Outboard motor operating system

An outboard motor operating system, includes a shared switch for inputting operation instructions to either a steering (hydraulic) cylinder for steering an outboard motor or a PTT unit for regulating the tilt/trim angles of the outboard motor. The system also includes a first group of signal lines connected to the steering cylinder, a second group of signal lines connected to the PTT unit, and a third group of signal lines connected to the shared switch. The operating system also includes a selector switch for connecting either the first or second group of signal lines to the third group of signal lines. Thus, a shared operating system is provided for inputting operation instructions to the steering cylinder and PTT unit, and the destination of the instructions is made selectable, enabling a reduction in the number of components and a reduction in the amount of space needed for installing the operating system on the boat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-136125, filed on 30 Apr. 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an outboard motor operating system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, technologies have been developed for using actuators to steer and regulate the tilt and trim angles of outboard motors, as taught, for example, by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-1640. This reference teaches a system that operates a steering actuator when a sensor detects rotation of a steering wheel and operates tilt and trim angle regulation actuators when a switch for inputting tilt and trim angle regulation instructions is operated.

This prior art system disadvantageously increases the number of steering system components because the operation instructions for the steering actuator and those for the tilt and trim angle regulation actuators are input through different operating systems installed on the hull (boat). Another problem with the system is that it increases the amount of space needed for installing the operating system on the boat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the foregoing drawbacks by providing an operating system for an outboard motor equipped with a steering actuator and tilt and trim angle regulation actuators that enables a reduction in the number of components of the operating system for inputting the operation instructions to the respective actuators and in the amount of space needed for installation on the hull.

In order to achieve the object, in a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an operating system for an outboard motor adapted to be mounted on a stern of a boat and having a propeller with a rudder to propel and steer the boat. The operating system includes a steering actuator swiveling the outboard motor relative to the boat to steer; a tilt/trim actuator tilting/trimming the outboard motor to regulate a tilt/trim angle of the outboard motor; and an operation instruction input device to be operable by an operator for inputting an instruction to operate at least one of the steering actuator and the tilt/trim actuator. The operating system also includes a first signal line connected to the steering actuator; a second signal line connected to the tilt/trim actuator; a third signal line connected to the operation instruction input device; and a selector switch connecting one of the first signal line and the second signal line to the third signal line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Here follows a description of selected illustrative embodiments of an outboard motor operating system according to the invention made with reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1is an overall schematic view of an a boat equipped with outboard motor operating system according to a first embodiment of the invention, with primary focus on the outboard motor.

As shown inFIG. 1, an outboard motor10is mounted on the stern of a hull (boat)12. The outboard motor10is equipped with an engine40(FIG. 5) (not shown) at the top and with a propeller14at the bottom. The propeller14, which operates to propel the boat12in the forward and reverse directions, is rotated by power transmitted from the engine40. A remote control box16is mounted near the operator's seat of the boat12. The remote control box16can communicate with the outboard motor10.

FIG. 2is an explanatory schematic view showing the interconnection between the outboard motor10and the remote control box16.

As shown inFIG. 2, a shift-throttle lever20(forward/reverse instruction input device) is provided on a lateral or side face of the remote control box16. A shift-throttle lever position sensor22installed near the shift throttle lever20outputs a signal corresponding to the position to which the operator sets the shift-throttle lever20.

A shared switch24(operation instruction input device) and a selector switch26(signal line selection device) are mounted on the front of the remote control box16.

FIG. 3is an enlarged front plan view of the remote control box16.FIG. 4is an enlarged top plan view of the remote control box16.

As shown inFIG. 3, the shared switch24is a rocker switch that can be toggled between two settings by pressing its upper and lower halves. The selector switch26can be manipulated to select between an STR (steering) position and a PTT (power tilt-trim) position.

As shown inFIG. 4, the top of the remote control box16is provided with five indicators, namely, left turn indicator30, right turn indictor32, FWD (forward) indicator34, N (neutral) indicator36and REV (reverse) indicator38.

The explanation ofFIG. 2will be resumed. The outboard motor10is equipped at the top portion with the engine40. The engine40is an internal combustion engine and may be a spark-ignition, V-type, six-cylinder gasoline engine. The engine40is enclosed by an engine cover42and positioned above the water surface. An electronic control unit (ECU)44including a microcomputer is installed near the engine40enclosed by the engine cover42.

