Abstract:
An outboard drive device comprising a motor having a crankshaft, wherein said outboard drive device further comprises a propeller shaft with a propeller, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor to the propeller shaft. The power coupling system involves a transmission including side-by-side positioning of forward and reverse gears of the device, which are rotatably engaged with a drive shaft. Particular variables of the system enable increased power output to be transmitted through the transmission, while also providing quick and efficient power distribution among different rotations of the propeller shaft of the device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an outboard drive device for a boat. More specifically, the present invention relates to an outboard drive device comprising a motor with crankshaft, a propeller situated below the motor when said outboard drive device is operated with a boat, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor to the propeller. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of differing outboard drive devices are known from prior art. Generally, such outboard drive devices include a motor housed in an upper portion of the drive device. In some cases, a crank shaft of the motor extends substantially vertically downward to a propeller shaft arranged in a lower portion of the outboard drive device. The propeller shaft, unlike the crank shaft, is often oriented to be substantially horizontal when said outboard drive device is operated. For example, the vertical crankshaft is connected to the horizontal propeller shaft by means of bevel gears for transferring torque from the vertical crankshaft to the horizontal propeller shaft. 
     Another known type of outboard drive device involves a motor having a crankshaft extending substantially horizontally. To that end, the crankshaft is connected to a horizontal propeller shaft through a vertically extending drive shaft and bevel gears. In some cases, a forward/reverse/neutral transmission can be arranged between the crankshaft and the vertical drive shaft. 
     A further known type of outboard drive device involves an outboard propulsion system comprising a motor having a horizontal crankshaft connected to a water jet through a belt. 
     One problem with conventional outboard drive devices is that they are limited in terms of the motors (or engines) they are able to be configured with, which is often a consequence of their power transmission systems. To that end, even when the power transmission systems are modified to be more durable in functioning with larger, more powerful motors, they correspondingly are complex in design, and thus expensive to produce and maintain over time. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to the address the above-described challenges as well as others. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an outboard drive device including a motor having a crankshaft, wherein said outboard drive device further comprises a propeller shaft with a propeller, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor to the propeller shaft. The power coupling system involves a transmission including side-by-side positioning of forward and reverse gears of the device, which are rotatably engaged with a drive shaft. Particular variables of the system enable increased power output to be transmitted through the transmission, while also providing quick and efficient power distribution among different rotations of the propeller shaft of the device. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, an outboard drive device for a boat is provided. The outboard drive device comprises a motor having a crankshaft, wherein said outboard drive device further comprises a propeller shaft for rotating a propeller, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor to the propeller shaft. The power coupling system comprises a transmission. The transmission comprises a transmission drive shaft, first and second power transfer means with corresponding forward and reverse gears, and a drive shaft. The first and second power transfer means are selectively engageable with the corresponding forward and reverse gears. The power coupling system at its input includes a power transfer device connecting the crankshaft of the motor with the transmission drive shaft, and the system at its output includes an endless loop flexible drive coupling connecting the drive shaft with the propeller shaft. The first and second power transfer means are rotatably connected with the transmission drive shaft. The forward and reverse gears are situated on separate gear shafts of the transmission. The forward and reverse gears are rotatably engaged with the drive shaft and transfer power to said drive shaft when the forward or reverse gears are engaged by corresponding of the first and second power transfer means. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, an outboard drive device for a boat is provided. The outboard drive device comprises a motor having a crankshaft, wherein said outboard drive device further comprises a propeller shaft for rotating a propeller, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor to the propeller shaft. The power coupling system comprises a transmission. The transmission comprises a transmission drive shaft, first and second power transfer means with corresponding forward and reverse gears, and a drive shaft. The first and second power transfer means are selectively engageable with the corresponding forward and reverse gears. The power coupling system at its input includes a power transfer device connecting the crankshaft of the motor with the transmission drive shaft, and the system at its output includes an endless loop flexible drive coupling connecting the drive shaft with the propeller shaft. The first and second power transfer means are rotatably connected with the transmission drive shaft. The forward and reverse gears are gear wheels. Each of the forward and reverse gear wheels are rotatably connected with a gear wheel of the drive shaft. The forward gear when engaged by the first power transfer means and rotated correspondingly rotates the gear wheel of the drive shaft, which results in corresponding rotation of the propeller shaft in a first direction. The reverse gear when engaged by the second power transfer means and rotated correspondingly rotates the gear wheel of the drive shaft, which results in corresponding rotation of the propeller shaft in a second direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective side view of an outboard drive device in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, wherein functioning of a power coupling system of the device is depicted with regard to rotation of a propeller shaft of the device in a clockwise direction; and 
         FIG. 2  is the same view of the outboard drive device of  FIG. 1 , but depicting function of the power coupling system with regard to rotation of the propeller shaft of the device in a counter-clockwise direction in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides some practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to those of ordinary skill in the field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the noted examples have a variety of suitable alternatives. 
