JP2004196041A - Trim operation device of small surface boat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an operating property of a trim operation device of a small surface boat to swing a direction of a nozzle to jet jet water upward or downward. <P>SOLUTION: A trim operation lever 12 of the trim operation device of the small surface boat is furnished with an upward lever 16 to swing the steering nozzle to regulate a jetting direction of the jet water upward and to grip with a finger except for a thumb, a downward lever 17 to swing the steering nozzle downward and to grip with a finger except for the thumb and a control device to control the direction of the steering nozzle in the upward and downward directions in accordance with operation information of these upward/downward levers 16, 17. The trim operation lever is provided on the side of a left grip 56. Trim operation is carried out by fingering the upward lever or the downward lever with the finger except for the thumb from a state of gripping the left grip with a left hand. It is possible to control the directions in the upward and downward directions of the nozzle with the finger except for the thumb, not necessary to leave the thumb from the grip and possible to keep strongly gripping the grip with the thumb and remaining fingers while carrying out the trim operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a trim operating device for a small watercraft that swings a jet water jet nozzle upward or downward.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional trim operation device for a small watercraft, there has been known a trim operation device that operates an operation unit provided on a handle to electrically change a direction of a nozzle (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2001-1987 (page 3-6, FIG. 2)
[0004]
Patent Document 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a conventional trim operating device for a watercraft (a copy of FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1).
The conventional trim operation device performs a trim operation by moving a left hand to the rotation lever 11a from a state in which the grip 11 at the left end of the steering handle 1 is gripped, and rotating the rotation lever 11a by a predetermined rotation angle with the left hand. . After that, even if the left hand is released from the rotating lever 11a, the rotating lever 11a stops at the position of the predetermined rotation angle, so that the left hand can be returned to the grip 11, and the grip 11 can be re-gripped. It is easy.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the trim operation device shown in FIG. 9, when performing the trim operation, it is necessary to move the left hand from the grip 11 to the rotation lever 11a and rotate the rotation lever 11a with the thumb once. become weak. In particular, a small watercraft that clings to the steering wheel 1 and rides on it is difficult to operate during hard driving, and operability is not always good.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a trim operation device for a small watercraft that improves the operability of the trim operation.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in claim 1, when the trim operation lever attached to the steering handle is gripped, the nozzle for jetting jet water is swung upward or downward from normal, and when the grip is released, the nozzle is oriented in the normal direction. In a small watercraft that can be returned to the upper position, the trim operation lever includes an upper lever that swings the nozzle upward and is gripped by a finger other than the thumb, and a lower lever that swings the nozzle downward and grips the finger other than the thumb. A control device for controlling the vertical direction of the nozzle based on the operation information of the upper and lower levers.
[0008]
When the trim operation lever is provided on the left grip side, the trim operation is performed by hanging the left index finger on the upper lever or the lower lever while holding the left grip with the left hand. That is, the vertical direction of the nozzle can be controlled by a finger other than the thumb, so that the thumb does not need to be separated from the grip, and the thumb and the remaining fingers can hold the grip firmly while performing the trim operation.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a trim operation button attached to a steering handle is pressed, a nozzle for jetting jet water is swung upward or downward from a normal state, and when the button is released, a small water surface capable of returning the nozzle to a normal direction. In a boat, the trim operation button includes an upper button that swings the nozzle upward and is pushed by a finger other than the thumb, a lower button that swings the nozzle downward and is pushed by a finger other than the thumb, and these upper and lower buttons. A control device for controlling the vertical direction of the nozzle based on the operation information.
[0010]
When the trim operation button is provided on the left grip side, the trim operation is performed by pressing the upper button or the lower button with the index finger of the left hand while holding the left grip with the left hand. That is, the vertical direction of the nozzle can be controlled by a finger other than the thumb, so that the thumb does not need to be separated from the grip, and the thumb and the remaining fingers can hold the grip firmly while performing the trim operation.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be viewed in the direction of reference numerals. “Left” and “right” refer to the state as seen from the driver.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a trim operating device for a small watercraft according to the present invention.
The trim operating device 11 includes a trim operating lever 12, trim driving means 13 driven by the trim operating lever 12, and a steering nozzle 14 as a nozzle operated by the trim driving means 13.
[0012]
The trim operation lever 12 includes an upper lever 16, a lower lever 17, and a control device 18. When the driver grips the upper lever 16 or the lower lever 17, operation information E (upper operation information) corresponding to the grip is obtained. Eu and the lower operation information Ed) are output from the control device 18 to the trim drive means 13.
