JPH01109196A - Shifting device for propeller for ship - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a simple and inexpensive shift device by placing inside a lower gearcase a reversible transmission which selects driving engagement between a drive gear and a propeller shaft, and actuating the reversible transmission in response to rotation of a lever. CONSTITUTION: A drive gear 38 associated with the crankshaft 40 of an internal combustion engine in a marine propulsion device is freely rotationally supported inside a lower gearcase 32. In this case, a propeller shaft 34 with a propeller mounted on the outer end thereof is freely rotationally supported inside the lower gearcase 32. A reversible transmission 42 selecting the driving engagement of the drive gear 38 and the propeller shaft 34 is placed between the drive gear 38 and the propeller shaft 34. Further, a bracket 52 is secured to the lower gearcase 32, and a lever 68 is freely rotationally supported against the bracket 52. The lever 68 is connected to the reversible transmission 42 so that the reversible transmission 42 is actuated in response to rotation of the lever 68.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a shift device for a marine propulsion device, and more particularly to a device for shifting a reversible transmission inside a lower gear case of a marine propulsion device.

(Prior Art and Issues to Be Solved If1) The prior art encompasses many such shifting devices. Typically, a reversible transmission in a lower gear case of a marine propulsion device includes a control member movable in the axial direction of a propeller shaft for operating the transmission. The shifting device responds to an operator's operation of a remotely located control device.
A means is provided for axially moving the control member.

Known marine propulsion systems include a detent device that releasably holds the transmission in a neutral position in the absence of operator applied force. Such a detent device may be part of a transmission (see, e.g., US Pat. can be incorporated within.

Known defent devices have a complex construction and are therefore relatively expensive.

See US patents listed below. That is, not yet 1 anus JLf
i hill and yu l use ヱj4.102,19fi
24th month of 1983 old anchor2.756
．． 855 July 31, 1958 Old oss:l
, 556.041 January 19, 1971 Sh
imanckas4.318.702 1982
March 19th 5tacey4.442.730
April 17, 1984 5noy4.527.4
41 July 9, 1985 Nakaham
a4.530.667 July 23, 1985
McC:ormick3.919.964 197
November 18, 2005 II a g c n (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a lower gear case, a propeller shaft in which a propeller is placed at position a, and rotatably supported by the lower gear case; a drive gear rotatably supported by the lower gear case; a transmission that selectively creates a driving engagement state between the drive gear and the propeller shaft; a bracket fixed to the lower gear case; A marine propulsion system is provided that includes a lever rotatably supported on a bracket and operatively coupled to a transmission for operating the transmission in response to rotation of the lever.

According to Kazumi fiR, this marine propulsion device includes a lower gear case, a propeller shaft rotatably supported within the lower gear case, and a drive gear rotatably supported within the lower gear case. a transmission that selectively creates a driving engagement state between the driving gear and the propeller shaft; a bracket fixedly supported on the gear case; and a lever rotatably supported on the bracket. a lever operatively coupled to the transmission for actuating the transmission in response to rotation; and a lever on the lever and the bracket for releasably retaining the lever in a predetermined position relative to the bracket. and interengaging detent means.

In one embodiment, the marine propulsion device includes a lower gear case, a propeller shaft rotatably supported within the lower gear case, a drive gear rotatably supported within the lower gear case, and a propeller shaft rotatably supported within the lower gear case. a transmission that selectively creates a driving engagement between a drive gear and the propeller shaft; a bracket fixedly supported on the gear case and including one surface; and a bracket extending substantially across the surface of the bracket. is rotatably supported relative to the bracket along a path in positional relationship about an axis and adjacent to the bracket surface, and interacts with the transmission to actuate the transmission in response to rotation of a lever; and interengaging detent means on the lever and the bracket for releasably retaining the lever in a predetermined position relative to the bracket.

In one embodiment, the marine propulsion device further includes a detent device for releasably holding the lever in a predetermined position relative to the bracket.

In one embodiment, the base of the bracket is attached to the lower gear case.

The main features of the invention include a lever rotatably supported by the lower gear case and operatively coupled to the transmission to operate the transmission in response to rotation of the lever; and a detent device for releasably holding the shift device in position. Instead of operating the transmission itself, the detent device acts on a lever that operates the transmission.

This allows the use of a simple and inexpensive detent mechanism.

