Streering device for marine vessels

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering control device for boats that includes a drive shaft, the rotation of which in one direction or in the opposite direction, by way of a control member, such as a steering wheel or helm mounted or mountable thereon, causes a steering input for an outboard motor or rudder. The steering input is generated by a transmission member, housed into a case, configured to transmit the rotational motion of the shaft to an actuator, associated or associable to the motor or rudder, through a transmission circuit. The device includes a first stationary part configured to be fastened on the bridge of the boat and a second movable part integral with the case of the transmission member. The drive shaft and the transmission member are coupled such that the change in the tilt of the shaft by a given angle causes a change in the tilt of the transmission member by the same angle with a corresponding change in the tilt of the case of the transmission member with respect to the stationary part of the device.

Claims

1. A steering control device for a boat comprising: a drive shaft (1), a rotation of which, in one direction or in an opposite direction caused by a control member causes a steering input for an outboard motor or rudder, said steering input being generated by a control signal or pulse generating device; and a transmission circuit enabling the control signal or pulse generating device to transmit pulses or signals generated by and corresponding to a rotation movement of the drive shaft to an actuator associated to an outboard motor, a rudder, or other units modifying a direction of a boat, wherein an assembly that includes the drive shaft and the control pulse or signal generating device is mounted to tilt about at least one axis perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft or parallel to a bridge of the boat by at least a pair of coaxial and diametrically opposite tilt pivots between said assembly and a structural element of the bridge.

2. The steering control device according to claim 1, further comprising a case housing the control signal or pulse generating device, the drive shaft protruding from the case, wherein the case (3) is tiltable together with said assembly, the at least two diametrically opposite tilt pivots being provided between said case and said structural element of the bridge.

3. The steering control device according to claim 2, wherein the steering control device is provided in combination with an additional tilt member connectable on demand to the case of the assembly of the drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device, and wherein the tilt member comprises a part adapted to be fastened to said case and a part adapted to be fastened to the structural element of the bridge, between said two parts two relative pivot points being provided in a position diametrically opposite and coaxial with each other.

4. The steering control device according to claim 3, wherein said tilt member comprises a first stationary part (6) configured to be fastened to the bridge of the boat at an opening housing the case (3) of the assembly of the drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device, and a second movable part (5) integral by being fastened to or as one piece with the case (3) of the assembly of drive shaft and control pulse or signal generating device, said stationary and movable parts (5, 6) being articulated (106, 207) with each other to define a tilt axis for at least the drive shaft with respect to the bridge that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft (1), said tilt axis being provided at an area of a rear half of the case (3) or of an assembly composed of said case (3) of a transmission member and of the drive shaft (1).

5. The steering control device according to claim 4, wherein a position of the tilt axis can be selected from at least one of the following options: the tilt axis is provided in an area of a rear end portion of said rear half of the case or of said assembly, or the tilt axis is provided in such a position with respect to a rear side of the case or of said assembly that the rear end of the case or of said assembly protrudes into the opening of the bridge such that regions of connection of the transmission circuit or of transmission elements remain inside a space of the bridge in any tilt positions, or in two limit tilt positions, members, accesses or entrances to the control device are made accessible from outside of the bridge to allow controls or replacements/repairs.

6. The steering control device according to claim 4, wherein, in the assembly, the drive shaft, the transmission member, and the case are coupled with each other such that a change in a tilt of the shaft by a given angle causes a tilt of the transmission member to change by a same angle with a corresponding change of a tilt of the case with respect to a surface of the bridge or to another reference direction.

7. The steering control device according to claim 4, further comprising a mechanism locking in tilt position that is manually activatable or deactivatable.

8. The steering control device according to claim 4, wherein said second movable part (5) associated to the case (3) or to said assembly is provided as a coupling frame or ring mountable and fastenable to the case (3) or to the assembly (1, 2, 3) in a fixed or removable manner, or is at least partially made as one piece with or integrated in said assembly.

9. The steering control device according to claim 4, wherein the stationary part comprises an outer annular element (6) configured to be fastened in a corresponding recess of a surface of the bridge, and wherein the movable part comprises an inner annular element (5) integral with the case of the transmission member (3), said inner and said outer annular elements being arranged one inside the other and articulated with each other such to enable the inner annular element (5) to tilt along a common diametric axis.

10. The steering control device according to claim 9, wherein a clamping element (107, 207, 307) is interposed between the outer annular element (6) and the inner annular element (5), the clamping element enabling the inner and outer annular elements to be releasably locked between a maximum negative tilt position and a maximum positive tilt position.

11. The steering control device according to claim 10, wherein the clamping element (107, 207, 307) comprises a lever control member.

