JP2007008282A - Steering mechanism for outboard motor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a connecting mechanism of a cylinder for drive with an outboard motor, to reduce its play, and to facilitate maintenance, in a steering mechanism for an outboard motor. <P>SOLUTION: The connecting mechanism 60 connects a steering arm 61 rotated together with the outboard motor 2 with a steering arm 61. The connecting mechanism 60 is constituted of a spherical bearing including a spherical body and an outer cover body engaged to the periphery of the spherical body. Since the connection portion relatively rotated is only one portion, it is advantageous in reduction of play and simplification of maintenance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering mechanism that controls the direction of an outboard motor of a small boat.

1 to 3 show an outboard motor disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG. An outboard motor 2 is attached to the rear portion of the small boat 1. The outboard motor 2 is rotated about the steering axis A by the steering mechanism 5 using hydraulic pressure and changes its direction. Further, by tilting up the outboard motor 2 about the tilt axis B, the screw portion 3 can be moved onto the water surface.
Although the steering mechanism 5 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 1, the steering mechanism 5 actually exists on the other side of the outboard motor 2 in FIG.

In Patent Document 1, the direction of the outboard motor 2 is operated by reciprocating the steering cylinder 10 along the piston rod 11. The cylinder 10 is connected to the outboard motor 2 via the rotating plate 13 and the steering arm 14 (FIG. 2). When the cylinder 10 is reciprocated by the hydraulic pressure, the steering arm 14 is rotationally driven, whereby the direction of the outboard motor 2 is changed.
When the outboard motor 2 changes its direction, the steering arm 14 rotates integrally with the outboard motor 2. The rotation plate 13 is connected to the steering arm 14 so as to be rotatable. When the steering arm 14 rotates, the rotation plate 13 reciprocates left and right while holding the cylinder 10 (FIG. 3).
The cylinder 10 is connected to the rotation plate 13 in the cylinder arms 10a and 10b. When the cylinder 10 slides from the center position in FIG. 3A to the position in FIG. 3B, the connecting portion 20 between the rotating plate 13 and the steering arm 14 moves away from the cylinder 10 (upward in FIG. 3). Move in the direction. At this time, the cylinder 10 rotates around the piston rod 11, and the movement of the connecting portion 20 is absorbed by the lengths of the cylinder arms 10a and 10b.

  As described above, in Patent Document 1, the cylinder 10 is rotatably connected to the rotating plate 13 (first rotating connecting portion), and the rotating plate 13 is rotatable relative to the steering arm 14. It is connected (2nd rotation connection part).

FIG. 4 shows an outboard motor steering mechanism of the same type disclosed in Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, a cylinder 31 that is reciprocally driven by hydraulic pressure along the longitudinal direction of a piston rod 30 is connected to a steering arm 35 via a first rotation connection portion 32 and a second rotation connection portion 33. Yes. When the cylinder 31 reciprocates, the outboard motor 2 rotates about the steering axis A and changes its direction.
When the cylinder 31 slides from the central position in FIG. 4 to one of the end portions, the second rotation connecting portion 33 moves away from the cylinder 30 (toward the outboard motor 2). At this time, the cylinder 31 rotates about the piston rod 30 and the piston rod 30 rotates about the tilt axis B, thereby absorbing the movement of the second rotation connecting portion 33.

US Pat. No. 5,997,370 US Pat. No. 5,092,801

  In the steering mechanisms disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the steering arm that rotates integrally with the outboard motor and the steering cylinder are connected via the first and second rotating connecting portions. Has been. In general, since the rotational connection of the two members occurs in the rotating connecting portion, rattling is likely to occur in the connecting portion. Moreover, when using the ship provided with the said outboard motor in the sea, the salt content in seawater adheres to a rotation connection part, and the problem of preventing a smooth rotation (what is called a tide tide) arises. Although this problem can be prevented by performing sufficient maintenance, it is not preferable that such connecting portions exist in two places.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to simplify a coupling mechanism between a driving cylinder and an outboard motor in an outboard motor steering mechanism, to reduce backlash thereof and to facilitate maintenance work.