Another major feature of the invention includes a bracket fixed within the lower gear case, rotatably supported by the bracket and operatively coupled to the transmission for operating the transmission in response to rotation of the lever. The present invention provides a shift device including a lever.

A bracket, preferably made from stamped metal or powder bonded metal, is a simple, inexpensive and effective means of supporting the 01 lever within the lower gear case. This bracket also facilitates assembly of the shifting device and use of the lever-operable detent device.

Other major features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and drawings.

Before explaining in detail one embodiment of the present invention,
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of individual elements shown in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways.

Additionally, it should be understood that the words and phrases used in the text are for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting.

(Example) A marine propulsion device IO embodying the present invention is shown in the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the marine propulsion system: ηlO is
A support bracket or assembly fixedly supported on the transom member 14 of the hull! Contains 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes a transom bracket 16 fixedly supported in the transom beam and a transom bracket for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal tilt axis 20. Swivel bracket 18 attached to 16
including.

The marine propulsion device lO also includes a propulsion device mounted on the pivot bracket 18 for pivoting movement about a substantially vertical steering axis 24 and together about the tilted axis zO. device 22. This propulsion device 22 is
It includes a power head 26 that includes an internal combustion engine 28. Propulsion system 22 also includes a lower unit 30 that supports the power head 26 and includes a lower gear case 32 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a marine propulsion device 1
0 also has a lower gear case 32 on which a propeller 36 is placed.
A substantially horizontal propeller shaft 34 rotatably supported inside.
and a drive bevel gear 38 rotatably supported by the lower gear case 32. The engine 2B is drivingly connected to the drive gear 38 by a crankshaft 40.

The marine propulsion device IO further includes a drive gear 38 and a propeller shaft 3.
4 includes a reversible transmission 42 for selectively creating a driving engagement state between the two. Although various suitable transmissions may be used, in the preferred embodiment, transmission 42 includes a pair of transmissions disposed within lower gear case 32 and rotatably supported on propeller shaft 34 and meshing with drive gears 38. and axially spaced opposite bevel gears 44, 46 (see FIG. 2). This transmission 42 also selectively and alternately engages spaced apart bevel gears 44.46 which are splined to the outside of the propeller shaft 34 for rotation therewith. The dog clutch 50 includes a movable dog clutch 50.

The transmission also includes a selector shaft 48 that extends through the axial bore of propeller 1d 134 and is movable in the axial direction of said propeller shaft 34. This selector 1 bit 4B is connected to the dog clutch 5 in order to move the dog clutch 50 in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 34 together with this selector shaft.
One pin 51 is provided that can be engaged with 0. To this end, the selector lTlllI 48 is movable in the axial direction of the propeller shaft 34 to selectively and alternately create driving engagement between the bevel gear 44, 46 and the propeller shaft 34. Such an arrangement is disclosed in great detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,964 to Llagen, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the transmission 42, the dog clutch 50 is connected to a gear 44.
When engaged with one of 46, the forward driving force is transmitted to the propeller @
34, and the dog clutch 50 transmits the signal to gear 44.34.
When the dog clutch 50 is engaged with the other of the gears 44 and 46, a reverse driving force is transmitted to the propeller l+H4, and when the dog clutch 50 is located between both of the gears 44 and 46 and is about to be engaged, it is in a neutral state.

Thus, axial movement of selector l1ill 148 switches transmission 42 between forward, neutral, and reverse positions.

The marine propulsion system IO further includes a bracket 52 fixedly supported within the lower gear case 32 (see FIGS. 2-5). In the preferred embodiment, the lower gear case 32 includes a generally vertical forward wall 54 with the bracket 52 attached to the inner surface of the wall 54.

In the preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 4, bracket 52 has a U-shaped construction and is made from a stamped sheet metal. In another embodiment, the bracket 52 can be made from powder bonded metal. Bracket 52 has a generally flat base having opposite ends and attached onto gear case 32 by suitable means such as screws 58. The bracket 52 also includes a generally planar first arm 60 extending generally perpendicularly from one of the ends to the base 56 and a generally flat first arm 60 extending generally perpendicularly to the base 56 and from the other end to the base 56 . a generally planar second arm 62 extending parallel to the first arm 60; This first arm 60 has an inner surface facing the second arm 62 and forming a first blood 64;
The second arm 62 has an inner surface 64 forming a second surface 66 parallel to the first arm 60 and to the first surface 64 .