[0013]
The trim drive means 13 includes an electric motor 21, a sensor 22 for detecting the number of revolutions of the electric motor 21, a speed reducer 23 connected to the electric motor 21, an arm member 24 attached to the speed reducer 23, and a pusher connected to the arm member 24. At the same time as changing the direction of the steering nozzle 14 in the upward direction (the direction of the arrow (1)) or in the downward direction (the direction of the arrow (2)) based on the operation information E from the control device 18, The position (angle) of the steering nozzle 14 is indirectly detected by the sensor 22, and the position information B of the steering nozzle 14 is returned to the control device 18.
Next, the trim operating device 11 of the small watercraft 30 will be specifically described.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the small watercraft according to the present invention. The small watercraft 30 includes a hull 32, a hull 31 formed of a deck 33 joined on the hull 32, and a substantially central portion of the deck 33. A steering handle 34 disposed, a seat 35 provided on a rear portion of the steering handle 34 and mounted on a deck 33, a fuel tank 36 and an engine 37 mounted at the center of a hull 32, and a water jet propulsion connected to the engine 37. Device 38, a steering nozzle 14 as a nozzle provided behind the water jet propulsion device 38, a trim driving means 13 connected to the steering nozzle 14, and a steering wheel 34 for outputting information to the trim driving means 13. Trim operating lever 12.
The water jet propulsion device 38 jets jet water.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the steering nozzle according to the present invention, and shows that the steering nozzle 14 is held in a normal direction by the trim driving means 13.
The steering nozzle 14 has a ring member 41 attached to the water jet propulsion device 38 so as to be able to swing upward (in the direction of arrow 1) or downward (in the direction of arrow 2). 42 is attached so as to be swingable in the left-right direction (the direction of arrow (3)), and adjusts the jetting direction of the jet water.
[0016]
The ring member 41 is formed on the left and right sides (front and back of the figure) of the ring main body 43 so as to connect the first receiving portions 44, 44 (not shown) to the water jet propulsion device 38, and vertically extends the second receiving portions. 45 and 46 were formed so as to be connected to the nozzle body 42. θu indicates a trim swing angle when the nozzle body 42 swings above the normal together with the ring member 41, and θd indicates a trim swing angle when the nozzle body 42 swings below the normal together with the ring member 41.
[0017]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the trim operation lever according to the present invention. Specifically, the trim operation lever 12 has a support member 51 attached to the steering handle 34, and the upper lever 16 and the The lower lever 17 is attached with a bolt 52, the upper lever detector 53 is attached to the steering handle 34 so as to contact the upper lever 16, and the lower lever detector 54 is attached to the steering handle 34 so as to contact the lower lever 17. The upper and lower lever detectors 53 and 54 are connected to the controller 18 (see FIG. 2), and the upper and lower lever detectors 53 and 54 are covered with an operation cover 55. Reference numeral 56 denotes a left grip.
[0018]
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the trim operation lever according to the present invention. The upper lever 16 and the lower lever 17 of the trim operation lever 12, the upper lever detector 53 that contacts the upper lever 16, and the lower lever 17 have already been described. The abutting lower lever detector 54 is shown.
[0019]
The upper lever detector 53 has a detection unit 57. When the detection unit 57 is pressed at the center of the upper lever 16, the detection unit 57 is turned “ON”, outputs a signal, and automatically releases when the finger is released from the upper lever 16. And returns to “OFF”. Such an upper lever detector 53 is, for example, a detector such as a limit switch (including a micro switch), and has a structure of an actuator unit (corresponding to the detection unit 57) which directly contacts and detects the upper lever 16. , Preferably a plunger.
[0020]
The lower lever detector 54 is the same as the upper lever detector 53.
The finger length of the upper lever 16 was set to Lu.
The finger hook length of the lower lever 17 is Ld, and the finger hook length Ld is longer than the finger hook length Lu of the upper lever 16 by a distance Lf. Reference numeral 61 denotes an extension of the lower lever 17.
[0021]
The operation of the trim operating device for a small watercraft described above will now be described.
FIG. 6 is a first operational view of the trim operating device according to the present invention, showing the operation of the trim operating lever 12 when the lifting of the bow of a small surface craft is suppressed.
When the driver 71 drives the small watercraft 30 by holding the left grip 56 with the left hand 72 and performs a trim operation for suppressing the rise of the bow from this driving posture, the index finger 73 as a finger other than the thumb of the left hand 72. When the upper lever 16 is pulled as shown by the arrow (4), the thumb 74 does not separate from the left grip 56. Therefore, while performing the trim operation, the left grip 56 is moved to the arrow (5) with the remaining three fingers and the thumb 74. You can continue to hold as strongly. Therefore, the operability of the trim operation can be improved.
