US3741045A - Single lever control apparatus for marine engine - Google Patents

Single lever control apparatus for marine engine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3741045A
US3741045A US00203767A US3741045DA US3741045A US 3741045 A US3741045 A US 3741045A US 00203767 A US00203767 A US 00203767A US 3741045D A US3741045D A US 3741045DA US 3741045 A US3741045 A US 3741045A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
operating member
throttle
clutch
gear
set forth
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00203767A
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English (en)
Inventor
T Kobayashi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hi Lex Corp
Original Assignee
Nippon Cable System Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nippon Cable System Inc filed Critical Nippon Cable System Inc
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Publication of US3741045A publication Critical patent/US3741045A/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H21/00—Use of propulsion power plant or units on vessels
    • B63H21/21—Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
    • B63H21/213—Levers or the like for controlling the engine or the transmission, e.g. single hand control levers

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 A first figure.
  • the present invention relates to a novel control apparatus for controlling the clutch and throttle of a marine engine by a single lever.
  • the apparatus of this type can be operated with ease and safety even by an unskilled person. Accordingly, such apparatus must fulfil the following essential requirements.
  • the apparatus must be so designed that the throttle will not operate before the reengagement of the clutch.
  • the apparatus In order to retain the boat at a given position against a tide or to enable the boat to move forward or backward at a constant speed, the apparatus must include a mechanism for keeping a constant throttle range even when the control lever is released from the hand.
  • the apparatus must incorporate safety means for keeping the clutch completely in a locked state during the operation of the throttle and further means for locking the clutch in neutral position during the warming'up of the engine while permitting the throttle to operate as desired so that the boat will not inadvertently start to operate for safety.
  • the present invention contemplates provision of an apparatus which fulfils the essential requirements described and which is easy to operate, applicable for engines of various types, suitable for mass production and before the clutch has completely been engaged in for-' ward or backward position.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism for locking the throttle while the clutch is in operation and for locking the clutch while the throttle is in operation.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism whereby the throttle range can be kept constant even when the lever is released from the hand so as to maintain the speed of the boat at a constant level.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for versatile uses which is applicable to a throttle cable of the push or pull type and which is capable of operating two engines.
  • FIG. 1 is an elevation showing the rear of an embodi- 1 ment of the control apparatus of this invention, with a rear cover removed, the view illustrating the apparatus when the control lever is in neutral position;
  • FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an elevation showing a mechanism for operating the throttle when the control lever is in neutral position
  • FIG. 4 is an elevation showing a mechanism for operating the clutch when the control lever is in neutral position
  • FIG. 5 is an elevation showing the mechanism for operating the clutch when the clutch is engaged in forward position
  • FIG. 6 is an elevation showing the mechanism for operating the throttle when the control lever is pivoted to a full extent in forward;
  • FIG. 7 is an elevation showing the mechanism for operating the throttle when the control lever is being pivoted toward the backward position.
  • FIG. 8-(1) and 8-(2) are sectional views on an enlarged scale principally showing the means for mounting the outer cable of a throttle cable in backwardly and forwardly movable manner for fine adjustment.
  • a control lever 1 has a base portion 2, along the axis of which there is formed a hole 3.
  • the hole 3 is formed at its inner face with a number of projections 4 extending in the axial direction.
  • a transmission shaft 6 in the form of a cylinder has, in the outer peripheral surface at its end, a number of grooves 7 extending in the axial direction and engageable with the projections 4 at the desired position so as to lock the lever l to the transmission shaft 6 adjustably.
  • a screw 8 is driven through the base portion 2 into a groove 8' in the outer peripheral surface of the transmission shaft 6.
  • the transmission shaft 6 is rotatably supported by a bearing boss 10 of a case 9, and a ring 12 for preventing the removal of the transmission shaft 6 is fitted into a groove 11 in the outer peripheral surface of the transmission shaft 6.
  • the transmission shaft 6 is integrally formed with a transmission gear 5, along the outer periphery of which several gears 14 and 14 are formed in separate two areas.
  • the transmission shaft 6 has projections 15 and 15 at its end.
  • a hollow shaft 17 rotatably and slidably fitted in the transmission shaft 6 is integrally formed with a clutch operating gear 16 at one end thereof. Fitted to the other end of the shaft 17 is a push button 18 slightly projecting from the base portion 2.
  • the plane portion of the clutch operating gear 16 includes recesses 21 and 21 for receiving the projections 15 and 15 on the end of the transmission shaft 6.
  • the projections 1'5, 15' and the recesses 21, 21 are in fitting engagement with each other under the action of the spring 13, so that when the lever l is moved pivotally, the clutch operating gear 16 is rotated at the same time.
  • the push button 18 serves to disengage the transmission gear 5 from the clutch operating gear 16.