The marine propulsion device IO is further rotatably attached to the bracket 52 and responds to the rotation of the lever 68 to rotate the transmission 4.
2 includes a lever 68 operatively coupled to the transmission for operating the transmission. In the preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 6, the lever 68 has a pair of single-shaped, generally parallel, spaced apart sections joined by an integral cross member 72. The single-shaped portions each have a generally vertical arm 73 and a generally horizontal arm 74. As shown in FIG. 4, the length of this cross member 72, and therefore the distance between the outer surfaces of the cross-shaped portions, is preferably approximately equal to the distance between arms 60 and 62 of bracket 52. Thus, the lever 68 fits within the bracket 52 as shown in FIG. 4, with the arm 74 of the lever 68 extending generally parallel and adjacent to the arms 60, 62 of the bracket 52.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the outer or southern end of horizontal lever arm 74 extends inwardly.

The lever 6B is mounted between the arms 6o and 62 of the bracket for rotation relative to the bracket 52 about an axis 76 extending generally perpendicular to the plane 64, 66 of the bracket 52, i.e. in a generally horizontal direction. is supported by

Although any suitable means may be used to pivotally support the lever 68 on the bracket 52, in the illustrated construction this means is attached to the arm 6 of the bracket.
0 and 62 and includes a pivot pin 78 to which the lever 68 is pivotally mounted (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, the single-shaped portion of lever 68 has a pair of aligned portions located approximately at the juncture of arms 73 and 74 and through which pivot pin 78 extends. It has an opening [180]. The outer ends of the pivot bins are received in aligned bores 82 (see FIG. 5) in the arms 60,62 of the bracket.

As previously mentioned, any suitable transmission may be used, and likewise any suitable means may be used to operatively couple lever 68 to transmission 42. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the forward end of selector shaft 48 has an annular circumferential groove 70 in which a vertical lever arm 73 extends. This groove 70
The rocker platform 71, which is housed in the cradle 71, has a pair of spaced apart vertically extending recesses 83 that receive the ends of the vertical lever arms 73. This rocker 71 transmits horizontal movement of the end of the vertical lever arm 73 relative to the selector shaft 48 while allowing rotational movement of the selector shaft 48 relative to the rocker 71 and thus relative to the lever 68. Such configurations are known in the art and need not be described in further detail.

Marine propulsion system IO further includes an operator operated shift device that produces rotational movement of lever 68.

Although a variety of suitable shifting devices may be used, in the preferred embodiment the shifting device includes an operator operated shift lever 8 on the propulsion device 22 side.
4 (FIG. 1) and operatively coupled to shift lever 84 such that pivoting movement of shift lever 84 causes vertical movement of shift rod 86. Shift rod 86 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is included. Preferably, the shift rod 86 has an upper end connected to the shift lever 84 by well-known means and a lower end. This shifting device also includes: - said shift rod 8 so as to produce vertical movement together with said shift rod 8;
A link 88 (
(see FIGS. 1 to 4). This gear 88 preferably has an upper end coupled to the shift rod 86 and a lower end.

The shift device further includes a lever 68 that rotates together with the lever 68.
The pivot member 90 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) is coupled to the pivot member 90 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). In a preferred embodiment, this pivot member 9
0 are spaced apart and arranged substantially parallel to the axis 76.

Additionally, pivot member 90 extends through an aligned opening [192 (FIG. 6) in the forward end of lever arm 74 such that vertical movement of pivot member 90 is directed about axis 76. This results in a rotational movement of the lever 68. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pivot members 90 have opposite ends disposed adjacent the faces 64, 66 of the bracket, respectively, and the lower end of the link 88 is connected to the lever arm 74. It is pivotably mounted on a pivot member 90 on the inner side of the pivot member 90 .

In the illustrated construction, as shown in FIG. 3, the pivot member 90 is a tube through which a passageway 94 extends generally perpendicularly, or horizontally, to the bracket members 64, 66. Pivotal movement of shifter rv 184 thus operates through shift rod 86, link 88 and pivot member 90 to cause rotational movement of lever 68.

