JP2005280587A - Power steering device for small vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power steering device for a small vessel, which is easily operated with a light control force. <P>SOLUTION: The power steering device for the small vessel comprises: gear devices 25 and 26 steered by a steering wheel 2 of the driver's seat; an electric actuator 27 for assisting and driving the gear device in the steering direction in response to the steering torque; a torque sensor 35 for detecting the inputted steering torque from the steering wheel to the gear device; and a controller for taking a detected signal of the torque sensor, calculating it, and driving the electric actuator. A clutch device 40 is disposed between the electric actuator and the gear device, and is constituted by two sets of clutches 37 and 38. One clutch 38 controls the engagement of the electric actuator with the gear device, the other clutch 37 controls the engagement of the gear device with a fixed member that does not move in steering, and the controller controls the engagement of the clutch device in response to the detected value of the torque sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power steering device for a small ship in which steering of an outboard motor or rudder is power-assisted by an electric motor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a power assist technique using an electric motor has been proposed as a power steering device for a boat with an outboard motor (see Patent Document 1).

This transmits the operation of the steering handle arranged in the driver's seat to the outboard motor with an engine that is steerably supported at the rear of the boat through the wire, and rotates the outboard motor according to the steering amount of the steering handle. On the other hand, a power assist mechanism for rotating the outboard motor through the reduction gear with the rotational force of the electric motor is provided. The assist force by the electric motor is controlled by a controller (ECU) in accordance with a steering torque signal from a torque sensor that senses a steering torque by a steering force acting on the wire portion, an engine speed signal of an outboard motor, and the like. Yes.
Japanese Patent No. 2652788

  However, in the above-described conventional example, in a boat equipped with one outboard motor, there was a problem that the boat would turn unexpectedly even if the driver tried to go straight ahead. This is because even if an attempt is made to hold the steering handle straight, a force for steering the handle is generated by the rotational force of the screw, and the outboard motor rotates to generate a turning force on the boat. For example, when the screw rotates clockwise as viewed from the rear of the boat, a phenomenon occurs in which the boat turns right.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a power steering device for a small boat that improves the straight traveling performance of a boat.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gear device that is operated by a steering handle in a driver's seat and performs a steering operation, an electric actuator that assists the gear device in a steering operation direction according to a steering torque, and a gear device from the steering handle. In a power steering device for a small ship, comprising: a torque sensor that detects an input steering torque; and a controller that takes in a detection signal of the torque sensor, calculates and drives the electric actuator, and the electric actuator and the gear device A clutch device is provided between the two clutches. One clutch controls the engagement between the electric actuator and the gear device, and the other clutch is connected to the gear device on the fixed side. And the controller controls the engagement with the braking member. Selectively controlling engagement of said clutch device in accordance with the detected value of the sensor.

  In a second aspect based on the first aspect, when the detected value of the torque sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the controller engages the other clutch to fix the gear device.

  In a third aspect based on the first aspect, the controller engages the one clutch when the detected value of the torque sensor exceeds a predetermined value, and outputs the output of the electric actuator to the gear device. To communicate.

  In a fourth aspect based on the second aspect, the controller engages the other clutch when a state in which the detected value of the torque sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined value is maintained for a predetermined time or more.

  According to a fifth invention, in the first invention, each of the clutches constituting the clutch device is a friction engagement type clutch, and has a drive plate and a driven plate, and shares the drive plate.

  Therefore, in the first to third aspects of the invention, if the detected steering torque exceeds a predetermined value, the electric actuator and the gear device are engaged, and the driving force of the electric actuator is transmitted to the gear device to assist the steering. can do. If the steering torque is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the gear device is engaged with the braking member to restrain the movement of the gear device, and therefore steering of the steering handle connected to the gear device can be prohibited. Thus, for example, even when the steering force is transmitted to the steering handle by the rotational force of the screw during straight traveling, the gear device is fixed, so that the straight traveling state can be maintained without the driver operating the steering handle.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, since the gear device and the braking member are connected when the steering torque is equal to or less than a predetermined value and continues for a predetermined time, the straight traveling state can be reliably determined.