  • the clutch operating gear 16 is formed in its outer periphery with a concave portion 24 in engagement with a column-like member 22, the gear 16 is held against free rotation even when the push button 18 is depressed to disengage the clutch operating gear 16 from the transmission gear 5 while the lever 1 is in neutral position.
  • FIG. 8-( 1) shows means for mounting a throttle cable on the case 9.
  • the case 9 has holding portions 66 and 67 which hold an adjusting bolt 65 in rotatable manner.
  • the adjusting bolt 65 has a head exposed from the case 9 and a threaded stem positioned within the case 9 and carrying a slide piece 63 in screw-thread engagement therewith.
  • the slide piece 63 is slidably fitted in a groove 64 and caught in the groove 61' of a holder 61 fixed to the end of the throttle cable 60.
  • FIG. 8-(2) illustrates another embodiment of means for mounting the throttle cable on the case 9 which serves the same purpose as with the embodiment of FIG. 8-(1).
  • a cylindrical adjuster 73 with an internal thread 74 extends through and is rotatably mounted on the case 9. Screwed into the adjuster 73 is a holder 61 formed with an external thread 72 and fixed to the end of the throttle cable 60. The rotation of the adjuster 73 adjusts the throttle as in the foregoing embodiment.
  • the pivot 31 has an internal threaded portion 36 into which a screw 37 is driven to retain these members in position.
  • the throttle operating member 32 has several gears 25 engageable with the teeth 14, 14. of the transmission gear 5 and with a rack gear 43 and arms 26, 26 of the opposite sides of the pivot 31.
  • the arms 26, 26' have slots 27, 27' respectively.
  • the throttle operating member 32 has arcuate concave faces 28, 28' along its outer periphery. When a locking face 38 at the plane portion of the clutch operating gear 5 comes into sliding contact with the concave face 28 or 28', the throttle operating member 32 is thereby locked.
  • the outer periphery of the throttle operating member further includes a notch 29 which, when brought into engagement with a column-like member 39, locks the throttle operating member 32.
  • the column-like member 39 is placed in a recess 35 formed in the case 9 along with a spring 40 and is urged by the spring 40 in the direction V in FIG. 3 into pressing contact with the outer peripheral surface of the throttle operating member 32.
  • the case 9 includes a guide groove 44 in which the rack gear 43 is slidably disposed.
  • the rack gear 43 meshes with the teeth 25 of the throttle operating member 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 6), while when the lever l is shifted to the backward position, the rack gear meshes with the teeth 14 of the transmission gear 5 and the teeth 25 of the throttle operating member 32 to rotate the throttle operating member 32 as illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • a metal member 45 to which the rod of the throttle control cable 60 is attached in rotatable manner.
  • the metal member 45 can be locked at the desired position within the slot 27, and the locking position can be determined in accordance with the stroke of the throttle.
  • the rod 60 will be pulled when the lever l is shifted in forward or backward direction.
  • the metal member 45 and the rod 60' may be positioned in the slot 27' on the other side.
  • the cable may be placed in each of the slots 27 and 27 It is also possible to use a gear instead of the rack gear 43.
  • the clutch operating member 30 is mounted on the pivot 31 with the. throttle operating member 32 disposed thereon. As shown in FIG. 4, the clutch operating member 30 has arms 47, 47 formed with slots 48, 48', teeth 50 meshing with the teeth 49 of the clutch operating gear 16 and arcuate concave faces 52, 52'. The arcuate concave faces 52, 52"are adapted for sliding contact with the circumferential surfaces 51, 51 of the clutch operating gear 16 to lock the clutch operating member 30.
  • a slide piece 53 is slidably mounted in the slot 48, and the rod 54 of a clutch cable 54 is attached to the slide piece 53 in pivotable manner.
  • the slide piece 53 is provided with a nut 41 with an internally threaded portion into which is driven the externally threaded portion 33 of an adjusting bolt 33 rotatably supported on two holding portions 55, 55' on the clutch operating member 30.
  • a knob 71 Secured to the adjusting bolt 33 is a knob 71 which, when rotated, drives the adjusting bolt 33 to move the nut 41 thereon.
  • the slide piece 53 therefore moves within the slot 48, varying the radius of pivotal movement of the clutch operating member 30, i.e. the distance between the pivot 31 and the position where the clutch cable is disposed. Accordingly, adjustment can be made by the knob 71 in accordance with the stroke of the clutch, more specifically by the continuous movement of the nut 41. Thus fine adjustment can be made as desired.
  • FIG. 5 shows the clutch mechanism wherein the lever 1 is shifted to forward position, i.e. in the direction F and the clutch is completely engaged in forward position.
  • the transmission shaft 6, transmission gear 5 and the clutch operating gear 16 are rotated-accordingly, and the teeth 49 of the clutch operating gear 16 meshing with the teeth 50 of the clutch operating member 30 drive the clutch operating member 30 in the direction r in the drawing, causing the slide piece 53 disposed in the slot 48 to push the rod 54 of the clutch cable 54 and thereby engage the clutch in forward position.
  • the slide piece 53 may be disposed in the slot 48.
  • the toothless outer peripheral surface 76 of the transmission gear 5 is in opposing relation to the teeth 25 of the throttle operating member 32 without causing the throttle operating member 32 to rotate.
  • the locking face 38 of the transmission gear 5 in sliding contact with the arcuate concave face 28 of the throttle operating member 32 prevents the rotation of the throttle operating member 32.
  • the locking face 38 disengages from the concave face 28 permitting the teeth 14 of the transmission gear 5 to mesh with the teeth 25 of the throttle operating member 32 to rotate the throttle operating member 32 in the direction r (see FIG.
  • the clutch operating member 30 having its teeth meshing with the teeth 49 of the clutch operating gear 16 to be rotated together with the lever 1 is driven in the direction I, pulling the rod 54' of the clutch cable 54 to engage the clutch.