The marine propulsion device IO further connects the lever 6B to the bracket 52.
and a detent device for releasably holding the device in a predetermined position. In the preferred embodiment, lever 68 is movable between old, neutral and retract positions corresponding to OIr advance, neutral and reverse of selector shaft 48, and the detent device maintains lever 68 in its neutral position. Although a variety of suitable detent devices may be used, in the illustrated construction, the device includes a device that interengages the lever 6B and one of the bracket arms 60,62. Further, the detent device preferably includes a device for mutually engaging the lever 68 and the arm 60 of the bracket, and a device for mutually engaging the lever 68 and the arm 62 of the bracket. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the detent device includes a device releasably interengaging with the end of the pivot member 90 adjacent the bracket face 64 and a device releasably interengaging with the end of the pivot member 90 adjacent the bracket face 64; and a device for releasably interengaging the ends of the member 90 and the wall 62 of the bracket.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the interengaging device includes a recess 100 in the face 64 of the bracket arm 60 and a recess 1 in the face 66 of the bracket arm 62.
02), this recess 100 and +
02 lies on a common line extending approximately perpendicular to planes 64 and 66. The interengaging device also includes a detent member or ball 104 located within the passageway 94 at the end of the pivot member 90 adjacent the bracket face 64 and the end of the pivot member 90 adjacent the bracket face 66. a detent member or ball 106 disposed within the passageway 94 of the passageway 94;
biasing the balls 104 and +06 outwardly from the surface 64,66 of the adjacent bracket so that these balls 104,106 are in the recess 1 when the lever 6B is in the neutral position.
00 right and 102.

Although various suitable devices may be used, in the preferred embodiment, the biasing device includes a spring lO8 located in the passageway 94 between balls 104 and 106.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, bracket 52
Recessed part to facilitate the manufacture of! 00 and 102 are preferably formed by aligned openings or through holes in bracket arms 60 and 62;
It is important that the diameter of the balls 104 and +06 be smaller than the diameter of the balls 104 and +06 so that they do not pass through the apertures 1100 and 102 or penetrate so deep into the apertures 0100 and 02 that the balls 104 and 106 cannot be easily removed. be.

In another embodiment, the passageway 94 can be closed at one end and the detent device has one ball at the opposite end of the passageway 94 and one recess in the adjacent bracket face 64 or 66. A spring 108 biases the ball into engagement with the one recess.

This structure will provide at least some of the advantages of the invention.

This shift device operates as follows. That is, shift
When lever 84 is in its neutral position, lever 68 is in its neutral position, balls 104 and +06 extend into and are engaged with recesses 100 and 102, and dog clutch 50 is shown in FIG. Located between bevel gears 44 and 46 as shown. In order to move the lever 68 from its neutral position, it is necessary - to exert a sufficient force on this lever 68 to dislodge the ball +04.106 from the recess 100, 102; shift lever 8
4 is rotated from its neutral position, arm 73 of lever 68 causes axial movement of rocker 71i and selector shaft 48, thereby engaging dog clutch 50 with one of bevel gears 44 and 46. . This causes the driving teeth 4138 to be in driving engagement with the propeller shaft 34 .

