Drive Arrangement for Propelling a Boat

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a drive arrangement for propelling a boat, for example a kayak, having an electric drive motor with a shaft, a receiving device for receiving the shaft and a holder for holding the receiving device on the boat. In some embodiments, the receiving device is pivotable for pivoting the electric drive motor between an operating position and a tilt position relative to the holder. A switchable fixing device is provided for fixing the receiving device in the operating position. The fixing device has an overload protection for disconnecting the fixing in the operating position when a predetermined pivot force in the direction of the tilt position is exceeded.

Claims

1. A drive arrangement for propelling a boat comprising: an electric drive motor with a shaft and a receiving device for receiving the shaft, wherein the receiving device is designed for pivoting the electric drive motor between an operating position and a tilt position, and a switchable fixing device that is provided for fixing the receiving device in the operating position, wherein the fixing device has an overload protection for disconnecting the fixing device in the operating position when a predetermined pivot force in the direction of the tilt position is exceeded.

2. The drive arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is connected with the receiving device in such a way that the shaft can be rotated around a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

3. The drive arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device is pivotably connected to a holder between two holding arms of the holder, so that the receiving device can be pivoted around a pivot axis.

4. The drive arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the receiving device has a housing that is fitted to the holder between the two holding arms of the holder along the pivot axis, so that the receiving device can be pivoted around the pivot axis.

5. The drive arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device has an arresting lever and an arresting bolt, wherein the arresting lever engages the arresting bolt for fixing.

6. The drive arrangement according to claim 5, wherein a switching element is provided and the arresting lever can be engaged with the arresting bolt through activating the switching element in such a way that the receiving device is locked in the operating position, wherein the overload protection is formed by means of a design of the arresting lever in such a way that the arresting lever disconnects from the arresting bolt when a predetermined pivot force is exceeded, wherein the arresting lever has a correspondingly designed arresting flank, which forces the arresting lever out of engagement with the arresting bolt when a predetermined pivot force is exceeded.

7. The drive arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the overload protection of the fixing device comprises a pretensioning device for the arresting lever, wherein a spring element is provided and the switching element acts on the arresting lever via the spring element.

8. The drive arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the overload protection of the fixing device comprises an elastically designed arresting flank of the arresting lever, wherein the elastically designed arresting flank can be deformed in such a way that the arresting lever disconnects from the arresting bolt when the predetermined pivot force is exceeded.

9. The drive arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an angle a between one side of a holder for holding the receiving device on the boat in longitudinal direction of the boat and the longitudinal axis of the shaft is adjustable for setting the holder to an incline of a fitting area of the boat in such a way that the shaft stands almost vertical in relation to a water surface.

10. The drive arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the boat is a kayak.

11. A boat comprising: a drive arrangement comprising: an electric drive motor with a shaft and a receiving device for receiving the shaft, wherein the receiving device is designed for pivoting the electric drive motor between an operating position and a tilt position, and a switchable fixing device that is provided for fixing the receiving device in the operating position, wherein the fixing device has an overload protection for disconnecting the fixing in the operating position when a predetermined pivot force in the direction of the tilt position is exceeded a fitting area on a top of a boat end to which the drive arrangement can be fitted.

12. The boat according to claim 11, wherein the boat is a kayak.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a drive arrangement according to some embodiments;

[0045] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate schematic top views of the drive arrangement of FIG. 1, wherein the propeller is shown pivoted in different directions;

[0046] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are schematic side views of the drive arrangement of the preceding figures, wherein the drive arrangement is schematically shown in an operating position, a tilt position and in an interim position;

[0047] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G are schematic detailed views of several embodiments of an overload protection of a fixing device in an operating condition according to some embodiments;

[0048] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic views of the overload protection from FIGS. 4A and 4B during a pivot movement in the direction of the tilt position according to some embodiments;

[0049] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are schematic views of the drive arrangement in different holder positions on different boats; and

[0050] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are schematic views of the drive arrangement in a transport position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Embodiment examples are described as follows with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or identically acting elements in the various figures are identified with identical reference numbers and a repeated description of these elements is omitted in part to avoid redundancies.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a drive arrangement 10 for propelling a boat, in particular a kayak.