  • the outer peripheral portion 51' of the clutch operating gear 16 comes into contact with the arcuate concave face 52' of the clutch operating member 30 to lock the clutch operating member 30.
  • the teeth 14' of the transmission gear 5 mesh with the rack gear 43 (see FIG.
  • the push button 18 is depressed in the direction Y in FIG. 2 with the'lever l in neutral position to disengage the recesses 21, 21 of the clutch operating gear 16 from the projections 15, 15 of the transmission shaft 6. Since the clutch operating gear 16 is prevented from rotation by the column-like member 22, the lever 1, when pivoted from this position, will rotate only the transmission gear 5, whereby the throttle will be operated as already described for warming up the engine. It is noted that when the push button 18 is depressed to release the clutch operating gear 16 from the transmission shaft 6 and the lever l is pivotally moved, the push button 18 will not be returned to the original position even if the button is released from the hand due to the sliding contact of the projections 15, 15' with the plane portion of the clutch operating gear 16.
  • lever 1 is so designed as to be positioned at the center of the case 9 in the desired direction radially of the transmission shaft, and because the clutch operating member 30 has opposite arms 47, 47' including the slots 48, 48' and the throttle operating member 32 has opposite arms 26, 26' including the slots 27, 27', two units may be connected together in a back-to-back arrangement to operate two engines at the same time. More specifically, the levers 1 of the two control units arranged are set in the predetermined positions respectively, and one control unit is connected to the throttle cable and clutch cable at the arms 26 and 47' and the other control unit is connected to the throttle cable and clutch cable at the arms 26 and 47 respectively. In this case, there can be operated the both levers by one hand when the grips of the levers are located closed to each other.
  • the throttle cable and clutch cable for one engine are connected to one arm of each of the throttle operating member 32 and clutch operating member 30 and the throttle cable and clutch cable for the other engine are connected to the other arm of each of the throttle operating member 32 and the clutch operating member 30.
  • the connection of the throttle cable and clutch cable with the engine may be made on starboard for one, and on port for the other in opposite relation.
  • the throttle does not operate before the clutch has completely been engaged in forward or backward position.
  • the clutch operating gear 16 can be disengaged from the transmission shaft 6 only in neutral position, with the resulting advantage that warming up of the engine can be performed with safety and that even when the push button is inadvertently depressed while the boat is in operation, the clutch will not be shifted.
  • the locking mechanism keeps the throttle range constant even when the lever l is released from the hand.
  • the push button when merely depressed with the lever in neutral position, makes the apparatus ready for engine warming up. After warming up, the push button is returned to the original position and the apparatus is made ready for usual operation simply by returning the lever to neutral position.
  • the apparatus is applicable for various types of engines.
  • the throttle cable of the engine may be of the push or pull type. Where it is required that the inner cable of the throttle cable be adapted only for pulling action, two pull cables can be used in place of one push-pull cable, with each connected to each arm of the throttle operating member. Manipulation of the adjuster on the case makes it possible to operate the throttle for warming up the engine without using the lever.
  • the combination of two units of the identical construction in back-to-back arrangement provides a control apparatus for a twin engine.
  • a single lever control apparatus having a housing for operating the clutch and throttle of an engine comprising a transmission shaft (6) adjustably carrying a control lever (l), a clutch operating member and a throttle operating member to be driven by said transmission shaft (6), and a rack gear (43), said transmission shaft (6) having a transmission gear 5 and a looking face (38), said throttle operating member being rotatably supported on a stationary pivot (31) and having gears (25), a locking face (28) and an arm (26) to be connected to the throttle, the locking face (28) of said throttle operating member (32) be engageable with the locking face (38) of said transmission shaft to lock said throttle operating member (32) with the teeth (25) thereof meshing with said rack gear when said control lever (1) is in neutral position, the teeth (14) of said transmission gear being meshable with the teeth (25) of said throttle operating member (32) to rotate said throttle operating member when said control lever (1) is pivoted toward one direction, the teeth (l4')'of said transmission gear being meshable with said rack gear (43) to rotate said throttle operating member in the same
  • said clutch operating member (30) is rotatably supported on said stationary pivot (31) and has teeth (50), arcuate concave faces (52, 52) and an arm (47) to be connected to the clutch, said teeth (50) being meshable with a gear (16) to be driven by said transmission shaft when said control lever (l) is in neutral position, said arcuate concave faces (52,52) being engageable with the circumferential faces (51, 51') of said gear (16) to lock said clutch operating member (30) when said control lever (l) is pivoted a given angle from neutral position toward forward and backward positions.
  • a holder (61) or adjuster (73) is secured to the outer cable (77) of a cable (60) for the throttle at the position where the outer cable extends into said housing (9) so as to adjust the throttle range by moving only the outer cable.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
  • Control Of Vehicle Engines Or Engines For Specific Uses (AREA)
US00203767A 1971-08-14 1971-12-01 Single lever control apparatus for marine engine Expired - Lifetime US3741045A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP46061720A JPS5119095B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-08-14 1971-08-14