According to the present invention, there is provided an outboard motor steering mechanism having the following features.
In other words, the steering mechanism of the present invention approaches the outboard motor while maintaining a parallel attitude with respect to the “steering arm that rotates integrally with the outboard motor about the steering shaft” and the tilt axis of the outboard motor. A steering cylinder that reciprocates along a piston rod that is swingably supported so as to move away from or away from the vehicle, and a “connection mechanism that connects the steering arm and the steering cylinder”. This is a steering mechanism that changes the direction of the outboard motor by movement. The coupling mechanism is constituted by a spherical bearing having “a spherical body fixed to one of the steering arm and the steering cylinder” and “an outer casing fixed to the other and engaged around the spherical body”. Yes.

  Further, according to the present invention, “a steering arm that rotates integrally with the outboard motor around the steering shaft” and “a steering cylinder that reciprocates along a piston rod held parallel to the tilt shaft of the outboard motor”. And a “connecting mechanism that connects the steering arm and the steering cylinder”, and a steering mechanism that changes the direction of the outboard motor by the reciprocating motion of the steering cylinder is provided. The coupling mechanism in this steering mechanism includes a “rod member coupled to the steering arm so as to be capable of relative rotation in a plane perpendicular to the steering shaft” and “fixed to the steering cylinder in the reciprocating direction of the cylinder. The connecting member is provided with a receiving opening extending orthogonally, and the rod member is slidably fitted into the receiving opening of the connecting member.

  As described above, when the coupling mechanism is constituted by a spherical bearing, the outboard motor and the steering cylinder can be coupled by only one rotational coupling portion, so that rattling between members can be minimized. . Moreover, the rotation connection part which requires the maintenance for preventing a tide is only one place (that is, a maintenance operation becomes easy).

  In addition, as described above, when the connecting mechanism is configured using the rod member that is slidably inserted and the receiving opening, there are two connecting points, but one connecting point is a rod-shaped rod member. A very simple configuration can be obtained by inserting into the receiving opening. In addition, the backlash can be sufficiently reduced by increasing the length of the receiving opening.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<< First Embodiment (FIGS. 5 to 8) >>

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the steering mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The outboard motor 2 is fixed to the hull via a bracket 41 and can be tilted up around the tilt axis B. When tilting up, the outboard motor 2 rotates upward with the tilt tube 42 as a rotation axis. At this time, the tilt tube 42 itself rotates around its axis.
Support arms 45 are attached to both sides of the bracket 41, and the piston rod 50 is held by these two support arms 45. The piston rod 50 is held in parallel with the tilt axis B. Further, both the support arms 45 are rotatable about the tilt axis B. Therefore, when the support arm 45 rotates, the piston rod 50 maintains the parallel posture with respect to the tilt axis B while maintaining the outboard position. It swings so as to approach or move away from the machine 2.

  A piston (not shown) is fixed to a substantially central portion of the piston rod 50, and a steering cylinder 51 is disposed outside the piston. As a result, in the steering cylinder 51, two independent piston chambers are formed on both sides of the piston. In the vicinity of both ends of the steering cylinder 51, cheese joints 52 and 53 are arranged, and each communicates with each piston chamber. By connecting hydraulic hoses (not shown) to the cheese joints 52 and 53 and guiding hydraulic oil to the piston chamber in the steering cylinder 51, as shown by arrows A1 and B1 in FIG. 51 can be reciprocated left and right.

  The outboard motor 2 is connected to the steering cylinder 51 via a coupling mechanism 60 using a spherical bearing. Therefore, as the steering cylinder 51 reciprocates, the steering of the outboard motor 2 can be controlled and the traveling direction of the ship can be controlled.