[0022]
When the upper lever 16 is pulled by the forefinger 73 as shown by the arrow (4), the detecting portion 57 of the upper lever detector 53 (see FIG. 5) moves backward against a spring in the upper lever detector (not shown). (In the direction of arrow <6>) and the detector is turned "ON", and at the same time, outputs the detection information Su shown in Fig. 1 to the control device 18, and based on the detection information Su, the control device 18 outputs the upper operation information Eu. Since the output is output to the electric motor 21 of the trim drive means 13, the electric motor 21 shown in FIG. 3 pushes the push-pull wire 25 via the speed reducer 23 and the arm member 24 (in the direction of arrow {circle around (7)}) based on the upper operation information Eu. Thus, the steering nozzle 14 can be turned downward by the trim swing angle θd as shown by the arrow (2).
[0023]
The operation for returning to the normal state is such that when the index finger 73 is released from the upper lever 16 in FIG. 6 and the grip is released, the detecting portion 57 moves forward (in the direction opposite to the arrow {circle around (6)}) by the spring in the upper lever detector. , The upper lever 16 is returned, and the upper lever detector is turned "OFF". As a result, the control device returns the arm member 24 of the trim drive means 13 to the origin and returns the steering nozzle 14 to the normal direction as shown by the solid line in FIG.
[0024]
FIG. 7 is a second operation view of the trim operating device according to the present invention, and shows the operation of the trim operating lever 12 when the sink of the bow of a small watercraft is suppressed.
When the driver 71 performs a trim operation to suppress the sinking of the bow from the driving posture in which the left hand grips the left grip 56, the extension 61 of the lower lever 17 is pointed by the index finger 73 (or the middle finger) of the left hand 72. When the thumb 74 is pulled as shown by a, the thumb 74 does not separate from the left grip 56, so that the thumb 74 can continue to hold the left grip 56 strongly as indicated by the arrow (5) while performing the trim operation. Therefore, operability can be improved even when performing a trim operation for suppressing the sinking of the bow.
[0025]
When the lower lever 17 is pulled as shown by the arrow a, the detecting portion 57 of the lower lever detector 54 (see FIG. 5) moves backward against a spring in the lower lever detector (not shown) (arrow 6). At the same time, the detection information Sd shown in FIG. 1 is output to the control device 18, and the control device 18 outputs the lower operation information Ed to the electric motor 21 of the trim drive means 13 based on the detection information Sd. The electric motor 21 shown in FIG. 3 pulls the push-pull wire 25 (in the direction of arrow b) via the speed reducer 23 and the arm member 24 on the basis of the information Ed, thereby moving the steering nozzle 14 to the trim swing angle θu as shown by arrow {circle around (1)}. (See FIG. 3).
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4, the trim operation lever 12 has a structure in which upper and lower levers 16 and 17 and upper and lower lever detectors 53 (see FIG. 5) and 54 (see FIG. 5) are provided near the left grip 56. Therefore, the structure is simplified, and the production cost can be reduced.
[0027]
Next, another embodiment of the trim operating device for a small watercraft according to the present invention will be described.
8A and 8B are diagrams showing another embodiment, in which FIG. 8A is a plan view of the trim operation button 81, and FIG. 8B is a front view of the trim operation button 81. The same components as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0028]
In (a), the trim operation button 81 swings the steering nozzle 14 (see FIG. 3) upward, and swings the upper button 82 pressed by a finger other than the thumb and the steering nozzle 14 (see FIG. 3) downward. At the same time, based on the lower button 83 (see (b)) pressed by a finger other than the thumb and the upper and lower operation information Eu (see FIG. 1) and Ed (see FIG. 1) of these upper and lower buttons, the steering nozzle 14 is turned on. (See FIG. 3) and a control device 18 (see FIG. 1) for controlling the vertical direction.
The upper button 82 is, for example, a push button switch, and is turned “ON” when pressed by a finger, and automatically returns to “OFF” when released.
The lower button 83 is the same as the upper button 82.
[0029]
In (b), when performing a trim operation to suppress the rise of the bow from the driving posture, when the upper button 82 is pressed by the index finger 73 of the left hand 72 as shown by an arrow c (see (a)), the thumb 74 is moved to the left grip. Since the player does not leave the left grip 56, the thumb 74 can continue to hold the left grip 56 strongly as indicated by the arrow (5) while performing the trim operation. Therefore, the operability of the trim operation can be improved.
