The present application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-312228, filed on Nov. 17, 2006, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
1. Field of the Inventions
The present inventions relate to steering systems for watercraft, and more particularly, to such systems that electrically connect a steering device with an outboard motor to each other.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Document JP-B-2959044 describes a steering system in which an outboard motor, functioning as a watercraft propulsion unit having an internal combustion engine, a propeller (screw) mounted to a lower unit, etc. is disposed outside of a watercraft hull. A steering motor, which functions as a steering actuator for steering the outboard motor in the right and left directions, is provided in a coupling portion between the watercraft hull and the outboard motor. The steering motor and a steering wheel are connected to each other via a signal cable through which signals can be transmitted and received. The steering wheel has a rotational angle sensor. The steering motor rotates based upon a rotational direction and a rotational angle of the steering wheel detected by the rotational angle sensor to thereby steer the outboard motor.
As shown in
An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that if the watercraft turns when the watercraft is running, the water pressure is added to the outboard motor in a direction in which the outboard motor is steered. Therefore, as shown in the schematic illustration of
Japanese Patent Document JP-B-2959044 does not disclose a mechanism for compensating for such an imbalance of the steering torque. Thus, the system of Japanese Patent Document JP-B-2959044 has a problem that the steering torque required when the outboard motor is steered back is larger than the steering torque required when the outboard motor is steered. Also, the steering torque necessary to steer the outboard motor varies in accordance with a magnitude, a direction, etc. of a propeller rotation reaction force generated by rotation of a propeller (screw) applied to the outboard motor (for example, as shown in the schematic illustration of
Thus, in accordance with an embodiment, a steering system for a watercraft which pivots a watercraft propulsion unit laterally relative to a hull of the watercraft, to move the propulsion unit from a neutral position to a right/left direction by driving force of a steering actuator, can comprise steering assist means for generating predetermined urging force in a direction toward the neutral position when the watercraft propulsion unit is steered toward at least one of the right direction and the left direction relative to the neutral position.
In accordance with another embodiment, a steering system for a watercraft which pivots a watercraft propulsion unit laterally relative to a hull of the watercraft between a neutral position and right and left positions with a steering actuator, can comprise a steering assist device configured to generate a predetermined force in a direction toward the neutral position when the watercraft propulsion unit is steered toward at least one of the right direction and the left direction relative to the neutral position.
The figures illustrate a steering system for a watercraft configured in accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the inventions described herein. The watercraft merely exemplifies one type of environment in which the present inventions can be used. However, the various embodiments of the steering systems disclosed herein can be used with other types of watercraft or other vehicles that benefit from improved steering control. Such applications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the description herein. The present inventions are not limited to the embodiments described, which include the preferred embodiments, and the terminology used herein is not intended to limit the scope of the present inventions.
As shown in
A steering bracket 15 can be fixed to a top end of the swivel shaft 14. A steering device 16a can be coupled with a front end 15a of the steering bracket 15. The steering device 16a can be operated by a steering wheel 17 disposed at a cockpit and can be driven based on the operation of the steering wheel 17.
As shown in
The screw bar 21 can be supported at both ends thereof by supporting members 22, each of which can be one of a right and left pair of supporting members. The supporting members 22 can be supported by a tilt shaft 23.
A joint bracket 24 can extend rearwardly from the electric motor 20a. The joint bracket 24 and the steering bracket 15 can be coupled with each other through a coupling pin 25.
Thus, when the electric motor 20a operates and moves in the right/left direction relative to the screw bar 21, the outboard motor 12 pivots about the axis of the swivel shaft 14 through the joint bracket 24 and the steering bracket 15.
Springs 18a, 18b, which can function respectively as “steering assist means” and “urging means”, can be placed at the respective ends of the screw bar 21. Each spring 18a, 18b can be a coil spring whose inner diameter can be slightly larger than the screw bar 21, and can be interposed between an end of the respective supporting member 22 and a circular stopper 19a, 19b placed adjacent to the respective end of the screw bar 21. Because the “steering assist means” and the “urging means” are formed with the mechanical structures such as the springs 18a, 18b, the assist force can be applied to the electric motor 20a with a more simple construction. However, other configurations and devices can be used as the “steering assist means” and “urging means”.
The configurations, and thus the resilient force, of the springs 18a, 18b can be chosen in such a manner that the one placed on a side where the propeller rotation reaction force is generated when the outboard motor 12 is steered back is large, is greater than the other placed on the opposite side where the propeller rotation reaction force is small.