     As already noted above,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show same view of an outboard drive device  10  in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. The outboard drive device  10  includes a motor  12 , a propeller shaft  14  for driving a propeller (not shown) and a power coupling system  16  for transferring power from the motor  12  to the propeller shaft  14 . As should be appreciated (and as further detailed below), the motor  12  is schematically illustrated as a block within the drawings, and is merely done to keep the drawings simplified. As further shown, the motor  12  includes a crankshaft  18  that protrudes and extends from the motor  12 , and which rotates when the motor  12  is run. With reference to the motor  12  with crankshaft  18 , the power coupling system  16 , and the propeller shaft  14 , it should be appreciated that the outboard drive device  10  is configured with one or more housings to contain these assemblies. However, in order to detail the operation of the device  10  with sufficient illustration, these one or more housings are not shown. 
     Continuing with the above, while also not illustrated (but would be understood by the skilled artisan), the outboard drive device  10  is generally configured for being mounted to a hull of a boat, whereby the device  10  can be fastened/removed from the boat as necessary. To that end, when fastened to a boat, the outboard drive device  10  would generally extend downward from the boat hull. For example, while not shown, the outboard drive device  10  would generally include fastening means (typically, on an upper front side of a housing containing the motor  12 ) for fastening the device  10  to a stern of the boat hull. Commonly, such fastening means can also include a trim/tilt system, such as a hydraulic or electric trim/tilt system, for raising or lowering the propeller shaft  14  (and propeller thereon) from or into the water. For example, upon the outboard drive device  10  being fastened to the boat hull, to further situate the device  10  for operation, the propeller shaft  14  and the propeller are lowered below the water line (and thus, also below the boat hull). Hence, the outboard drive device  10  is arranged to project a distance into the water when operated, such that the propeller shaft  14  and a lower portion of the device  10  are immersed in the water, with the propeller shaft  14  (and propeller) being well below the water line. 
     As described above, the motor  12  includes the crankshaft  18 , which is rotated by the motor  12  so as to provide output power. With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18  extends substantially horizontally from the motor  12  when the outboard drive device  10  is operated. However, in the context of the embodiments described herein, a skilled artisan would recognize that the crankshaft  18  can be somewhat angled. As such, in certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18  can deviate from being substantially horizontally as it extends from the motor  12 . In certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18  can deviate from the horizontal plane, for example, by no more than 10°, perhaps more preferably by no more than 5°, and perhaps even more preferably by no more than 2°. For example, the crankshaft  18  can be arranged with an angle of no more than 10° from horizontal, and preferably no more than 5° from horizontal, or alternately, the crankshaft  18  can simply extend in the horizontal plane (so as to be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat). 
     In certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18  is arranged substantially parallel to the propeller shaft  14 . However, in certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18  and propeller shaft  14  can deviate from being substantially parallel to one another. In certain embodiments, the angle between an axis of the crankshaft  18  and an axis of the propeller shaft  14  can be no more than 20°, perhaps more preferably no more than 10° and perhaps even more preferably no more than 5°. In certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18  can be arranged lengthwise with the boat, wherein the crankshaft  18  extends along the longitudinal axis of the boat. Thus, in such cases, the propeller shaft  14  is also situated to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat. 