12. The steering control device according to claim 9, wherein the outer annular element (6) has a first and a second diametrically opposite holes (106), the inner annular element (5) having a corresponding first and second diametrically opposite holes (105), a first pin and a second pin being inserted in each pair of first and second holes for allowing the inner and the outer annular elements to be articulated.

13. The steering control device according to claim 12, wherein the first or the second hole of the outer annular element (106) is surrounded by a crown of axial teeth (306) configured to abut a corresponding crown of axial teeth surrounding the first or the second hole (105) respectively of the inner annular element (5), the clamping element (7) comprising a lever (107) that axially moves close to or away from the two crowns to enable the two crowns to perform, or prevent the two crowns from performing, a relative rotation.

14. The steering control device according to claim 9, wherein the outer annular element (6) has flares (206) to enable the inner annular element (5) to have a larger tilt, said flares receiving the case of the control member (3) in its maximum interference position with the inner ring (5) tilted.

15. The steering control device according to claim 9, wherein the inner annular element (5) is fastened to the case (3) near its lower part to limit a region arranged under the bridge when the device is mounted thereon.

16. The steering control device according to claim 9, wherein the steering control pulse or signal generating device is selected from the group consisting of: a hydraulic device comprising a pump with a rotor (2), the inner annular element (5) being fastened to a case housing the pump (3) under the rotor (2); a mechanical device with bars and tie rods; an electric or electronic device comprising electromechanical sensors for generating electric signals uniquely related to an angle position of the drive shaft, there being provided output ports for said signals to communication lines; or a electrohydraulic or electromechanical device.

17. A steering control system for a marine vessel comprising: a tiltable steering member, a rotation of which causes a corresponding rotation of a drive shaft of a steering control device according to claim 1, the steering control device transmitting a steering input to a steering control element through a transmission circuit.

18. A kit for steering control of a marine vessel comprising: a steering member, a rotation of which causes a corresponding rotation of a drive shaft of a steering control device according to claim 1, the steering control device transmitting a steering input to a steering actuator, connected to a marine outboard motor or a control arm of a rudder, through a transmission circuit; and a tilt member for said steering control device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Features of the invention and advantages deriving therefrom will be more clear from the following detailed description of the annexed drawings wherein:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device according to one embodiment of the invention

[0050] FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of fig.1 according to different arrangements, particularly in a vertical position and with tilt of ±20°.

[0051] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a longitudinal section, according to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, of the device in the vertical position and with tilt of +20°.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a top view and a section view of the device according to a plane passing by the axis of rotation.

[0053] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective and top views respectively of the outer ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0054] The figures show the invention with reference only to the embodiment of a steering control device of the hydraulic type, which is composed of an axial piston pump supplying pressurized oil to the chambers of an actuating cylinder correspondingly to the direction of rotation and to the rotation angle of the steering wheel and therefore of the drive shaft. However, such choice is not be intended to be a limitation, since with clear adjustments the inventive idea can be transferred without any inventive steps also to steering systems having other types of control members such as those described hereinbefore in the present description, that is, mechanical, electromechanical, electrohydraulic and electronic, namely of the so called Steer by Wire type.

[0055] Moreover, the shown embodiment provides a control device with an axial piston pump, which is of the conventional type and which is provided in combination with a tilt member applicable to the case of said pump or the distributor valve integrated within said pump. Such embodiment is the most complex, since the tilt member is a tool applicable on demand and must not be considered a limitation for the present invention. As described hereinbefore, the case can be integrated with means for the oscillating fastening to the bridge that can be made according to different variants that are all part of the technical basic knowledge of a person skilled in the art and the specific selection of which falls within the range of normal opportunity choices that the person skilled in the art must perform in the designing phase.

[0056] With reference to the figures, a device according to the invention is provided in combination with a steering control device comprising a drive shaft 1 of a pump, whose rotor 2 is housed in a case 3 closed at the bottom by a base of the pump element 103 shaped like a flange for fastening to a valve body 4.

[0057] The pump is known and it can be of any type and an embodiment of such pump provides for a rotor having a plurality of axial compression chambers, which surround the drive shaft. A piston is axially slidably housed in each chamber and biased by elastic means with one end projecting out of one end side of the corresponding compression chamber against a cam track consisting of an annular plate inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor, for example as described in patent application IT GE2013A000088 to the same applicant, which is incorporated by reference in the present description.

[0058] The steering control device is mounted in a bridge, partially or completely embedded in a compartment underneath the panel of the bridge.

[0059] An inner annular element 5 surrounds the periphery of the valve body 4 in a substantially median position. Such element 5 has a cylindrical shape and has a pair of holes 105 on diametrically opposite walls.