A magnitude of the resilient force of each spring 18a, 18b can also be decided based upon a steering torque amount required by the electric motor 20a. For example, the resilient force of the spring (herein, the spring 18a) placed on the side where the propeller rotation reaction force generated when the outboard motor is steered back is large is greater than the spring (herein, the spring 18b) placed on the other side where the propeller rotation reaction force generated when the outboard motor is steered back is small by an amount which is resulted when the maximum steering torque of one side is subtracted from the maximum steering torque of the other side (for example, in
Further, the resilient force of each spring 18a, 18b can also be decided based upon physical amounts such as, weights of the outboard motor 12 and the watercraft hull 10, affecting the steering torque of the electric motor 20a when the outboard motor 12 is steered. Specifically, the larger the weights of the outboard motor 12 and the watercraft hull 10 are, the larger the resilient force of the springs 18a, 18b can be set.
Additionally, in some embodiments applied to a watercraft having a plurality of outboard motors 12 mounted on the watercraft hull 10, set positions of the respective outboard motors relative to the watercraft hull can be used as one of the physical amounts that are bases for the resilient setting of the springs 18a, 18b. For example, if the respective outboard motors are placed near the center of the transom 11, the resilient force of each spring 18a, 18b can be set to be smaller. On the other hand, if the respective outboard motors are placed near the outer ends of the transom 11, the resilient force of each spring 18a, 18b can be set to be larger.
As shown in
A system can be constructed in such a manner that the steering wheel section 27 can be connected to a control unit (ECU: engine control unit) 31 through a signal cable 30, the control unit 31 can be connected to the electric motor 20a of the steering device 16a. A signal from the steering wheel operation angle sensor 28 can be input into the control unit 31, and the control unit 31 can control and drive the electric motor 20a and can also control the reaction motor 29.
Detection signals indicative of a steering condition of the steering wheel 17, a steered condition of the outboard motor 12, a running condition of the watercraft hull 10, etc. can be supplied to the control unit 31 from various detecting devices 32 provided to portions of the watercraft hull 10 and the outboard motor 12. The various detecting devices 32 can include, for example, but without limitation, a torque sensor configured to detect a steering torque sufficient for steering the outboard motor in accordance with an operation of the steering wheel, an outboard motor steered angle sensor configured to detect present steered angle, steered speed, steered direction of the outboard motor 12, deviation detecting device configured to detect steered angle deviation in accordance with the operation of the steering wheel, weight detecting device configured to detect the waterline and weight of the watercraft, a trim angle sensor configured to detect a trim angle of the watercraft, a speed sensor configured to detect speed, acceleration, thrust of the watercraft, an output of the outboard motor, and so forth.
Further, a steering storing device 34 can be configured to store information about the number of outboard motors 12, mount positions of the outboard motors 12 relative to the watercraft and rotational directions of the propeller 33 provided to each outboard motor 12 (see
During operation, when the steering wheel 17 is pivoted by a preset amount by a watercraft operator, detection signals of the steering wheel operation angle sensor 28 and the various detecting devices 32 are transmitted to the control unit 31. Further, detection signals and various signals are transmitted to the control unit 31 from the various detecting devices 32. The control unit 31 calculates steering torque sufficient for steering the outboard motor 12 and a steering angle, steering speed, steering direction, etc. of the steering in accordance with the steering wheel operation based upon those detection signals and various pieces of information and also various pieces of information stored in the steering storing means 34. The control unit 31 thus rotates the electric motor 20a based upon those signals and the calculation results. When the electric motor 20a rotates, the motor 20a moves in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21, and the outboard motor 12 pivots about the axis of the swivel shaft 14 to change its direction.
For example, the following description applies to a situation in which the outboard motor 12 is fully steered leftward (lower side of
When, under this condition, the steering wheel 17 is operated clockwise to steer back the outboard motor, the electric motor 20a pivots in the other direction. The resilient force of the spring 18a is added to the electric motor 20a as the electric motor 20a moves through the contacting zone α11. The electric motor 20a thus moves toward the center on the screw bar 21 by the resilient force of the spring 18a in addition to the rotational force of its own. On the other hand, when the outboard motor 12 is steered back after being fully steered rightward, the electric motor 20a moves on the screw bar 21 in the contacting zone α21 toward the center by the resilient force of the spring 18b in addition to the rotational force of its own.
