixed to the swivel case 50 inside the outboard motor 10 (in the vertical projection plane 70 of the outline of the outboard motor). It is connected to the mount frame 56 via a gear box 66 fixed inside the machine 10.
[0029]
More specifically, the output shaft gear 42a fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor 42 is connected to a first gear 66a having a larger diameter (that is, a larger number of teeth) than the output shaft gear 42a in the gear box 66. Be engaged.
[0030]
A second gear 66b having a smaller diameter (ie, having a smaller number of teeth) is coaxially fixed to the first gear 66a, and a second gear 66b is a third gear having a larger diameter. 66c. A fourth gear 66d having a smaller diameter than the third gear 66c is fixed outside the gear box 66 on the same axis as the third gear 66c.
[0031]
Here, a mount frame gear 56a having a diameter larger than that of the fourth gear 66d is formed on the arc-shaped end side surface of the mount frame 56. When the fourth gear 66d is engaged with the mount frame gear 56a, the output of the electric motor 42 is reduced and transmitted to the mount frame 56.
[0032]
That is, when the mount frame 56 is rotated by the rotation output of the electric motor 42, the horizontal steering of the outboard motor 10 is power assisted, and the propeller 22 and the rudder 23 are steered. The total steering angle of the outboard motor 10 is 30 degrees left turning and 30 degrees right turning, for a total of 60 degrees.
[0033]
As described above, since the outboard motor 10 is steered (rotated) by the electric motor 42 mounted inside the outboard motor 10, high responsiveness and high-precision control can be performed, and the steering feeling is improved. Can be done. Further, the number of parts and the weight are not increased as compared with the case where the steering device is formed separately from the outboard motor, and the space from the front (outboard side) of the outboard motor 10 to the rear part of the hull 12 is prevented. Does not impair.
[0034]
Further, since the electric motor 42 is fixed to the upper portion 50A of the swivel case and the mount frame 56 fixed to the swivel shaft 54 is rotated via gears to steer the propeller 22, the electric motor (that is, the driving unit) 42 and the mount frame (that is, the steered portion) 56 can be arranged on the same straight line, so that further space saving (especially space saving in the internal space of the outboard motor 10) can be achieved. No rattling or the like occurs, and a good responsiveness and good steering feeling can be obtained.
[0035]
Next, an outboard motor steering system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a partial explanatory side view showing a steering device for an outboard motor according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the electric motor 42, the swivel case 50, and the lower mount center housing 58 as viewed from below in the direction of gravity. In FIG. 6, illustration of the power tilt trim unit 44 is omitted for simplification.
[0037]
A difference from the previous embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the electric motor 42 is provided inside the outboard motor 10 (outline of the outboard motor). (In the vertical projection plane 70) of the swivel case 50.
[0038]
Further, a lower mount center housing gear 58a having a diameter larger than the output shaft gear 42b fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor 42 is formed on an arc-shaped end side surface of the lower mount center housing 58, and the output shaft gear 42b The output of the electric motor 42 is reduced and transmitted to the lower mount center housing 58 by directly meshing with the lower mount center housing gear 58a.
[0039]
That is, when the lower mount center housing 58 is rotated by the rotation output of the electric motor 42, the horizontal steering of the outboard motor 10 is power assisted, and the propeller 22 and the rudder 23 are steered. It should be noted that also in this embodiment, the total steering angle of the outboard motor 10 is a total of 60 degrees of 30 degrees left turning and 30 degrees right turning.
[0040]
As described above, in the second embodiment, since the outboard motor 10 is steered (rotated) by the electric motor 42 mounted inside the outboard motor 10, the responsiveness is high and the accuracy is high. Control becomes possible, and steering feeling can be improved. Further, the number of parts and the weight are not increased as compared with the case where the steering device is formed separately from the outboard motor, and the space from the front (outboard side) of the outboard motor 10 to the rear part of the hull 12 is prevented. Does not impair.
[0041]
In addition, since the electric motor 42 is fixed to the lower portion 50A of the swivel case and the lower mount center housing 58 fixed to the swivel shaft 54 is rotated via gears to steer the propeller 22, the electric motor (ie, the drive) Portion) 42 and the lower mount center housing 58 (ie, steered portion) 56 can be arranged on the same straight line, thereby achieving further space saving (particularly space saving in the internal space of the outboard motor 10). In addition to this, it is possible to obtain a good responsiveness and good steering feeling without rattling or the like.
[0042]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the tiller 80 is provided on the mount frame 56, so that the steering can be performed manually, and the steering can be performed even when the electric motor 42 has a failure.
[0043]
Since the remaining configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, illustration and description are omitted.
[0044]
Next, an outboard motor steering apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
FIG. 8 is a partial explanatory perspective view showing a steering device for an outboard motor according to the third embodiment.
[0046]
The difference from the previous embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the output shaft reel gear 42a1 is fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor 42, and the swivel shaft 54 The swivel shaft reel gear 54a is fixed near the joint with the mount frame 56.
[0047]
The output shaft reel gear 42a1 and the swivel shaft reel gear 54a are connected by winding a cable 90 provided with a holder that meshes with the reel gear, and the output of the electric motor 42 is transmitted to the swivel shaft 54 by pushing and pulling the cable 90. You.
[0048]
That is, the cable 90 is advanced and retracted by the rotation output of the electric motor 42 and the swivel shaft 54 is rotated, whereby the horizontal steering of the outboard motor 10 is power assisted, and the propeller 22 and the rudder 23 are steered. You. It should be noted that also in this embodiment, the total steering angle of the outboard motor 10 is a total of 60 degrees of 30 degrees left turning and 30 degrees right turning.
[0049]