  In the fifth invention, since the clutch drive plate is supplied by two clutches, it is possible to reduce the size and space of the clutch device and to reduce the cost.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a power steering device for a small boat to which the present invention is applied, and shows a device equipped with an outboard motor as a steering means. Hereinafter, power steering for a small vessel equipped with an outboard motor as a steering means will be described. However, a power steering for a small vessel equipped with a rudder equipped with a propulsion device on the hull and used only for steering (without a built-in propulsion device). Can be applied as it is by replacing the outboard motor with a rudder.

  A hull which is installed in the driver's seat of the hull 1 and has a gear device 4 and a power assist device 5 for converting the steering operation of the steering handle 2 into a push-pull operation of the push-pull cable 3, and an outboard motor 6 as a steering means. 1 and a link mechanism 7 that turns the outboard motor 6 in response to the push-pull operation of the push-pull cable 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the outboard motor 6 is a bevel gear (not shown) built in the gear housing 12 via a drive shaft (not shown) built in the drive shaft housing 11. The outboard motor main body 6 </ b> A configured to transmit to the propeller 13 via the propeller 13 is generated, and the propulsion force of the small vessel is generated by the rotation of the propeller 13. The outboard motor main body 6A is supported by a vertical shaft 14A (pilot shaft) provided on the swivel bracket 14 so as to be able to rotate in a horizontal plane. The swivel bracket 14 is supported by a clamp bracket 15 that holds the transom of the hull 1 through a horizontal shaft 15A (clamp bracket shaft) and is fixed to the hull 1. The swivel bracket 14 and the outboard motor main body 6A are viewed from the side of the ship. It can be flipped up counterclockwise in the figure.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the link mechanism 7 transmits the push-pull operation of the push-pull cable 3 to the steering bracket 16 that is fixed to the outboard motor main body 6 </ b> A and extends to the hull 1 side via the drag link 17. Thus, the outboard motor 6 is turned by steering. For this reason, the end fitting 3B of the outer cable 3A of the push-pull cable 3 is fixed to the clamp bracket 15, and the tip rod 3C of the inner cable of the push-pull cable 3 protruding from the end fitting 3B of the outer cable 3A is dragged. 17 is connected. In the illustrated example, the end fitting 3B of the outer cable 3A is configured to also serve as the clamp bracket shaft 15A by passing through the clamp bracket 15 and the swivel bracket 14 and being fixed to the clamp bracket 15 with a nut. Accordingly, the outboard motor main body 6A is rotated in the horizontal plane via the vertical axis 14A via the drag link 17 and the steering bracket 16 by the push-pull movement of the inner cable of the push-pull cable 3, and is steered. The drag link 17 and the steering bracket 16 constitute a link mechanism 7.

  The gear device 4 is composed of a rack and pinion, as shown in FIGS. The rack gear 20 pushes and pulls the inner wire of the push-pull cable 3 by its movement. The pinion gear 21 is provided integrally with the output shaft 22. The output shaft 22 is connected to a steering shaft 23 connected to the steering handle 2 via a torsion bar 24, and receives a driving force from an electric motor 27 as an electric actuator via a worm gear 25 and a worm wheel 26. ing. In other words, the output shaft 22 is rotatably supported on the gear case 19 by a tip-side bearing 22A and a large-diameter bearing 22B which are both ends of the pinion gear 21, and a worm wheel 26 is integrally fixed adjacent to the large-diameter bearing 22B. On the rear end (steering handle 2) side, the front end of the steering shaft 23 is rotatably supported, and the front end of the torsion bar 24 is fixed by serration or the like. Further, a torque pin 28 is disposed at the rear end of the output shaft 22 so as to protrude outward. The gear case 19 is fixed to the dashboard DB of the driver's seat with mounting screws or the like.