     The motor  12  of the outboard drive device  10  can be an outboard motor. However, as will detailed herein, the design of the outboard drive device  10  enables more powerful motors (that are non-typical for outboard drive devices) to be configured with the device  10 . To that end, in certain embodiments, the motor  12  is an automotive engine or an industrial base engine. For example, the motor  12  can be a diesel V8 engine. For further reference, the motor  12 , in certain embodiments, can provide power output up to and greater than 1000 hp, e.g., with the power output of the motor  12  generally ranging from 100 kW (approximately 134 hp) to 1000 kW (approximately 1341 hp). As will be further detailed, the system  16  features a plurality of engaging gear wheels, the configuration of which has been found to provide stable and efficient operation (particularly for outboard drive device applications), even when driven by significant power input, e.g., such as from an automotive engine or industrial base engine. 
     In certain embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the power coupling system  16  at its input includes a power transfer device  20  used to connect the crankshaft  18  of the motor  12 , while the system  16  at its output further includes an endless loop flexible drive coupling  30  used to connect the propeller shaft  14 . In certain embodiments, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one or both of the power transfer device  20  and the endless loop flexible drive coupling  30  can take the form of a belt (e.g., toothed belt); however, the invention should not be limited to such. For example, one or both of the power transfer device  20  and the endless loop flexible drive coupling  30  can alternatively involve a chain or interlocking gear wheels which connect to corresponding portions of the power coupling system  16 . 
     Turning back to the power coupling system  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the system  16  involves a transmission  22 . The transmission  22  includes a transmission drive shaft  24  with corresponding drive shaft gear wheel  24   a , first and second power transfer means  26   a  and  26   b , and a drive shaft  28  with corresponding drive shaft gear wheel  28   a . As described above, for transfer of power from the motor  12 , the crankshaft  18  can be connected to the transmission drive shaft  24  via the power transfer device  20 . In certain embodiments as shown, the power transfer device  20  connects corresponding gear wheels  18   a  and  24   a  situated on the shafts  18  and  24 , respectively. As illustrated, in certain embodiments, the power transfer device  20  extends substantially vertically between the crankshaft  18  and the transmission drive shaft  24 . 
     As will be further detailed herein, in certain embodiments, the first and second power transfer means  26   a ,  26   b  involve clutch plates which are rotatably connected to the transmission drive shaft  24 . For example, as shown, in certain embodiments, the first power transfer means  26   a  is situated on the transmission drive shaft  24  so as to correspondingly rotate with such shaft  24 . In such embodiment, the first power transfer means  26   a  is rotatably engaged with the second power transfer means  26   b . Thus, via such indirect engagement with the transmission drive shaft  24 , the second power transfer means  26   b  rotates opposite to the transmission drive shaft&#39;s rotation. While such configuration of the first and second power transfer means  26   a ,  26   b  is further detailed herein, it should be appreciated that the system  16  could be modified with the locations of the means  26   a ,  26   b  being exchanged. 
     The transmission  22  further includes a forward gear  32   a  and a reverse gear  32   b  that function in selectively rotating the drive shaft  28  of the endless loop flexible drive coupling  30 , e.g., via rotatable engagement with the corresponding gear wheel  28   a  of the drive shaft  28 . It should be appreciated that “forward” and “reverse” designations, with reference to the gears  32   a  and  32   b , are merely used to indicate the corresponding opposing directions by which the drive shaft  28  can be rotated, and not for indicating traveling direction of a boat on which the outboard drive device  10  is fastened. To that end, while “forward” and “reverse” are used herein with reference to the gears  32   a  and  32   b , other designations (such as “first” and “second”) could have just as well been used. Furthermore, similar to that described above with reference to the power transfer means  26   a  and  26   b , the locations of the forward and reverse gears  32   a  and  32   b  could be correspondingly exchanged. 