[0030]
The configuration for outputting the upper operation information Eu (see FIG. 1) by pressing the upper button 82 of the trim operation button 81 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0031]
Next, when performing a trim operation for suppressing the sinking of the bow from the driving posture, when the lower button 83 is pressed with the index finger 73 of the left hand 72, the thumb 74 does not separate from the left grip 56. While performing the trim operation for pressing the left grip 56 with the thumb 74, as shown by the arrow (5). Therefore, operability can be improved even when performing a trim operation for suppressing the sinking of the bow.
[0032]
The configuration for outputting the lower operation information Ed (see FIG. 1) by pressing the lower button 83 of the trim operation button 81 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.
[0033]
In the trim operation button 81 according to another embodiment, compared to the trim operation lever 12, parts such as the upper and lower levers 16 and 17 can be omitted to reduce the number of parts, thereby further reducing production costs. be able to.
[0034]
Although the trim operation lever 12 shown in the embodiment of the present invention has the condition that one of the lower levers 17 is gripped, it is also possible to grip two of them at the same time. For example, the condition of the control device 18 (when the two levers are “ON”) is such that when the two upper and lower levers 16 and 17 are gripped together, the same operation as when only the lower lever 17 is gripped is performed. Is there any?) When the upper and lower levers 16 and 17 are gripped together, the operability can be further improved.
[0035]
Although the vertical swing angle of the steering nozzle 14 is only θu and θd (for example, θu = θd = 25 °), the trim swing angles θu and θd can be switched between two stages according to the setting conditions of the control device 18. Can also be set to For example, when a switching button is provided on the steering handle 34 and the switching button is set to “low”, the trim swing angles θu and θd become θu = θd = 10 °, and when the switching button is set to “high”, the trim swing angles θu and θd become , Θu = θd = 25 °. As a result, performance can be further improved.
Although the trim operation lever 12 is operated with the index finger 73 as a finger other than the thumb, the trim operation lever 12 may be operated with a finger other than the index finger 73.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention has the following effects by the above configuration.
According to the first aspect, the trim operation lever attached to the steering handle of the small watercraft swings the nozzle upward, and the upper lever which is gripped by a finger other than the thumb, and the nozzle which swings the nozzle downward by the finger other than the thumb. Since it has a lower lever to be gripped and a control device for controlling the vertical direction of the nozzle based on the operation information of the upper and lower levers, the vertical direction of the nozzle can be controlled with a finger other than the thumb. This eliminates the need to remove the thumb from the grip and allows the thumb to continue gripping the grip strongly. As a result, the operability of the trim operation can be improved.
[0037]
According to claim 2, the trim operation button attached to the steering handle includes an upper button for swinging the nozzle upward and pushing with a finger other than the thumb, and a lower button for swinging the nozzle downward and pushing with the finger other than the thumb. A control device for controlling the vertical direction of the nozzle based on the operation information of these upper and lower buttons, so that the vertical direction of the nozzle can be controlled by a finger other than the thumb, The grip does not need to be separated from the grip, and the grip can be held firmly with the thumb. As a result, the operability of the trim operation can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of a trim operation device for a small watercraft according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the small watercraft according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a steering nozzle according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a trim operating lever according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the trim operating lever according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a first operation diagram of the trim operating device according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 8 is a view of another embodiment of FIG. 9; FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of a conventional watercraft trim operation device.
11: Trim operation device, 12: Trim operation lever, 14: Nozzle (steering nozzle), 16: Upper lever, 17: Lower lever, 18: Control device, 30: Small watercraft, 34: Steering handle, E: Operation information Eu: upper operation information, Ed: lower operation information, 74: thumb, 71: trim operation button, 81: trim operation button, 82: upper button, 83: lower button, θd: trim swing angle when swinging downward , Θu: Trim swing angle when swinging upward.

Claims (2)

A small watercraft that can swing a nozzle for jetting jet water upward or downward than usual when the trim operation lever attached to the steering handle is gripped, and release the grip to return the nozzle to a normal orientation,
The trim operation lever includes an upper lever that swings the nozzle upward and is gripped by a finger other than the thumb, a lower lever that swings the nozzle downward and is gripped by a finger other than the thumb, And a control device that controls the vertical direction of the nozzle based on the operation information of the trimming device. When a trim operation button attached to a steering handle is pressed, a nozzle for jetting jet water is swung upward or downward from a normal position, and when the button is released, the small watercraft capable of returning the nozzle to a normal direction.
The trim operation button includes an upper button for swinging the nozzle upward and pressing with a finger other than the thumb, a lower button for swinging the nozzle downward and pressing with a finger other than the thumb, and an upper and lower button for these. And a control device that controls the vertical direction of the nozzle based on the operation information of the trimming device.

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