[0053] The drive arrangement 10 has an electric drive motor 12 with a shaft 16, a receiving device 26 for receiving the shaft 16, and a holder 14 for holding the receiving device 26 on the boat.

[0054] The receiving device 26 is pivotable between an operating position, which is shown in the present figure, and a tilt position, which is for example shown in FIG. 3C, relative to the holder 14 for pivoting the electric drive motor 12. In this way the drive motor can be quickly pivoted out of the water and fixed.

[0055] A particularly easy transport and a particularly easy lowering into the water and raising out of the water of the kayak can thus be realized especially when the drive arrangement 10 is fitted on a kayak in that the drive motor 12 is held in the tilt position.

[0056] In some embodiments, a switchable fixing device 28 is provided for fixing the position of the electric drive motor 12 in the operating position. The fixing device 28 not only applies propulsion directed in a forward direction to the kayak by means of the electric drive motor 12 pivotably received in the receiving device 26, but also propulsion directed in a backward direction. The pivotability of the electric drive motor 12 from the operating position into the tilt position would otherwise cause a pivoting of the electric drive motor 12 in the direction of the tilt position as soon as propulsion directed in a backward direction is applied by device of the electric drive motor 12. In other words, the switchable fixing device is of importance for allowing an operation of the electric drive motor 12 in all propulsion directions and for transferring this propulsion to the kayak as well.

[0057] During operation with forward-directed propulsion, the switchable fixing device 28 does not need to be switched to allow operation. Instead it is the case that a skipper will typically activate the switchable fixing device 28 only before he intends to activate the electric drive motor 12 with backward-directed propulsion. This switching for example takes place through activating the switchable fixing device 28 and with a corresponding pulley.

[0058] The fixing device 28 also prevents pendular movements and a vibration of the drive motor 12 during load changes.

[0059] In some embodiments, the fixing device 28 has an overload protection 300 for disconnecting the fixing device when a predetermined pivot force in the direction of the tilt position is exceeded. The skipper therefore does not need to actively intervene to protect the drive motor against damage. The overload protection 300 can be designed in a way that the same allows a pivot movement of the receiving device 26 in the direction of the tilt position from a predetermined pivot force for protecting the propeller or another part of the drive arrangement against damage during a collision with obstacles under the water. In this way, a pivotability of the electric drive motor 12 in the direction of the tilt position is released as soon as the drive motor 12 collides with an obstacle with a specific external force in forward direction of the boat. This means the skipper no longer needs to deal with securing the drive motor 12 himself, for example through early lifting. The drive motor 12 can therefore be optimally operated.

[0060] Setup time is of enormous importance, in particular for sports fishermen. The overload protection 300 allows a continuous operation of the drive motor 12 despite a risk of collision with obstacles under the water in an optimal operating position.

[0061] FIGS.2A-2B show by way of example how the shaft 16 is connected with the receiving device 26 in a way that the shaft 16 can be rotated around a longitudinal axis 17 of the shaft 16 for steering the boat by device of a corresponding alignment of the propulsion. A steering device 42 is also arranged at the upper end of the shaft. In some embodiments, the steering device 42 for example has a steering triangle with two legs 42a, 42b protruding outwards from the shaft. In a straight-ahead positioning of the drive motor 12 the legs are arranged on the shaft in a way that they are positioned in a direction that is parallel to a transom of the boat. One leg is arranged on the left side of the shaft and another leg on the right side of the shaft. A steering element 44a, 44b each, for example a rope or a wire, is fitted to the legs. The shaft can be rotated around the longitudinal axis into a first or second direction through activating one of the two steering elements to steer the boat.

[0062] Pulling the steering element 44b forwards is shown by way of an example in FIG. 2B, which has the consequence that the drive motor is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. The steering elements can for example be guided along a longitudinal direction of the boat in a foot-well of the boat (not shown), wherein the two steering elements are fitted to at least one activation element. In some embodiments, the two steering elements 44a, 44b can be activated by means of a pedal each for steering the boat. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the drive motor can be rotated up to 90° to the right or left.