     In certain embodiments, as shown, the forward and reverse gears  32   a ,  32   b  are gear wheels. Depending on whether the outboard drive device  10  is set to rotate the propeller shaft in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, the forward gear  32   a  or reverse gear  32   b  is selectively engaged with the corresponding first power transfer means  26   a  or second power transfer means  26   b , respectively (while the other of the forward or reverse gears  32   a ,  32   b  is left unengaged). With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the forward gear  32   a  is positioned on the transmission drive shaft  24  and, in certain embodiments as shown, is situated internal to the first power transfer means  26   a . To that end, the transmission drive shaft  24  functions as a gear shaft for rotating the propeller shaft  14  in one direction (e.g., clockwise direction). By way of comparison, the reverse gear  32   b  is positioned on a separate gear shaft  34  and, in certain embodiments as shown, is situated internal to the second power transfer means  26   a  so as to function for rotating the propeller shaft  14  in opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise direction). 
     For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , when the outboard drive device  10  is set for rotating the propeller shaft  14  in a first (e.g., clockwise) direction, the forward gear  32   a  is lockingly engaged by the first power transfer means  26   a . Thus, upon rotation of the transmission drive shaft  24  (e.g., via rotation of the crankshaft  18  in counter-clockwise direction A), the first power transfer means  26   a  and the forward gear  32   a  are correspondingly rotated (e.g., in counter-clockwise direction A). The forward gear  32   a  is engaged with the drive shaft  28  via threaded engagement with a gear wheel  28   a  of the shaft  28 . To that end, given rotation of the first power transfer means  26   a  and its locking engagement with the forward gear  32   a , the drive shaft  28  is correspondingly rotated, but in opposite direction (e.g., in clockwise direction B). The rotation of the drive shaft  28  correspondingly rotates the propeller shaft  14  (e.g., in clockwise direction B) via their connection by the endless loop flexible drive coupling  30 . 
     In the case of the outboard drive device  10  being set for rotating the propeller shaft  14  in the first (e.g., clockwise) direction, the reverse gear  32   b  is correspondingly not lockingly engaged with the second power transfer means  26   b . Thus, even though such second power transfer means  26   b  correspondingly rotates (in opposite direction) relative to rotation of the transmission drive shaft  24 , due to the reverse gear  32   b  not being lockingly engaged with the second power transfer means  26   b , the gear  32   b  rotates freely with the gear wheel  28   a  of the drive shaft  28  without any force applied therefrom to the shaft  28 . 
     Conversely, with reference to  FIG. 2 , when the outboard drive device  10  is set for rotating the propeller shaft  14  in a second (e.g., counter-clockwise) direction, the reverse gear  32   b  is lockingly engaged by the second power transfer means  26   b . Thus, upon rotation of the transmission drive shaft  24  (e.g., via rotation of the crankshaft  18  in counter-clockwise direction A and corresponding rotation of the first power transfer means  26   a  in same direction), the second power transfer means  26   b  is correspondingly rotated, but in opposing direction (e.g., in clockwise direction B), via its connection with the first power transfer means  26   a . The reverse gear  32   b  is engaged with the drive shaft  28  via threaded engagement with the shaft&#39;s gear wheel  28   a . To that end, given rotation of the second power transfer means  26   b  and its locking engagement with the reverse gear  32   b , the drive shaft  28  is correspondingly rotated, but in opposite direction (e.g., in counter-clockwise direction A). The rotation of the drive shaft  28  correspondingly rotates the propeller shaft  14  (in counter-clockwise direction A) via their connection with the endless loop flexible drive coupling  30 . 
     In the case of the outboard drive device  10  being set for rotating the propeller shaft  14  in the second (e.g., counter-clockwise) direction, the forward gear  32   a  is correspondingly not lockingly engaged with the first power transfer means  26   a . Thus, even though such first power transfer means  26   a  correspondingly rotates relative to rotation of the transmission drive shaft  24 , due to the forward gear  32   a  not being lockingly engaged with the first power transfer means  26   a , the gear  32   a  rotates freely with the gear wheel  28   a  of the drive shaft  28  without any force applied therefrom to the shaft  28 . 