As discussed above, in some embodiments, the springs 18a, 18b pressing the electric motor 20a in the axial direction of the screw bar 21 can be provided at the ends of the screw bar 21. As such, the electric motor 20a is moved in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21 to steer the outboard motor 12. In this construction, the assist force can be applied to the electric motor 20a with a more simple structure.
Also, in some embodiments, when the electric motor 20a is in the contacting zone α11, i.e., when the steered angle of the outboard motor 12 is in a predetermined angular range including the maximum steered angle, the springs 18a, 18b can assist the steering torque of the electric motor 20a by applying the assist force to the electric motor 20a at a time that the steering torque amount necessary for steering back the outboard motor 12 is the maximum or almost the maximum.
Also, in some embodiments, either one of the springs 18a, 18b can apply the assist force on the side where the propeller rotation reaction force generated when the outboard motor 12 is steered back is large; thereby, the spring 18a, 18b can assist the steering torque of the electric motor 20a in the steering direction in which the steering torque necessary for steering back the outboard motor 12 is the maximum.
Also, in some embodiments, the assist force of the springs 18a, 18b can be decided based upon the steering torque applied when the outboard motor 12 is steered back, and the respective weights of the watercraft hull 10 and the outboard motor 12 provided as the physical amounts affecting the steering torque. Therefore, the resilient force of the springs 18a, 18b can be decided in a manner such that proper assist force is applied to the electric motor 20a.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the load added to the electric motor 20a when the outboard motor 12 is steered back can be decreased. For example, as shown in the schematic illustration of
Additionally, in some embodiments, the structure in which the springs 18a, 18b are provided at both of the ends of the screw bar 21 can be employed. Alternatively, another structure can be employed in which a spring is provided only at one of the ends on the side where the propeller rotation reaction force generated when the outboard motor 12 is steered back is large.
For example, as shown in
Also, in some embodiments, an end of each supporting member 22 can have a cylinder 42a, 42b. A piston 43a, 43b can be disposed in each cylinder 42a, 42b. The cylinder 42a, 42b and the piston 43a, 43b together can be considered as forming an “urging member”.
Each cylinder 42a, 42b can have a generally cylindrical shape whose inner diameter can be larger than the outer diameter of the screw bar 21, and can extend inwardly in a configuration such that an axial direction thereof extends along the axial direction of the screw bar 21. Each piston 43a, 43b can be formed circularly in such a manner that an inner diameter thereof can be generally equal to the outer diameter of the screw bar 21 and an outer diameter thereof can be generally equal to the inner diameter of the cylinder 42a, 42b. Each piston 43a, 43b can be slidable inside of the associated cylinder 42a, 42b in the axial direction of the cylinder 42a, 42b and the screw bar 21. Because, in some embodiments, the “urging means” can be formed with the mechanical structures, such as the cylinders 42a, 42b and the pistons 43a, 43b, the assist force can be applied to the electric motor 20b with a more simple construction. However, other constructions can also be used.
The inside of each cylinder 42a, 42b can be formed as an air space 44a, 44b. Each air space 44a, 44b can enclose a gas whose pressure can be higher than the atmospheric pressure, such as compressed air. However, other gases and fluids can also be used.
A pressure of the air enclosed in the air space 44a, 44b can be set based upon the steering torque amounts applied by the electric motor 20b, similarly to the resilient force of each spring 18a, 18b in the embodiments described with reference to
Further, the air pressure of each air space can be set based upon physical amounts affecting the steering torque of the electric motor 20b when the outboard motor 12 is steered, such as the weights of the outboard motor 12 and the watercraft hull 10.
The construction of the other components of the steering device 16b can be the same or similar to those of the steering device 16a, and thus, their description is not repeated herein.
During operation of the steering device 16b, when the steering wheel 17 is rotated and the electric motor 20b rotates under control of the control unit 31 to move in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21, the outboard motor 12 pivots about the axis of the swivel shaft 14 to change its direction.
Similar to the above description of the behavior of the steering device 16a, for example, a situation in which the outboard motor 12 is fully steered leftward (lower side of
The steering device 16b also provides the same or similar actions as those of the steering device 16a in that it decreases the load of the electric motor 20b generated when the outboard motor 12 is steered back, and the feeling of steering operations can be improved when the watercraft propulsion unit, which that has previously been steered in the right/left direction, is steered back to the neutral position.