≪Connection mechanism in the first embodiment≫
FIG. 6 is a side view of the main part viewed from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5 and shows an enlarged view of the connecting mechanism 60 that connects the steering arm 61 and the steering cylinder 51.
A spherical body 75 is fixed to the steering arm 61 extending from the outboard motor 2 side using a fixing bolt 70 and a nut 71. The spherical body 75 is fixed at a position spaced apart from the lower surface of the steering arm 61 by a collar 76.
On the other hand, a bearing case 80 is fixed to the connecting plate 55 fixed to the steering cylinder 51. The bearing case 80 holds an outer envelope 81 that engages with the outer peripheral surface of the spherical body 75 therein. That is, the outer envelope 81 (race) and the spherical body 75 (ball) constitute a spherical bearing. The first embodiment is characterized in that the steering arm 61 and the steering cylinder 51 are connected by a single spherical bearing.

<< Operation of the coupling mechanism 60 >>
Next, the operation of the coupling mechanism 60 during steering will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7A is an explanatory view of a main part showing the state in which the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position” from the upper side. Further, FIG. 7B is an explanatory view of a main part showing the state where the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position” from the side.
Here, the “neutral position” refers to a state in which the steering cylinder 51 is at the center position in the longitudinal direction of the piston rod 50, and at this time, the outboard motor 2 is directed in a direction in which the ship goes straight.

  When the steering cylinder 51 reciprocates along the piston rod 50, the steering arm 61 rotates integrally with the outboard motor 2 about the steering axis A. When the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position” of FIG. 7A, as shown in FIG. 7B, the steering arm 61 and the connecting plate 55 are positioned in parallel to each other.

  The state shown in the perspective view of FIG. 5 corresponds to the “neutral position” of FIG. In FIG. 5, when the steering cylinder 51 slides in the direction of the arrow A1, the state shown in FIG. 8 is obtained. FIG. 8A shows a state where the steering cylinder has moved to the rightmost side, and FIG. 8B shows the state from the side. When the steering cylinder 51 is slid in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. 5, although not shown, the state becomes symmetrical with FIG.

7A and 8A, as the steering cylinder 51 slides, the steering arm 61 and the connecting plate 55 rotate relatively. As a result of such relative rotation, the steering cylinder 51 can linearly slide along the piston rod 50.
Such relative rotation (first rotation) between the steering arm 61 and the connection plate 55 in a plane orthogonal to the steering axis A is realized by a spherical bearing constituting the connection mechanism 60.

Further, as can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 7A and FIG. 8A, as the steering cylinder 51 slides, the coupling mechanism 60 moves upward in the drawing (that is, the outboard motor). It turns out that it is moving backwards away (to the side of 2).
Following this backward movement, the piston rod 50 moves in the direction toward the outboard motor 2 (that is, the steering cylinder 51 that slides on the piston rod 50 also moves in the direction toward the outboard motor 2). A description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The support arm 45 that holds the piston rod 50 is attached to the outboard motor 2 so as to be swingable about the tilt axis B. When the support arm 45 swings around the tilt axis B, the steering cylinder 51 swings together with the piston rod 50 to approach or move away from the outboard motor 2.

When the steering cylinder 51 moves in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 5, the coupling mechanism 60 moves backward from the steering cylinder 51 toward the outboard motor 2 side. Pulled by this backward movement, the piston rod 50 rotates about the tilt axis B in the direction of the arrow A2, and as a result, the steering cylinder 51 and the piston rod 50 move in a direction approaching the outboard motor 2. .
At this time, the support arm 45 that supports the piston rod 50 rotates about the tilt axis B.

  Although not shown, when the steering cylinder 51 slides in the direction of the arrow B1 in FIG. 5, the piston rod 50 is rotated in the direction of the arrow B2 and the steering cylinder 51 is Move so as to approach the outer unit 2 side.

  When the steering cylinder 51 rotates together with the piston rod 50 in the direction of the arrow A2 (or B2), it can be seen that the connecting plate 55 tilts downward from the position shown in FIG.

This is shown in FIG. 8 (b). FIG. 8A shows a state where the steering cylinder 51 is slid from the “neutral position” in the direction of the arrow A1, and FIG. 8B shows this state viewed from the side. In FIG. 8B, the outboard motor 2 is located on the right side in the figure.
As can be seen from FIG. 8 (b), in this state, the steering plate 61 and the connecting plate 55 form a relatively constant angle.