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US3741045A true US3741045A (en) 1973-06-26

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US00203767A Expired - Lifetime US3741045A (en) 1971-08-14 1971-12-01 Single lever control apparatus for marine engine

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US (1) US3741045A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5119095B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3929039A (en) * 1973-05-17 1975-12-30 Teknoflex Control System Ab Single lever control device
US4089397A (en) * 1975-12-24 1978-05-16 Nippon Cable System Inc. Control mechanism
US4106604A (en) * 1976-12-20 1978-08-15 Nippon Cable System Inc. Control unit for throttle and clutches
US4137799A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-02-06 Incom International Inc. Adjustable interlock hand lever
US4144956A (en) * 1977-08-08 1979-03-20 Nippon Cable Systems Inc. Single lever control unit for engines
US4205738A (en) * 1977-05-21 1980-06-03 Nippon Cable System Inc. Control mechanism for marine engine
US4512451A (en) * 1982-06-21 1985-04-23 Jacob Kobelt Single lever control assembly to permit disengagement between two functions
US4951520A (en) * 1988-11-17 1990-08-28 Outboard Marine Corporation Single lever control
US6220112B1 (en) * 1998-02-10 2001-04-24 Teleflex Incorporated Throttle controlled transmission lockout
US20150033897A1 (en) * 2013-08-05 2015-02-05 Nhk Spring Co., Ltd. Engine control apparatus

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58154017U (ja) * 1982-04-08 1983-10-14 株式会社アマダ 鋸盤の切断材搬出装置

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3929039A (en) * 1973-05-17 1975-12-30 Teknoflex Control System Ab Single lever control device
US4089397A (en) * 1975-12-24 1978-05-16 Nippon Cable System Inc. Control mechanism
US4106604A (en) * 1976-12-20 1978-08-15 Nippon Cable System Inc. Control unit for throttle and clutches
US4205738A (en) * 1977-05-21 1980-06-03 Nippon Cable System Inc. Control mechanism for marine engine
US4137799A (en) * 1977-07-29 1979-02-06 Incom International Inc. Adjustable interlock hand lever
US4144956A (en) * 1977-08-08 1979-03-20 Nippon Cable Systems Inc. Single lever control unit for engines
US4512451A (en) * 1982-06-21 1985-04-23 Jacob Kobelt Single lever control assembly to permit disengagement between two functions
US4951520A (en) * 1988-11-17 1990-08-28 Outboard Marine Corporation Single lever control
US6220112B1 (en) * 1998-02-10 2001-04-24 Teleflex Incorporated Throttle controlled transmission lockout
US20150033897A1 (en) * 2013-08-05 2015-02-05 Nhk Spring Co., Ltd. Engine control apparatus
US9086135B2 (en) * 2013-08-05 2015-07-21 Nhk Spring Co., Ltd. Engine control apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4828824A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-04-17
JPS5119095B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-06-15

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