  The steering shaft 23 is also rotatably supported by the gear case 19 by a bearing 29, the rear end portion is connected to the steering handle 2, and a torsion bar 24 having a rear end fixed by a pin is provided in the hollow interior. . A torque ring 30 that is engaged by helical spline or involute helical serration is mounted on the outer periphery of the steering shaft 23.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the torque ring 30 includes a circumferential groove 31 provided on the outer periphery, and a groove 32 that engages with the torque pin 28 of the output shaft 22 parallel to the axial direction. Includes a helical spline or involute helical serration that engages with the outer periphery of the steering shaft 23, and a detection pin 36 of a position detection device that functions as a torque sensor 35 is fitted in the circumferential groove 31. For this reason, the torque ring 30 is movable in the axial direction and rotates integrally with the output shaft 22 by the engagement of the torque pin 28 and the groove 32.

  The torque ring 30 is engaged with the outer periphery of the steering shaft 23 by helical spline or helical serration when transmitting the steering torque by the operation of the steering handle 2 from the steering shaft 23 to the output shaft 22 via the torsion bar 24. The axial movement of the torsion bar 24 in accordance with the amount of vibration generated in the torsion bar 24, that is, the relative rotational amount of the output shaft 22 and the steering shaft 23, is detected by the detection pin 36 engaged with the circumferential groove 31. Is moved in the axial direction and is detected as a steering torque by the torque sensor 35.

  The torque ring 30 is movable in the axial direction by the torque pin 28 and the axial groove 32 with respect to the output shaft 22 and is connected so as to rotate integrally in the rotational direction, and is inclined with respect to the steering shaft 23. Although connected by a helical spline or helical serration is described, although not shown, it is connected by a helical spline or helical serration that is inclined with respect to the output shaft 22 and is movable in the axial direction with respect to the steering shaft 23. Even if they are connected so as to rotate integrally in the rotational direction, they can be operated in the same manner as described above.

  The worm wheel 26 is engaged with the worm gear 25. As shown in FIG. 10, the worm gear 25 is rotatably supported by a gear case 19, and an assist motor 27 is connected to one end of the worm gear 25 via a clutch assembly 40 shown in FIG. The driving force of the assist motor 27 is transmitted to the worm gear 25, the worm gear 25 is fixed, or the worm gear 25 is disconnected from the assist motor 27 according to the excitation state of a clutch assembly 40 described later. The assist motor 27, the worm gear 25, the worm wheel 26, and the clutch assembly 40 constitute the power assist device 5.

  FIG. 11 is a detailed configuration diagram of the clutch assembly 40 that controls the connection state between the worm gear 25 and the assist motor 27.

  The clutch assembly 40 is housed in a bracket (fixed side braking member) 50 that fixes the assist motor 27 to the gear case 19. The clutch assembly 40 includes a clutch plate (drive plate) 33, a drive plate (driven plate) 34 that contacts the clutch plate 33, and a brake plate (driven) that contacts the clutch plate 33 and the drive plate 34 from the opposite surface. Plate) 36, and a drive / braking coil assembly 38, 37 for controlling the engagement of the clutch plate 33 and each plate. Since the drive coil assembly 38 and the brake coil assembly 37 share the clutch plate 33 which is a drive plate, the number of parts of the clutch assembly 40 can be reduced and the space can be reduced.

  An output shaft 27 a of the assist motor 27 is rotatably supported on the partition wall 50 a of the bracket 50 via a first bearing 51. The output shaft 27a protrudes from the first bearing 51 toward the worm gear 25, and a first bearing 52 that supports the clutch plate 33 rotatably with respect to the output shaft 27a is fixed to the protruding portion 27c. Further, a serration 27b is formed on the output shaft 27a between the first and second bearings, and the hub 34b of the drive plate 34 is fitted and fixed to the serration 27b. Further, the shaft portion 25a of the worm gear 25 is connected to the boss hole 33d at the center of the clutch plate 33 by serration coupling.

  An annular drive coil assembly 38 is installed between the drive plate 34 and the partition wall 50 a of the bracket 50. The drive coil assembly 38 is fixed to the inner periphery of the bracket 50, has a certain gap from the end surface of the drive plate 34, and the drive plate 34 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the drive coil assembly 38. The drive coil assembly 38 includes a coil 38 a, a bobbin 38 b around which the coil 38 a is wound, and a yoke 38 c that fixes the coil bobbin 38 b to the bracket 50.