     In view of the above, it should be appreciated that the outboard drive device  10  can be further configured to have a neutral mode. Particularly, such neutral mode would involve neither of the forward or reverse gears  32   a ,  32   b  being lockingly engaged with the corresponding first and second power transfer means  26   a ,  26   b . In certain embodiments, the transmission  22  can also include additional gears or similar structure to change ratio of rotational speed of the propeller with respect to rotational speed of the crankshaft  16 . Hence, the outboard drive device  10  is arranged with a transmission  22  so that the output power is reversible via the power coupling system  16 , wherein the propeller shaft  14  (and propeller) can be driven (rotated) in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction via separate gear shafts  24  and  34 , respectively. 
     While not previously referenced as such, it should be appreciated that the first and second power transfer means  26   a ,  26   b  can be correlated to separate clutch housings, while the corresponding forward and reverse gears  32   a ,  32   b  can be correlated to clutch discs corresponding to such housings. To that end, in certain embodiments, the forward and reverse gears  32   a ,  32   b  can be lockingly engaged with the corresponding power transfer means  26   a ,  26   b  via application of hydraulic pressure provided via a hydraulic pump (not shown). 
     In view of the above, it should be understood that the power coupling system  16  has many aspects that distinguish it from conventional outboard drive devices. For example, unlike known transmission types involving variable pulleys or automatic types, the embodied transmission  22  is manual actuated, and through use of the separate, yet similar gear shafts  24  and  34 , the output power in rotating the propeller shaft  14  (and thus, a propeller connected thereto) in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions can be provided to be substantially equal. In addition, via use of the interlocking gear wheels with the separate gear shafts  24  and  34  and drive shaft  28 , the output power in driving the propeller shaft  14  in either of clockwise or counter-clockwise directions can be rotated with similar speed and with considerable power. Furthermore, with respect to the interconnection of the gear shafts  24  and  34  and further drive shaft  28  via gear wheels, the housing for the transmission  16  can be configured as more compact than has been conventionally known for outboard drive devices. For example, instead of a housing needing to accommodate a single horizontal shaft situating forward and reverse gears on opposing ends of the shaft, the separate shafts  24 ,  34  afford the corresponding housing to have reduced depth. Likewise, rotatably connecting the forward and reverse gears  32   a    32   b  to the drive shaft  28  via gear wheels affords the corresponding housing to have reduced height. To that end, and with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in certain embodiments, the gear shafts  24  and  34  are made substantially parallel to each other (e.g., in same horizontal plane). 
     Regarding further aspects of the design, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the crankshaft  18  and the transmission drive shaft  24  extend from a first side of the outboard drive device  10 . To that end, in certain embodiments, the power transfer device  20  is arranged towards a hull or stern of the boat, wherein the crankshaft  18  and the transmission drive shaft  24  project away from such hull/stern. 
     Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the crankshaft  18 , the transmission shaft  24 , the further gear shaft  34 , the drive shaft  28  of the endless loop flexible drive coupling  22 , and the propeller shaft  14  extend in horizontal or substantially horizontal planes relative to vertical extent of the outboard drive device  10 . For example, the crankshaft  18 , the transmission shaft  24 , the further gear shaft  34 , the drive shaft  28  of the endless loop flexible drive coupling  22 , and the propeller shaft  14  are arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, various combinations of the shafts  24 ,  34 ,  28 , and  14  extend from the outboard drive device  10  in one or more common planes. For example, the transmission and further gear shafts (collectively, the gear shafts)  24  and  34  can be in a common, e.g., horizontal or substantially horizontal, plane. As a further example, the crankshaft  18  and propeller shaft  14  can be distributed along a common, e.g., vertical or substantially vertical, plane. Alternatively, or in combination, the crankshaft  18  and/or the propeller shaft  14  can be distributed along a common, e.g., vertical or substantially vertical, plane with one or more of the transmission shaft  24 , the further gear shaft  34 , and the drive shaft  28  of the endless loop flexible drive coupling  30 . Finally, while the forward and reverse gears  32   a ,  32   b  have been described as being situated on separate gear shafts  24 ,  34 , the gears  32   a ,  32   b  could be supported/rotated using structure of the outboard drive device  10  (other than by shafts), while maintaining general positioning of the gears  32   a ,  32   b  in side-to-side manner within the transmission  16 . 
     Thus, embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain disclosed embodiments, the disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation and other embodiments of the invention are possible. One skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.