[0063] In some embodiments, the receiving device 26 can be pivotably connected with the holder 14 between two holding arms 14a, 14b of the holder 14, so that the receiving device 26 can be pivoted around a pivot axis 15. In some embodiments, the electric drive motor 12 has a propeller 20. In a further example the receiving device 26 has a housing 34, which encases the receiving device 26 and is fitted to the holder 14 between the two holding arms 14a, 14b of the holder 14 along the pivot axis 15 in such a way that the receiving device 26 can be pivoted around the pivot axis 15. The pivot axis is vertical to a longitudinal axis of the boat and substantially parallel to a plane of the top of the boat. The housing 34 is designed in a way that it surrounds the shaft 16 and provides a rotatable mounting of the shaft 16 in this way, and simultaneously transfers the pivot movement of the receiving device 26 to the shaft 16 in the direction of the tilt position. In some embodiments, a slide bearing 33 (FIG. 5A) is provided between the shaft 16 and the housing.

[0064] FIGS. 3A-3C show the drive arrangement 10 in different position conditions. FIG. 3A shows the drive arrangement in the operating position. The operating position relates to a position of the drive motor in the water for moving the boat. The shaft of the drive motor is arranged substantially vertical to the water surface. The operating position is designed in a way that forward propulsion is the most optimal in this position with regard to maneuverability and forward propulsion. During forward travel the drive motor 12 is pushed into the operating position by the propulsion generated by the same and is then located at a stop that is predetermined by the receiving device 26 at the end of a pivot movement.

[0065] If the drive motor is switched free of propulsion or if the drive motor is switched to backwardly directed propulsion, an activation of the switchable fixing device 28 will prevent a pivoting of the drive motor in the direction of the tilt position. Fixing the drive motor 12 by means of the switchable fixing device 28 therefore serves for holding the motor stable in the water and for avoiding reeling movements of the drive motor 12 caused by inflowing water (schematically indicated by the arrows) or by exercising backward-directed propulsion. This positions the drive motor 12 in the best possible position in the operating position until the drive motor 12 collides with an obstacle and the overload protection allows a pivot movement into the tilt position to compensate for an impact of the obstacle, for example a stone (as schematically shown in FIG. 3B) on the drive motor 12. Following the collision with the obstacle the overload protection can be activated once more, for example, by switching the switchable fixing device 28.

[0066] FIG. 3B shows the drive motor after the same has collided with an obstacle (for example a stone) under water. In some embodiments, the force acting on the drive motor via the obstacle is such that the overload protection allows a pivot movement of the receiving device 26 in the direction of the tilt position (indicated by the curved arrow). FIG. 3C shows the drive arrangement 10 in the tilt position.

[0067] In some embodiments, the transport position is a position of the drive arrangement 10 that is pivoted in a way that the drive motor 12 is not submersed in the water. The drive motor 12 is pivoted in a way that the drive motor 12 is arranged at approximately the same height, for example above a top 3 of the boat. Accordingly, the pivot movement of the receiving device 26 in the direction of the tilt position is a pivot movement that moves away from a boat end, for example a stern of the boat, i.e. when an external force acts on the drive motor 12 in such a way that a specific threshold value of a pivot moment is transferred to the drive motor and is exceeded. Damage to the drive motor can be prevented in this way.

[0068] In some embodiments, the drive arrangement 10 further has a lever element 18 with an activation element 22. The lever element 18 is for example connected with the shaft 16 or the receiving device 26 in such a way that the drive arrangement 10 can be pivoted around the pivot axis 15 into the tilt position through activating the activation element 22 (FIG. 3C). The drive motor can therefore be pivoted out of the water quickly and can be fixed, for example for making the boat ready for transport or ready for landing.