  The clutch plate 33 and the drive plate 34 have flat portions 33a and 34a that face each other. When the coil 38a is excited, the flat portion 33a of the clutch plate 33 is displaced, and the flat portions of the clutch plate 33 and the drive plate 34 If 33a and 34a contact | abut and excitation is cancelled | released, the plane parts 33a and 34a will cancel | release contact | abut. Therefore, by exciting the coil 38a and bringing the clutch plate 33 and the drive plate 34 into contact with each other, the driving force of the assist motor 27 is transmitted to the worm gear 25 and the steering force can be assisted.

  On the other hand, a flat surface portion 33 b is formed on the surface opposite to the flat surface portion 33 a of the clutch plate 33. The flat surface portion 33b is provided with the flat surface portion 36a of the brake plate 36 facing the flat surface portion 33b. The brake plate 36 is fixed to the brake coil assembly 37.

  The brake coil assembly 37 is fixed to the inner periphery of the bracket 50, and includes a coil 37a, a bobbin 37b around which the coil 37a is wound, and a yoke 37c that fixes the coil bobbin 37b to the bracket 50. When the coil 37a is excited, the clutch plate 33 is displaced, the clutch plate 33 and the flat portions 33b, 36a of the brake plate 36 come into contact, and when the excitation is released, the flat portions 33b, 36a release the contact. Therefore, the worm gear 25 is fixed by exciting the coil 37a and bringing the clutch plate 33 and the brake plate 36 into contact, and the steering handle 2 connected to the worm wheel 26 can be fixed. Therefore, by fixing the steering handle 2 in the straight traveling state, it is possible to prevent unintentional turning of the hull during straight traveling due to the rotational force of the screw.

  The excitation of the drive coil assembly 38 and the brake coil assembly 37 to the coils is controlled by a controller (not shown) that performs integrated control of the power steering device.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating clutch control performed by the controller. This clutch control is performed at regular time intervals.

  First, in step S1, the steering torque T is detected using a torque sensor. Next, in step S2, the detected steering torque T is compared with a predetermined value Tt, and if it is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the vehicle is in a straight traveling state, and the process proceeds to step S3. 2 is determined to be operated, and the process proceeds to step S5. In the normal straight traveling state, the steering torque is almost zero, and the predetermined value Tt that is a threshold value for determining that the hull is in the straight traveling state is a value close to zero. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the straight traveling time t has continued for a predetermined time t1. When it continues for the predetermined time Tt or longer, it is finally determined that the vehicle is in a straight traveling state.

  In step S4, since the hull is in a straight traveling state, clutch control is performed so as to maintain this straight traveling state. That is, the coil 37a of the braking coil assembly 37 is excited and the excitation of the drive coil assembly 38 to the coil 38a is prohibited or reduced. Therefore, the clutch plate 33 engages with the brake coil assembly 37, and the worm wheel 26 is restricted from rotating at that position. In this case, even if the steering handle 2 is not held, the hull maintains a straight traveling state.

  In step S5, since steering torque is generated and it can be determined that the vehicle is in the steering state, clutch control is performed to assist the steering state. That is, the coil 38a of the drive coil assembly 38 is excited and the excitation of the brake coil assembly 37 to the coil 37a is prohibited or reduced. As a result, the driving force of the assist motor 27 is transmitted to the steering wheel 2 via the worm gear 25 and the worm wheel 26, and the steering force can be assisted.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the clutch plate 33 coupled to the worm gear 25 is installed between the assist motor 27 for assisting the steering force of the steering handle 2 and the worm gear 25 that drives the worm wheel 26, and this clutch plate 33. Brake / drive clutch assemblies 37, 38 are provided on both sides of the motor. One drive clutch assembly 38 controls the connection (engagement) between the clutch plate 33 and the assist motor 27, and the other brake clutch assembly 37 includes a clutch plate. The connection between 33 and the bracket 50 is controlled.