That is, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 7B and FIG. 8B, the steering plate 61 and the connecting plate 55 are relatively moved in the vertical plane while the steering cylinder 51 slides. It is rotating (second rotation).
Such a second rotation is also achieved by the spherical bearing that constitutes the coupling mechanism 60, as in the first rotation.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, both the first rotation and the second rotation are achieved by one spherical bearing. In other words, unnecessary backlash between members is generated, or connection points that require maintenance to prevent tide are gathered in one place.

In the first embodiment described above, the spherical body 75 of the spherical body 75 and the outer casing 81 constituting the spherical bearing is fixed to the steering plate 61, and the outer casing 81 is connected to the connecting plate 55 (that is, the steering cylinder). 51) is fixed. However, conversely, the spherical body 75 may be fixed to the connection plate 55 and the outer cover 81 may be fixed to the steering plate 61.
It is also possible to configure the steering plate 61 to be longer than that shown in the drawing, and to directly fix the spherical body 75 or the outer casing 81 to the steering cylinder 51 (that is, omit the connecting plate 55).

Further, in the first embodiment, the connecting plate 55 is relative to a virtual line M (see FIG. 7A) connecting the center position in the longitudinal direction of the steering cylinder 51 in the “neutral position” and the steering axis A. It has a line-symmetric shape. The outer envelope 81 is arranged on the imaginary line M on such a connection plate 55. By adopting such a configuration, the entire steering mechanism is symmetric with respect to the virtual line M, so that there is an advantage that the steering balance in the left-right direction is improved.
The specific shape of the connecting plate 55 is not limited to that shown in the drawing, and any appropriate shape can be adopted as long as it is line symmetric with respect to the virtual line M.

<< Second Embodiment (FIGS. 9 to 11) >>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The steering mechanism of the second embodiment is substantially different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the coupling mechanism 160.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the steering mechanism of the second embodiment. Components similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The connection mechanism 160 includes a rod member 161 rotatably attached to the steering arm 61 and a connection member (block) 171 fixed to the steering cylinder 51. The connecting member 171 includes a receiving opening 172 that extends perpendicular to the sliding direction of the steering cylinder 51, and the rod member 161 is slidably fitted into the receiving opening 172.
In the receiving opening 172, it is preferable to provide appropriate means such as providing a resin bush or applying a lubricant so that the rod member 161 can slide smoothly.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory view of a main part showing the state in which the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position” from the upper side. FIG. 10B is also an explanatory view of the main part showing the state where the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position” from the side.
The rod member 161 is attached to the steering arm 61 so as to be rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the steering axis A by using bolts and nuts at a connecting portion indicated by 165. When the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position”, the connecting portion 165 is closest to the steering cylinder 51.

  FIG. 11A shows a state where the steering cylinder 51 is slid to the left from the “neutral position”. FIG. 11B shows a state in which the steering cylinder 51 is slid rightward from the “neutral position”.

When the steering cylinder 51 slides left and right from the “neutral position”, the connecting portion 165 moves backward in a direction away from the steering cylinder 51 toward the outboard motor 2 side.
In the second embodiment, the rod member 161 slides in the receiving opening 172 of the connecting member 171 to absorb the backward movement of the connecting portion 165.

In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, there are two connection locations where the member relatively moves. That is, in the first embodiment, the connection location is only one of the spherical bearings constituting the connection mechanism 60, but in the second embodiment, “the rotational connection location 165 between the steering arm 61 and the rod member 161”. And “slid fitting place 166 between the rod member 161 and the receiving opening 172 of the connecting member 171”.
The first embodiment is superior in that the number of connected portions is one less. However, the second embodiment is superior to the first embodiment in that the structure of each connecting portion is simple. In other words, the rotation connecting portion 165 is a simple connecting mechanism using bolts and nuts, and the slide fitting portion 166 is also a simple configuration in which an elongated rod is simply slidably engaged in the opening.
Moreover, the slide insertion location 166 can make the backlash in the said insertion part small enough by taking the extension length of the receiving opening 172 long.