[0069] It is also possible to lift the drive arrangement 10 into a transport position (see FIGS. 7A-7B). The drive motor 12 can be first shifted upwards in the direction of the end of the shaft 16 in the direction of the receiving device 26, as shown in FIG. 7A, in such a way that the drive motor 12 lies as close as possible on the receiving device 26. The drive motor 12 can then be pivoted upwards into the transport position away from the water or earth surface (FIG. 7B) and can then be fixed for transport with a vehicle (not illustrated). This takes place manually and can be carried out without activating a rope element. The drive motor and the boat can therefore be lifted onto a trailer (not shown) quickly without disconnecting the drive motor from the boat for transport. This is very important especially for sports fishermen, as competitions are carried out across several water regions. Fast and safe transport without damage is therefore essential.

[0070] In some embodiments, the receiving device 26 is connected to the holder 14 with a quick-release lever and forms the pivot axis 15 in this way. The receiving device 26 can therefore be quickly disconnected from the holder 14 and stored in a place other than the fitted condition on a transport trailer in an alternative way.

[0071] FIGS. 4A-4B show examples of an overload protection 300 of the switchable fixing device 28, which can be shifted into an operating position and automatically allows a pivot movement in the direction of the tilt position when a predetermined pivot movement of the drive motor arrangement 12 is exceeded. In some embodiments, the overload protection has a switching element 29, for example in the form of a fixing rope, an arresting lever 32 and an arresting bolt 36 adapted to the arresting lever 32. The arresting lever 32 is for example designed in a way that the arresting lever 32 arrests with the arresting bolt 36 in such a way when pulling the switching element 29 that the receiving device 26 can be shifted into the operating position and the electric drive motor 12 is therefore fixed against a pivot movement into the tilt position. The drive motor 12 is therefore ready for operation.

[0072] The arresting lever 32 is designed for forming the overload protection 300 in such a way that the arresting lever 32 disconnects from the arresting bolt 36 when the predetermined pivot force is exceeded and allows a pivot movement of the receiving device 26 into the tilt position (see FIG. 5B). In some embodiments, the arresting lever 32 is formed in a hook-shaped way.

[0073] In some embodiments, a spring element 30 is provided. An upper end of the spring element 30 is connected with the switching element 29 and a lower end of the spring element 30 is connected with the arresting lever 32. The spring element 30 can be tensioned by pulling the switching element 29 in such a way (FIG. 4B) that the arresting lever 32 arrests with the arresting bolt 36. The spring element is for example designed as a helical spring. The predetermined pivot force can be set in a very simple and precise way by selecting the spring element and the spring strength (for example a force that is just greater than the propulsion force during backward operation) from which the overload protection 300 is triggered, i.e. allows a pivot movement of the receiving device in the direction of the tilt position. The spring element 30 allows the arresting lever 32 to move counter to the spring pretensioning against its arresting position with the arresting bolt 36 when a corresponding force is applied to the same.

[0074] This force can be generated with a special design of the arresting flank 320 of the arresting lever 32 designed as an arresting hook. This arresting flank 320 is designed in a way that a force component acts in opening direction when the arresting lever 32 is submitted to a force through pivoting the drive motor 12. The arresting flank 320 is provided with an angle that supports such a force component acting in opening direction for this, for example a chamfering at an angle 322 of 1° to 5° to the tangential t with regard to the pivot axis 324 of the arresting lever 32. The tangential t stands vertically on the radial r in relation to the pivot axis 324 of the arresting lever 32.

[0075] In some embodiments, the arresting lever 32 is elastically and directly connected with the switching element 29 without an interconnected spring element, wherein the arresting lever 32 can be moved through activating the switching element 29 in such a way that the arresting lever 32 interlocks with the arresting bolt 36. The arresting lever 32 is deformable in such a way when the predetermined pivot force is exceeded that the arresting lever 32 disconnects from the arresting bolt. In some embodiments, the arresting lever is made from a rubber-like material, for example a neoprene material. The trigger force of the overload protection can be set by means of the elasticity of the rubber-like material. The force of triggering can further be set by means of the thickness and the shore hardness of the elastic material.