  When one drive clutch assembly 38 is excited and the other brake clutch assembly 37 is not excited, the clutch plate 33 is engaged with one clutch assembly 38 and the driving force of the assist motor 27 drives the worm gear 25. And transmitted to the worm wheel 26. Thereby, the steering force of the steering handle 2 is assisted.

  When the other brake clutch assembly 37 is excited and one drive clutch assembly 38 is not excited, the clutch plate 33 is engaged with the other clutch assembly 37 and the worm gear 25 is engaged with the brake member 50. Rotation of the worm gear 25 and the worm wheel 26 is prohibited, and steering cannot be performed. That is, in the straight traveling state of the ship, even if the steering force due to the rotational force of the screw acts on the steering handle 2, the worm wheel 26 is fixed, so that the steering handle 2 maintains the straight traveling state, and the driver handles the steering handle 2 The hull can maintain a straight traveling state without steering.

  This is a power steering device that facilitates steering operation in a state where the ship is traveling straight, and is particularly useful for small ships equipped with outboard motors.

The perspective view of the power steering device for small ships which shows one Embodiment of this invention. The side view which similarly shows the outboard motor as a steering means. The top view of a link mechanism similarly. The top view of the gear apparatus and power assist apparatus of a power steering apparatus. The side view of the gear apparatus and power assist apparatus of a power steering apparatus. The side view from the handle | steering-wheel side of the gear apparatus and power assist apparatus of a power steering apparatus. The side view by the side of the gear apparatus of the gear apparatus of a power steering apparatus and a power assist apparatus. Sectional drawing of the gear apparatus and power assist apparatus of a power steering apparatus. The enlarged view of the torque ring of a power steering device. Sectional drawing of the power assist apparatus of a power steering apparatus. Detailed view of clutch assembly. The flowchart explaining the control content of a clutch assembly.

Explanation of symbols

1 Hull 2 Steering handle 3 Push-pull cable (connection means)
4, 4A gear device 5 power assist device 6 outboard motor as steering means 7 link mechanism 20 rack 21 pinion 22 output shaft 23 steering shaft 24 torsion bar 25 worm gear 26 worm wheel 27 electric motor (electric actuator)
30 Torque Ring 33 Clutch Plate 34 Drive Plate 34a Flat Part 35 Torque Sensor 36 Braking Plate 36a Flat Part 37 Braking Coil Assembly 37a Coil 37b Bobbin 37c Yoke 38 Drive Coil Assembly 38a Coil 38b Bobbin 38c Yoke 40 Clutch Assembly

Claims (5)

A gear device that is operated by a steering handle of a driver's seat and performs a steering operation;
An electric actuator that assists and drives the gear device in a steering operation direction according to a steering torque;
A torque sensor for detecting a steering torque input to the gear device from the steering handle;
In a power steering device for a small vessel, comprising a controller that takes in a detection signal of the torque sensor, calculates and drives an electric actuator,
A clutch device is provided between the electric actuator and the gear device,
This clutch device is composed of two sets of clutches, one clutch controls the engagement between the electric actuator and the gear device, and the other clutch engages between the gear device and a fixed braking member. Control
The power steering device for a small boat, wherein the controller selectively controls engagement of the clutch device according to a detection value of the torque sensor.   2. The power for a small boat according to claim 1, wherein when the detected value of the torque sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the controller engages the other clutch to fix the gear device. Steering device.   2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein when the detected value of the torque sensor exceeds a predetermined value, the controller engages the one clutch and transmits the output of the electric actuator to the gear device. The power steering apparatus for small ships as described.   3. The power steering for a small boat according to claim 2, wherein the controller engages the other clutch when a state where the detected value of the torque sensor is not more than a predetermined value is maintained for a predetermined time or more. apparatus. 2. The power for a small boat according to claim 1, wherein each of the clutches constituting the clutch device is a friction engagement type clutch, and has a drive plate and a driven plate, and shares the drive plate. Steering device.

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