[0060] Such inner annular element 5 is provided to be fitted inside an outer annular element 6 having corresponding diametral holes 106 intended to receive a pair of pins. Such pins allow the two elements 5 and 6 to be articulated according to a diametral axis and therefore to pivot one with respect to each other relative to a median, axial transverse plane.

[0061] The outer annular element 6 is configured to be mounted on the bridge or on the dashboard of a boat at an opening, which is provided in one of the walls of said bridge or said dashboard. Said opening is intended to house the rear part of the assembly, which is composed of the valve 4 and which has a shape corresponding to the first annular element. This annular element 6 is shaped like a frame and has a substantially cylindrical shape with conical flares 206 on the walls to allow the inner annular element to tilt more. Flares are provided to house the lower part of the valve body 4 in its interference position with the inner ring 5 tilted to a maximum extent.

[0062] A clamping element 7 is interposed between the outer annular element 6 and the inner annular element 5, allowing the two annular elements to be releasably locked between a maximum negative tilt position and a maximum positive tilt position.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, one of the two holes 105 of the outer annular element 6 is surrounded by a crown of axial teeth 306 intended to abut with a corresponding crown of axial teeth surrounding the corresponding hole of the inner annular element 5 (not shown in figures). The clamping element 7 comprises a lever 107 on the pin 207 that acts on a clutch element 307 that axially moves near/away the two crowns to allow/prevent them to/from rotating. When the user needs to change the tilt, he/she turns the lever 107 to move away the two front teeth crowns from each other, releasing the two rings for a relative oscillation with respect to each other and tilts the shaft 1 of the device. By again locking the lever 107 the two rings are again locked with each other and the new position is made stable by meshing the teeth of the crowns.

[0064] It is clear that as the encumbrance of the part under the axis of rotation of the annular element is smaller, the higher is the tilt achievable by the device. To this end the inner annular element 5 is advantageously fastened in proximity of the lower part of the device. It is anyway possible to simply move upwards the oscillation/tilt axis of the two annular elements, for example by clamping the inner annular element 5 to the body of the pump 3 above the valve assembly if it is necessary to reduce the encumbrance on the bridge to detriment of a smaller tilt angle.

[0065] It has to be noted also how advantageously the annular element 6 fastened to the bridge can be slightly elongated according to an axis perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and to the tilt axis. This provides, together with conical flares on the inner edges and curved portions facing the case in the oscillation direction, for more empty space to be provided to increase tilt.

[0066] There are different possible variants that partially depend on the structure of the cases of the assemblies of drive shaft, device generating control pulses or signals and the case.

[0067] As already described hereinbefore, the second annular element 5 can be omitted and the case or the valve 4, depending on the choice and on the type of transmission member, can directly bear the pins 105, 207 that may be made as a single piece or that may be fastened, for example by being tightened in threaded holes provided in a predetermined position on the body of the case and/or of the valve 4.

[0068] Even the position locking means may be selected among a considerable number of variants that are part of the technical basic knowledge of the person skilled in the art.

[0069] Still according to an optional but advantageous improvement, at least the annular element 6 associated with the bridge can have ribs, grooves, projections or fastening seats for one end of an elastic covering dome like a sleeve or the like.

[0070] The other end can be fastened to the annular element 6 associated to the case of the control device to means coupling/fastening said elastic dome or said sleeve provided in other points of the case.

[0071] The device shown in the figures described until now is of the hydraulic type, that is, with a pump transmission member. It can be clear seen that the teaching of the present invention can be extended to any type of steering system. The idea at the base of the invention is to cause the drive shaft and together the device generating control pulses or control signals, that is, the entire steering control device, to rigidly tilt together with the drive shaft, to enable the user to tilt the steering wheel or helm without putting out of alignment or without misaligning with each other the steering wheel and the drive shaft, independently of the type of means used to convert the rotational motion of the steering drive shaft into signals or pulses activating the steering actuator.

[0072] To this end other embodiments are possible, not shown in the figures, that provide for using steering systems that comprise a mechanical, rotary or rectilinear steering system, wherein the rotation of the drive shaft causes the translation of at least one steel cable to drive a mechanical actuator or electromechanical sensors, such as potentiometers, variable capacitors or Hall effect devices, that generate electric signals uniquely associated to the angle position of the same shaft for operating an electric motor actuator, or a electrohydraulic system where the signals generated by the steering wheel through the steering control device are converted into actions supplying pressurized fluid generated by a motorized pump to the chambers of an hydraulic actuator, or combinations thereof, such as for example the servoassisted systems described in patent application IT GE2011A000017.

[0073] All of the above without departing from the information principles disclosed above and claimed below.