The output of the shift-throttle lever position sensor22is sent to the ECU44. Based on the signal received from the shift-throttle lever position sensor22, the ECU44controls the outboard motor10to propel the boat12forward or reverse (backward). Specifically, it operates an electric shift motor46, in accordance with the direction of manipulation of the shift-throttle lever20, so as to select the direction of the propulsion (forward or reverse) produced by the outboard motor10. The ECU44also operates an electric throttle motor48, in accordance with the amount of manipulation of the shift-throttle lever20, so as to regulate the throttle opening (control the speed) of the engine40. The FWD indicator34, N indicator36and REV indicator38light when the shift position is forward, neutral and reverse, respectively.

The output of the shared switch24is sent through a selector switch26to either a steering hydraulic cylinder (steering actuator)50or a PTT (power tilt-trim) unit (tilt-trim angle regulation actuator)52. The PTT unit52is fabricated as a unit integrating three hydraulic cylinders, a hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to the cylinders, and an electric motor (not shown inFIG. 2) for operating the hydraulic pump.

When the output of the shared switch24is received by the steering hydraulic cylinder50(more exactly, by an electric motor that operates a hydraulic pump (neither shown) for supplying hydraulic pressure thereto), the steering hydraulic cylinder50operates to swivel the outboard motor10so that the boat12is steered to turn left or right. When the boat12turns left, the left turn indicator30lights and when it turns right, the right turn indictor32lights.

When the output of the shared switch24is received by the PTT unit52(more exactly, by an electric motor therein), the PTT unit52operates to regulate the tilt and trim angles of the outboard motor10.

FIG. 5is a side view, partially in section, of the outboard motor10. The structure of the outboard motor10will now be explained with reference toFIG. 5.

As shown inFIG. 5, the PTT unit52is equipped with three hydraulic cylinders, namely, one hydraulic cylinder56for tilt angle regulation (hereinafter called “tilt hydraulic cylinder56”) and two hydraulic cylinders58for trim angle regulation (only one shown; hereinafter called “trim hydraulic cylinders58”).

One end (cylinder bottom) of the hydraulic cylinder56is fastened to stern brackets60and through it to the boat12, and the other end (piston rod head) thereof is fastened to a swivel case62. One end (cylinder bottom) of each hydraulic cylinder58is fastened to stern brackets60and through it to the boat12, similarly to the one end of the hydraulic cylinder56, and the other end (piston rod head) thereof abuts on the swivel case62.

The swivel case62is connected to the stem brackets60through a tilting shaft66. The swivel case62houses a rotatable swivel (steering) shaft68. The upper end of the swivel shaft68is fastened to a mount frame70and its lower end is fastened to a lower mount center housing72. The mount frame70and lower mount center housing72are fastened to a frame (not shown) on which the engine40etc. are mounted.

The steering hydraulic cylinder50is mounted above the swivel case62. One end (cylinder bottom) of the steering hydraulic cylinder is attached to the swivel case62and the other end (piston rod head) thereof is attached to the mount frame70. Thus, when the piston rod head of the steering hydraulic cylinder50extends or contracts, the mount frame70rotates to steer the outboard motor10about the horizontal axis.

A throttle body78is installed on the upstream side of an intake manifold76of the engine40. The throttle motor48is integrally connected with the throttle body78. The throttle motor48and a throttle shaft78S that supports a throttle valve78V are interconnected through a gear mechanism (not shown) installed adjacent to the throttle body78.

The output of the engine40is transmitted, via a crankshaft (not shown) and a drive shaft80, to a propeller shaft84housed in a gear case82, and rotates the propeller14. The gear case82is formed integrally with a rudder82a.

A forward gear86F and a reverse gear86R are provided around the propeller shaft84to mesh with a drive gear80aand be rotated in opposite directions. A clutch88that rotates integrally with the propeller shaft84is provided between the forward gear86F and reverse gear86R. The clutch88is operated by a shift rod90, which is driven by an electric shift motor46, and a shift slider94to mesh with either the forward gear86F or the reverse gear86R, thereby switching the direction of rotation of the propeller14, i.e., shifting between forward and reverse.

FIG. 6is an electrical circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration for interconnecting the shared switch24with the steering hydraulic cylinder50and the PTT unit52.

As shown inFIG. 6, the steering hydraulic cylinder50is connected to first group of signal lines100. Specifically, a hydraulic pump102is connected to the steering hydraulic cylinder50through a hydraulic circuit (not shown) and the hydraulic pump102is connected to an electric motor104to be operated thereby. The motor104is connected to the first group of signal lines100through a motor driver106.

The PTT unit52is connected to a second group of signal lines110. Specifically, the tilt hydraulic cylinder56and trim hydraulic cylinders58in the PTT unit52are connected to a hydraulic pump112through hydraulic circuits (not shown) and the hydraulic pump112is connected to an electric motor114to be operated thereby. The motor114is connected to the second group of signal lines110through a PTT relay116.