Features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a marine propulsion device implementing the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the shift device, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2 showing the entire shift device in the horizontal direction, and Fig. 4 is taken along line 4-4 in Fig. i2. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lever, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 2 in FIG. 2. 10-- Marine propulsion system, + 2-- Support bracket assembly, ■... Stern beam material, I 6-... Stern beam material bracket, 18-... Swivel bracket, 20... Inclined axis , 22--Propulsion device, 24--Steering axis, 2 B
--Power head, 28--Internal combustion engine, 30--Lower device, 32--Lower gear case, 34--Propeller shaft, 36--Propeller, 38--Drive bevel.
Gear, 40--Crankshaft, 42--Reversible transmission, 44.46--Bevel gear, 48--Selector shaft, 50--Dog clutch, 51--Bin, 5
2 - Bracket, 54 - Front wall, 56 - Base, 58 - Screw, 60 - First arm, 62 -
・・Second arm, 64-・・First surface, 6t・・Second
surface, 68-... lever, 70... annular peripheral groove, 7
1-... Shaking table, 72-... Cross member, 73, 74-...
・Arm, 76...Axis center, 78-...Pivot pin, a
O--Opening, 83--Recess, 84--Shift lever, 86--Shift rod, 88--Link, 9
0--Pivotal member, 92--Open E1.94--Passway, +00.102--Recessed portion, 104.106--Ball, +08---Spring.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A lower gear case, a propeller shaft on which a propeller is placed and rotatably supported within the lower gear case, and a drive gear rotatably supported within the lower gear case; a transmission that selectively creates a driving engagement state between the drive gear and the propeller shaft; a bracket fixedly supported on the lower gear case; and a lever rotatably supported on the bracket. A marine propulsion system comprising a lever operatively coupled to the transmission for actuating the transmission in response to rotation of the transmission. 2. The marine propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising detent means for releasably holding the lever at a predetermined position with respect to the bracket. 3. The marine propulsion system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission is shiftable between a drive position and a neutral position, the lever is also shiftable between a drive position and a neutral position, and the detent A marine propulsion device characterized in that the means is adapted to hold the lever in the neutral position. 4. The marine propulsion system of claim 2, wherein the bracket defines substantially parallel flat opposing first and second surfaces, and the lever extends between the surfaces substantially at right angles thereto. said detent means are supported for rotational movement relative to said surface about an axis of said detent means interengaging means on said lever and said first surface; and means for mutually engaging each other. 5. The marine propulsion system according to claim 2, further comprising a shift means operated by an operator for producing rotational movement of the lever. 6. The marine propulsion device according to claim 5, wherein the lever is supported on the bracket so as to rotate around the axis, and the shift means has an end portion and is spaced apart from the axis and is connected to the shaft. a pivoting member coupled to the lever for rotation together about the axis; and a pivoting member for moving the pivoting member to rotate the lever about the axis. a coupled link, the detent means comprising:
a wall disposed on the bracket adjacent the end of the pivot member; and releasably interengaging means on the wall and the end of the pivot member. Characteristic marine propulsion system. 7. The marine propulsion system of claim 6, wherein the bracket defines substantially parallel flat opposing first and second surfaces, and the axis extends substantially perpendicular to the surfaces; the lever is supported between the surfaces for rotation about the axis relative to the surface, the pivot member being a tube through which a passage extending substantially perpendicular to the surface extends; a passageway has opposite ends respectively disposed adjacent said first and second surfaces, said interengaging means having a recess in said first surface and a recess in said second surface; a recess is disposed on a common line extending substantially perpendicular to said plane, and further includes a member disposed at said end of said passageway adjacent said first plane and said passageway adjacent said second plane; a member disposed at said end of said passageway and biasing said member outwardly from said passageway toward said surface such that said member engages said recess when said lever is in said predetermined position; A marine propulsion device characterized in that it has means for making it so. 8. The marine propulsion system of claim 7, wherein the bracket has a U-shaped structure, a generally flat base having opposed ends, and a base extending from one of the ends at a generally right angle to the base. an extending generally planar first arm and a generally planar second arm extending substantially perpendicular to the base and parallel to the first arm from the other end; The first arm has an inner surface facing the second arm and forming the first surface, and the second arm facing the first arm and forming the second surface. 1. A marine propulsion device characterized by having an inner surface. 9. The marine propulsion device according to claim 8, wherein the base portion is placed on the lower gear case. 10. A marine propulsion system according to claim 7, characterized in that said bracket is made from a stamped metal plate. 11. The marine propulsion system of claim 7, wherein said bracket is made of powder bonded metal. 12. A lower gear case, a propeller shaft rotatably supported within the lower gear case, a drive gear rotatably supported within the lower gear case, and between the drive gear and the propeller shaft. a transmission that selectively produces a drive engagement state; a bracket fixedly supported on the gear case; and a bracket rotatably supported on the bracket and actuating the transmission in response to rotation of a lever. a lever operatively coupled to the transmission for the purpose of the present invention; and interengaging detent means on the lever and the bracket for releasably retaining the lever in a predetermined position relative to the bracket. A marine propulsion device featuring: 13. A lower gear case, a propeller shaft rotatably supported within the lower gear case, a drive gear rotatably supported within the lower gear case, and between the drive gear and the propeller shaft. a transmission that selectively produces a driving engagement; a bracket fixedly supported on the gear case and including one surface; a lever rotatably supported relative to the bracket along a path of adjacent positional relationship and operatively coupled to the transmission for actuating the transmission in response to rotation of the lever; and the bracket; A marine propulsion device characterized in that it is provided with mutually engaging detent means on the lever and the bracket for releasably holding the lever in a predetermined position relative to the lever.