[0076] In some embodiments shown in FIGS. 4C-4E, at least one spring steel sheet 326 is arranged on the arresting lever 32 for providing the overload protection. The arresting lever 32 is connected with the switching element 29 via a connection element. The force of triggering can be varied with the spring stiffness of the spring steel sheet 326. The overload protection 300 is illustrated in the operating position in FIG. 4C. In FIG. 4D, the overload protection is loaded, so that the spring steel sheet 326 is deformed in a way where it will no longer engage the arresting bolt 36 when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded and allows a pivot movement of the drive arrangement 10 into the tilt position. This is shown in FIG. 4E. In some embodiments, the spring steel sheet 326 can also be replaced with a rubber-like material.

[0077] In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4F-4G, a triggering of the overload protection 300 can also be ensured by device of a predetermined breaking point 328 in the arresting lever 32. The arresting lever 32 is connected with the switching element 29 via a connection element. If a threshold value predetermined by the design of the predetermined breaking point 328 is exceeded, the arresting lever 32 will break at the predetermined breaking point 328 and allow a pivot movement of the drive position into the tilt position, as shown in FIG. 4G.

[0078] FIGS. 5A-5C show a series of schematic views of the overload protection 300 of the fixing device, which allows a pivot movement in the direction of the tilt position once the predetermined pivot force is exceeded. The arresting lever 32 is arrested or tensioned in the arresting bolt with the spring element 30 in FIG. 5A. This represents the operating position of the drive motor arrangement 10. FIG. 5B shows how the arresting lever 32 disconnects from the arresting bolt 36 after a part of the drive motor 12, for example the propeller 20, has collided with an obstacle under the water surface (not shown). The spring element 30 is designed in such a way that the spring element 30 is compressed so far from a predetermined pivot force that the arresting lever 32 disconnects from the arresting bolt 36. FIG. 5B shows how the arresting lever 32 is pulled in the direction of the tilt position behind the arresting bolt 36 by the pivot movement. The switching element 29 can be activated once more to return the drive motor arrangement 10 into the operating position.

[0079] FIGS. 6A-6C shows the drive arrangement 10 fitted to a top of the stern with a holder. Angle a is adjustable between one side of the holder 14a′, 14b′ in longitudinal direction of the boat 1 and the longitudinal axis 17 of the shaft 16 for setting the holder 14 to an incline of a fitting area of the boat in such a way that the shaft 16 stands almost vertical in relation to a water surface. Boats, in particular kayaks, very often have no level stern areas. To guarantee an optimal position of the drive motor or the propeller the incline of the stern area must be compensated, as a right-angled arrangement of shaft and holder would otherwise mean that no optimal position of the drive motor or the propeller in the water can be achieved. The optimal position of the propeller is a position of the propeller that applies a forward propulsion force to the boat in an operating condition, which is substantially parallel to the water surface.

[0080] FIG. 6D shows an enlarged section of the holder 14, which has at least one recess 40 on at least one holding arm 14a, 14b, wherein a trim bolt 38 is connected on the housing of the fixing device (FIGS. 6A-6C) and is designed for engaging the at least one recess 40. In some embodiments, several recesses 40 are arranged in a way that angle a between the side of the holder 14a′, 14b′ is adjustable in longitudinal direction of the boat and the shaft 16 through adjusting and/or repositioning the trim bolt into one of the recesses 40 for angle a to be set. The drive motor arrangement can therefore be adapted to the incline of a boat end, so that the drive motor is optimally positioned in the water irrespective of the incline of the boat end. Angle a is for example adjustable within an angle range of between 80° and 120°, preferably 90°-114°.

[0081] FIGS. 6A-6C further show a section (stern) of the boat 1, in particular a kayak, with a drive arrangement by way of example. The boat 1 has a fitting area 3, in which the drive arrangement 10 can be fitted to the boat. In one example (not shown) the fitting area is simultaneously a device for fitting an anchor, for example a motor-driven or manually drivable shallow water anchor in the form of an anchor post.

[0082] Where applicable, all individual characteristics illustrated in the embodiment example can be combined with and/or exchanged for each other without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0083] All patents, patent applications, and published references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or application. Various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art.