The shared switch24is connected to a third group of signal lines120. The third group of signal lines120are connected through the selector switch26to either the first group of signal lines100or the second group of signal lines110.

The operation of the electrical circuit will now be explained.

In the case where the third group of signal lines120are connected to the first group of signal lines100by the selector switch26as illustrated (when the aforesaid STR position has been selected), if the shared switch24is manipulated to close the contact marked UP(R) in the drawing (if the upper half of the shared switch24shown inFIG. 3is pressed), a coil124aof a first relay124(acontact relay) provided in the motor driver106is energized to close a movable contact124b, thereby supplying electric current to the motor104from a battery126installed at an appropriate location in the outboard motor10.

As a result, the hydraulic pump102is operated to supply hydraulic pressure to the steering hydraulic cylinder50and steer the outboard motor10. When the contact on the UP(R) side of the shared switch24is closed, the steering hydraulic cylinder50is operated in the direction for turning the outboard motor10counterclockwise so that the boat12turns right. At this time, the right turn indictor32is lit via an electric circuit not shown in the drawings.

In the case where the third group of signal lines120are connected to the first group of signal lines100by the selector switch26as illustrated, if the shared switch24is manipulated to close the contact marked DN(L) in the drawing (if the lower half of the shared switch24shown inFIG. 3is pressed), a coil128aof a second relay128(acontact relay) provided in the motor driver106is energized to close a movable contact128b, thereby supplying electric current to the motor104in the opposite direction from when contact on the UP(R) side is closed.

As a result, the hydraulic pump102and the steering hydraulic cylinder50are operated in the opposite direction from when the contact on the UP(R) side is closed, so that the outboard motor10is turned clockwise and the boat12turns left. At this time, the left turn indictor30is lit via an electric circuit not shown in the drawings.

On the other hand, in the case where the third group of signal lines120are connected to the second group of signal lines110by the selector switch26as indicated by phantom lines inFIG. 6(when the aforesaid PTT position has been selected), if the shared switch24is manipulated to close the contact on the UP(R) side, a coil130aof a third relay130(acontact relay) provided in the PTT relay116is energized to close a movable contact130b, thereby supplying electric current to the motor114.

As a result, the hydraulic pump112is operated to supply hydraulic pressure to the tilt hydraulic cylinder56and trim hydraulic cylinders58and regulate the tilt and trim angles of the outboard motor10. When the contact on the UP(R) side of the shared switch24is closed, the hydraulic cylinders56and58are operated in the direction of increasing the tilt and trim angles. Specifically, after the piston rod heads of the trim hydraulic cylinders58have extended, the piston rod head of the tilt hydraulic cylinder56is extended.

In the case where the third group of signal lines120are connected to the second group of signal lines110by the selector switch26, if the shared switch24is manipulated to close the contact on the DN(L) side, a coil132aof a fourth relay132(acontact relay) provided in the PTT relay116is energized to close a movable contact132b, thereby supplying electric current to the motor114in the opposite direction from when the contact on the UP(R) side is closed. As a result, the hydraulic pump112is operated to drive the tilt hydraulic cylinder56and trim hydraulic cylinders58in the opposite direction from that mentioned above, thereby reducing the tilt and trim angles.

Thus, the outboard motor operating system according to the first embodiment of the invention is equipped with the shared switch24for inputting operation instructions to either the steering hydraulic cylinder50for steering the outboard motor10or the PTT unit52for regulating the tilt and trim angles of the outboard motor10, the first group of signal lines100connected to the steering hydraulic cylinder50, the second group of signal lines110connected to the PTT unit52, the third group of signal lines120connected to the shared switch24, and the selector switch26for connecting either the first group of signal lines100or the second group of signal lines110to the third group of signal lines120.

In other words, a shared operating system is provided for inputting operation instructions to the steering hydraulic cylinder50and PTT unit52, and the destination of the output operation instructions is made selectable. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the number of components of the operating system and also reduce the amount of space needed for installing the operating system on the boat.

In addition, a remote control box16is provided that is equipped with the shift-throttle lever20for inputting instructions to make the boat12travel forward or backward, and the shared switch24and selector switch26are also installed on the remote control box16, thereby reducing the number of components of the operating system and its installation space on the boat. Moreover, the consolidation of the operating system simplifies the work of installing the system on the boat12.

Although the shared switch24is installed on the remote control box16in the foregoing embodiment, improved operability can be achieved by instead installing it on the shift-throttle lever20as shown inFIG. 7.