With reference to
Each supporting member 51 can include a coupling body 52a, a generally cylindrically-shaped post 52b and a spring 52c positioned around the post 52b. The post 52b can be retractably formed because of being inserted into and drawn out from the interior of the coupling body 52a in the fore to aft direction (right/left direction in
During operation, when the steering wheel 17 is rotated and the electric motor 20c rotates under control of the control unit 31 to move in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21, the outboard motor 12 pivots about the axis of the swivel shaft 14 to change its direction. The screw bar 21 and the clamping bracket 13 are urged away from each other by the urging force of the spring 52c, e.g., in a direction in which the screw bar 21 and the clamping bracket 13 are separated from each other.
Thus, the closer the electric motor 20c approaches the end of the screw bar 21, the longer the posts 52b of the respective supporting members 51 extend in the fore to aft direction. As a result, a distance from the electric motor 20c to the axis of the swivel bracket 14 (not shown in
With reference to
The resilient force of the spring 62 can be set based upon the steering torque amount required from the electric motor 20a (not shown in
During operation, assuming that the outboard motor 12 is fully steered to the other side (right side in
As discussed above, in this embodiment, the load to the electric motor 20a added when the outboard motor 12 is steered back can decrease without a special structure for directly pressing the electric motor 20a being provided, and the feeling of steering operations can be improved when the watercraft propulsion unit that has been steered in the right/left direction is steered back to the neutral position.
Additionally, in some embodiments described above, the spring 62 and the stopper 63 can be placed on the one side where the steering torque for steering the outboard motor becomes large. However, the spring and the stopper can be placed on the other side to reduce the load added to the electric motor 20a when the steering torque of both of the sides becomes the maximum.
With reference to
The spring 74 can be a coil spring, can provide high resilient force and can also provide high urging force in its returning direction against pulling force pulling the first member 72 and the second member 73 in a direction in which those members are separated from each other. Additionally, if having substantially the same functions, springs other than the coil spring or resilient members other than those springs can be employed for forming the “urging means”. The construction of the other components of an associated steering device can be the same or similar to those of the steering device 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and thus, their description is not repeated herein.
During operation, when the steering wheel 17 is rotated and the electric motor 20a (not shown in
By the urging force, force F1 affects the second member 73 in the same direction as the pulling force (obliquely left and upper direction in
As discussed above, in some embodiments, the coil spring 74 extending and contracting the steering bracket 71 in the axial direction thereof can be provided, an thus, in the structure that the electric motor 20a is moved in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21 to steer the outboard motor 12, the assist force can be applied to the electric motor 20a with a more simple construction.
With reference to
The spring 84 can be a coil spring, and can provide high resilient force and also provides high urging force in its returning direction against pulling force pulling the first member 82 and the second member 83 in a direction in which those members are separated from each other. Additionally, if having the same functions, springs other than the coil spring or resilient members other than those springs can be employed for forming the “urging means.” The construction of the other components of an associated steering device can be the same or similar to those of the steering device 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and thus, their description is not repeated herein.
During operation, when the steering wheel 17 is rotated and the electric motor 20a rotates under control of the control unit 31 to move in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21 (not shown in
As discussed above, in some embodiments, the coil spring 84 extending and contracting the joint bracket 81 in the axial direction thereof is provided, and thus, in the structure that the electric motor 20a is moved in the right/left direction along the screw bar 21 to steer the outboard motor 12, the assist force can be applied to the electric motor 20a with a more simple construction.
Although the devices described above which can serve as an “urging means” are formed springs or cylinders with pistons, torsion springs can also be employed for forming the urging means. However, other devices can also be used.
In some of the embodiments discussed above, the structures reducing the load added to the steering motors 20a, 20b, 20c are provided each by each. However, combinations of two or more structures provided in the respective embodiments can also be applicable to further reduce the load added to the electric motor 20a, 20b, 20c.
In some of the embodiments discussed above, the “steering actuator” can be formed with the electric motors 20a, 20b, 20c, and can serve as “electrically operable actuators”. However, the “steering actuator” is not limited to the electric motor and can be formed with any type of actuator driven by electric power or power other than the electric power.
In some of the embodiments discussed above, the “shaft” on which the electric motor 20a, 20b, 20c is provided is formed with the screw bar 21. However, a “shaft” other than the screw bar 21 can be used for providing the “steering actuator.”
Although the outboard motor 12 is applied as the “watercraft propulsion device” in some of the embodiments discussed above, the “watercraft propulsion device” is not limited to the outboard motor and an inboard and outboard unit is of course applicable.
Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof In addition, while several variations of the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combination or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2006-312228 | Nov 2006 | JP | national |