  In the second embodiment, the receiving opening 172 provided in the connecting member 171 is an imaginary line M (FIG. 10A) connecting the longitudinal center position and the steering axis A when the steering cylinder 51 is in the “neutral position”. ) See)). By adopting such a configuration, the entire steering mechanism is symmetric with respect to the virtual line M, so that there is an advantage that the steering balance in the left-right direction is improved.

The perspective view explaining the prior art example disclosed by patent document 1. FIG. The principal part perspective view explaining the prior art example disclosed by patent document 1. FIG. The principal part explanatory drawing explaining the prior art example disclosed by patent document 1. FIG. The perspective view explaining the prior art example disclosed by patent document 2. FIG. The perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. The principal part expansion perspective view explaining the connection mechanism in 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the connection mechanism of FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the connection mechanism of FIG. The perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the connection mechanism in 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining operation | movement of the connection mechanism in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small ship 2 Outboard motor 3 Screw 5 Steering mechanism 10 Steering cylinder 10a, 10b Cylinder block 11 Piston rod 13 Turning plate 14 Steering arm 20 Connection part 30 Piston rod 31 Steering cylinder 32 1st rotation connection part 33 1st Two-turn connecting portion 35 Steering arm 41 Bracket 42 Tilt tube 45 Support arm 50 Piston rod 51 Steering cylinder 52, 53 Cheese joint 55 Connecting plate 60 Connecting mechanism 61 Steering arm 70 Fixing bolt 71 Nut 75 Spherical body (ball)
76 collar 80 bearing case 81 outer package (race)
160 Connecting Mechanism 161 Rod Member 165 Rotating Connection Location 166 Slide Fit Location 171 Connection Member 172 Receiving Opening

Claims (4)

A steering arm (61) that rotates integrally with the outboard motor (2) about the steering axis (A);
Along the piston rod (50) supported so as to be able to swing toward and away from the outboard motor (2) while maintaining a parallel posture with respect to the tilt axis (B) of the outboard motor (2). A reciprocating steering cylinder (51);
A connection mechanism (60) for connecting the steering arm (61) and the steering cylinder (51);
A steering mechanism that changes the direction of the outboard motor (2) by reciprocating movement of the steering cylinder (51),
The coupling mechanism (60)
A spherical body (75) fixed to one of the steering arm (61) and the steering cylinder (51), and an outer packet body (81) fixed to the other and engaged around the spherical body (75). A steering mechanism comprising a spherical bearing.   The spherical body (75) or the outer packet body (81) has a shape symmetrical with respect to an imaginary line (M) connecting the center position in the longitudinal direction of the steering cylinder (51) in the neutral position and the steering shaft (A). It is fixed to the steering cylinder (51) via the connecting member (55), and is positioned on the virtual line (M) on the connecting member (55). The steering mechanism according to claim 1. A steering arm (61) that rotates integrally with the outboard motor (2) about the steering axis (A);
A steering cylinder (51) reciprocating along a piston rod (50) held parallel to the tilt axis (B) of the outboard motor (2);
A connection mechanism (160) for connecting the steering arm (61) and the steering cylinder (51);
A steering mechanism that changes the direction of the outboard motor (2) by reciprocating movement of the steering cylinder (51),
The coupling mechanism (160)
A rod member (161) connected to the steering arm (61) so as to be relatively rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the steering shaft (A);
A connecting member (171) fixed to the steering cylinder (51) and provided with a receiving opening (172) extending perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the cylinder (51);
A steering mechanism, wherein the rod member (161) is slidably fitted into the receiving opening (172) of the connecting member. The receiving opening (172) of the connecting member extends along an imaginary line connecting the longitudinal center position of the steering cylinder (51) in the neutral position and the steering shaft (A). The steering mechanism according to claim 3.

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