As described above, since the output shaft reel gear 42a1 and the swivel shaft reel gear 54a are connected by the cable 90, the relative positional relationship between the electric motor (drive unit) 42 and the swivel shaft (steered portion) 54 may be restricted. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the position of the electric motor 42 is increased, and the electric motor can be mounted at an arbitrary position inside the outboard motor. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electric motor 42 is fixed in the under cover 60 via the reel gear housing 92. Thus, further space saving can be achieved, and the electric motor 42 can be protected from seawater, dust, and the like.
[0050]
In addition, the electric motor 42 is fixed to the inside of the outboard motor 10 (the electric motor 42 is fixed to the inside of the outboard motor 10 because it is fixed in the under cover 60). Since the outer unit 10 is steered (rotated), highly responsive and accurate control can be performed, and the steering feeling can be improved. Further, the number of parts and the weight are not increased as compared with the case where the steering device is formed separately from the outboard motor, and the space from the front (outboard side) of the outboard motor 10 to the rear part of the hull 12 is prevented. Does not impair.
[0051]
Although not shown, the steering can also be manually performed by connecting the tiller 80 to the mount frame 56 in the same manner as in the second embodiment. Can be steered.
[0052]
Since the remaining configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, illustration and description are omitted.
[0053]
As described above, in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, an internal combustion engine (engine 16) is mounted on an upper portion, and a propeller 22 driven by the internal combustion engine is provided on a lower portion. The electric motor 42 is disposed inside the outboard motor 10 and the swivel shaft 54 is rotated by the output of the electric motor 42 to rotate the propeller. The rudder 22 (and rudder 23) is steered.
[0054]
In the first embodiment, the electric motor 42 is fixed to the upper part 50A of the swivel case 50, and the swivel shaft 54 is connected via gears (output shaft gear 42a, gear box 66, mount frame gear 56a). The propeller 22 (and the rudder 23) is steered by rotating a mount frame 56 fixed to the propeller 22.
[0055]
In the second embodiment, the electric motor 42 is fixed to the lower part 50B of the swivel case 50, and is fixed to the swivel shaft 54 via gears (output shaft gear 42a, lower mount center housing gear 58a). The propeller 22 (and rudder 23) is steered by rotating the mounted lower mount center housing 58.
[0056]
In the third embodiment, the rotation of the electric motor 42 is transmitted to the swivel shaft 54 via the reel gear (the output shaft reel gear 42a1, the swivel shaft reel gear 54a) and the cable 90.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the electric motor is arranged inside the outboard motor, and the output is used to rotate the swivel shaft to steer the propeller. Since good control is possible, the steering feeling can be improved. Further, since the structure of the steering device is simpler than the case where the steering device is formed separately from the outboard motor, the number of parts and the weight do not increase, and the steering device extends from the front (the hull side) to the rear of the hull. Space is not lost.
[0058]
According to the second aspect, the electric motor is fixed to the upper part of the swivel case, and the propeller is steered by rotating the mount frame fixed to the swivel shaft via the gear. The (drive unit) and the mount frame (steered unit) can be arranged on the same straight line, so that further space saving can be achieved, and there is no rattling or the like, and high responsiveness is achieved. A good steering feeling can be obtained.
[0059]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electric motor is fixed to the lower portion of the swivel case, and the lower mount center housing fixed to the swivel shaft is rotated via the gears to steer the propeller. The (drive unit) and the lower mount center housing (steered unit) can be arranged on the same straight line, so that further space saving can be achieved, and there is no rattling, etc. A high and good steering feeling can be obtained.
[0060]
Since the rotation of the electric motor is transmitted to the swivel shaft via the reel gear and the cable, there is no restriction on the relative positional relationship between the electric motor and the swivel shaft. When arranging, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position is increased, so that further space saving can be achieved, and the electric motor can be protected from seawater, dust and the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram generally showing a steering apparatus for an outboard motor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial explanatory side view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged explanatory side view of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged side view in which FIG. 3 is partially enlarged;
5 is an explanatory diagram of the electric motor, the swivel case, the gear box, and the mount frame shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from above.
FIG. 6 is a partial explanatory side view showing a steering device for an outboard motor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an explanatory view of the electric motor, swivel case, and lower mount center housing shown in FIG. 6 as viewed from below.
FIG. 8 is a partial explanatory perspective view showing a steering device for an outboard motor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a steering apparatus for an outboard motor according to the related art.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Outboard motor 12 Hull (ship)
16 engine (internal combustion engine)
22 Propeller 42 Electric motor 42a Output shaft gear 42a1 Output shaft reel gear 50 Swivel case 54 Swivel shaft 54a Swivel shaft reel gear 56 Mount frame 56a Mount frame gear 58 Lower mount center housing gear 58a Lower mount center housing gear 66 Gear box 90 Cable

Claims (4)

An outboard motor steering device having an internal combustion engine mounted on the upper part, a propeller driven by the internal combustion engine on the lower part, and mounted on the tail of the hull for propelling the hull. A steering device for an outboard motor, wherein a motor is arranged and a swivel shaft is rotated by an output of the electric motor to steer the propeller. The outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor is fixed to an upper portion of a swivel case, and the propeller is steered by rotating a mount frame fixed to the swivel shaft via a gear. Steering gear. 2. The ship according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor is fixed to a lower portion of a swivel case, and the propeller is steered by rotating a lower mount center housing fixed to the swivel shaft via a gear. Outer motor steering system. The steering apparatus for an outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the electric motor is transmitted to the swivel shaft via a reel gear and a cable.

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