When the outboard motor10is steered using a tiller handle or the like (not shown) provided on the outboard motor, the shared switch24and selector switch26can, as shown inFIG. 8, be mounted on the outboard motor10. Installation of the shared switch24and selector switch26on the outboard motor10makes it unnecessary to reserve installation space on the boat12and also eliminates the work of installing these switches on the boat.

Alternatively, it is possible to configure the shared switch24as a lever like the shift-throttle lever20, detect the amount and direction of tilting thereof with a sensor, and output an operation signal corresponding to the detection value through the selector switch26to the steering hydraulic cylinder50or PTT unit52.

An outboard motor operating system according to a second embodiment of the invention will now be explained.

FIG. 9is an explanatory view, similar toFIG. 2, but showing an outboard motor operating system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The explanation will be made focusing on the points of difference from the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 9, in the second embodiment a coupler box140is provided instead of the selector switch26and the output of the shared switch24is forwarded to the steering hydraulic cylinder50and PTT unit52through multiple couplers accommodated in the coupler box140.

FIG. 10is an enlarged perspective view of the coupler box140. As illustrated inFIG. 10, a first coupler142is provided at the end of the first group of signal lines100. A second coupler144shaped identical to the first coupler142is provided on the second group of signal lines110. A third coupler146manually connectable (engageable) with the first and second couplers142and144is provided on the third group of signal lines120. The first to third couplers142,144and146are accommodated in the coupler box140. The coupler box140is constituted as a water-tight case.

FIG. 11is an electrical circuit diagram similar toFIG. 6showing a circuit configuration for interconnecting the shared switch24with the steering hydraulic cylinder50and the PTT unit52.

As shown inFIG. 11, one or the other of the first group of signal lines100and the second group of signal lines110can be connected to the third group of signal lines120by manually connecting the associated first coupler142or second coupler144with the third coupler146. Thus, the steering hydraulic cylinder50and PTT unit52can be operated or driven similarly to in the first embodiment by manipulating the shared switch24with one or the other of the first coupler142and the second coupler144put in connection with the third coupler146.

Thus, the outboard motor operating system according to the second embodiment is equipped with the first coupler142provided on the first group of signal lines100, the second coupler144provided on the second group of signal lines110and the third coupler146provided on the third group of signal lines120so as to enable either the first coupler142or the second coupler144to be manually connected to the third coupler146. The configuration is therefore simpler than that of the first embodiment.

Moreover, the first to third couplers are accommodated in the coupler box140constituted as a water-tight case. This structure, despite its simplicity, enhances the reliability of the system by protecting the signal lines against water.

The remaining structural aspects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment and will not be explained again. As in the first embodiment, the installation site of the shared switch24is not limited to the top of the remote control box16as shown inFIG. 9.

The first to second embodiments are thus configured to have an operating system of an outboard motor10mounted on a stern of a boat12and having a propeller14with a rudder to propel and steer the boat, comprising: a steering actuator (steering hydraulic cylinder50) for swiveling the outboard motor relative to the boat to steer; a tilt/trim actuator (PTT unit52) for tilting/trimming the outboard motor to regulate a tilt/trim angle of the outboard motor; an operation instruction input device (shared switch24) to be operable by an operator for inputting an instruction to operate at least one of the steering actuator and the tilt/trim actuator; a first sigual line (first group of signal lines100) connected to the steering actuator; a second signal line (second group of signal lines110) connected to the tilt/trim actuator; a third signal line (third group of signal lines120) connected to the operation instruction input device; and a selector switch26connecting one of the first signal line and the second signal line to the third signal line.

The operating system further includes: a forward/reverse instruction input device (shift-throttle lever20) to be operable by an operator for inputting an instruction to make the boat travel forward or reverse; and a remote control box16mounted at a location near a seat of the operator of the boat; and the forward/reverse instruction input device, the operation instruction input device and the selector switch are installed on the remote control box.

In the operating system, the operation instruction input device (shared switch24) is installed on the outboard motor10.

In the operating system, the selector switch26comprises: a first coupler142provided on the first signal line, a second coupler144provided on the second signal line; and a third coupler146provided on the third signal line, such that one of the first coupler and the second coupler is to be manually connected to the third coupler, and the first to third couplers are accommodated in a coupler box140constituted as a water-tight case.

In the operating system, the remote control box16is provided with an indicator, more specifically, the indicator is at least one from among those indicating a direction of steer (left turn indicator30, right turn indicator32) and a position of shift (FWD (forward) indicator34, N (neutral) indicator36and REV (reverse) indicator38).

While the invention has thus been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be noted that the invention is in no way limited to the details of the described arrangements; changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.