Outboard drive device

Abstract

An outboard drive device (10) comprising a motor (11) having a crankshaft (16), wherein said outboard drive device (10) further comprises a propeller shaft (12) with a propeller which propeller is below the hull (13) of a boat when said outboard drive device (10) is operated, and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor (11) to the propeller shaft (12). The motor (11) is an automotive motor or an industrial base engine, wherein the crankshaft (16) is substantially horizontal and substantially parallel to the propeller shaft (12) when said outboard drive device (10) is operated. The power coupling system comprises a power transfer device (17), a transmission (18) and a transmission drive shaft (19). The power transfer device (17) connects the crankshaft (16) with the transmission drive shaft (19) for transferring the output power from the crankshaft (16) to the transmission drive shaft (19). The transmission (18) comprises a forward gear (23) and a reverse gear (24), so that the output power is reversible.

Claims

1. An outboard drive device comprising: a motor having a crankshaft; a propeller shaft with a propeller below the hull of a boat when said outboard drive device is operated; and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor to the propeller shaft, the power coupling system comprising a power transfer device and a transmission with a transmission drive shaft; wherein the power transfer device connects the crankshaft with the transmission drive shaft for transferring output power from the crankshaft to the transmission drive shaft, the transmission comprises a forward gear and a reverse gear, so that the output power is reversible, the transmission is arranged below a bottom of the motor and between the crankshaft and the propeller shaft, the transmission being operably coupled to the propeller shaft for transferring the output power from the transmission drive shaft to the propeller shaft, each of the crankshaft and the transmission driveshaft and the propeller shaft being substantially horizontal, the crankshaft and the transmission drive shaft and the propeller shaft being and remaining substantially parallel vertically as the outboard drive device, used in propelling the boat, is shifted from one position to another in steering the boat.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the power transfer device extends in a substantially vertical direction between the crankshaft and the transmission drive shaft.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmission drive shaft extends in a substantially horizontal direction between the power transfer device and the forward and reverse gears.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmission drive shaft is arranged in parallel with the crankshaft and the propeller shaft and is vertically displaced below the crankshaft.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the forward and reverse gears are situated on the transmission drive shaft, and wherein the clutch is situated on the transmission drive shaft so as to be centrally located between the forward and reverse gears on the transmission drive shaft.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the clutch is connected to a hydraulic pump.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the crankshaft and the transmission drive shaft extend from a first side of the power transfer device.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the motor is an automotive motor or an industrial base engine.

9. A boat comprising a hull and an outboard drive device of claim 1, wherein the motor and the power coupling system are arranged outside the hull of the boat.

10. A method of manufacturing an outboard drive device, comprising the steps of a) arranging a transmission comprising a forward gear, a reverse gear, and a clutch in a drive housing; b), arranging a propeller shaft so that it extends through an aperture in said drive housing; c) after steps a and b locating a motor in an outboard motor housing, so that a crankshaft of said motor is arranged substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the propeller shaft when said outboard drive device is operated; and d) connecting said crankshaft to a transmission drive shaft of said transmission by means of a power transfer device, wherein each of the crankshaft and the transmission driveshaft and the propeller shaft are substantially horizontal and wherein the crankshaft and the transmission drive shaft and the propeller shaft are and remain substantially parallel vertically as the outboard drive device, used in propelling the boat, is shifted from one position to another in steering the boat.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of arranging the transmission drive shaft to extend in a substantially horizontal direction between the power transfer device and the forward and reverse gears.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of arranging the transmission between the crankshaft and the propeller shaft.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the forward and reverse gears are situated on the transmission drive shaft, and wherein the clutch is situated on the transmission drive shaft so as to be centrally located between the forward and reverse gears on the transmission drive shaft.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of arranging the power transfer device to extend in a substantially vertical direction between the crankshaft and the transmission drive shaft.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the crankshaft and the transmission driveshaft and the propeller shaft remain substantially aligned when shifted in position as the outboard drive device is used.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein each of the crankshaft and the transmission driveshaft and the propeller shaft remain substantially aligned vertically.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the crankshaft and the transmission driveshaft and the propeller shaft remain substantially aligned when shifted in position during use of the outboard drive device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the crankshaft and the transmission driveshaft and the propeller shaft remain substantially aligned when shifted in position during use of the outboard drive device.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an outboard drive device according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein a drive housing of the outboard drive device is partially illustrated by means of a dashed line, and wherein the outboard drive device is fastened to the stern of a boat and partially immersed in water, and

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the outboard drive device without said drive housing.

THE INVENTION

(4) The invention will now be described in more detail by means of an embodiment example and with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are schematic views of an outboard drive device 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The outboard drive device 10 comprises an outboard motor 11, a propeller shaft 12 for driving a propeller (not showed) and a power coupling system for transferring power from the motor 11 to the propeller shaft 12. The outboard drive device 10 is arranged to be connected to the hull 13 of a boat, so that the outboard drive device 10 is arranged outside the hull 13, wherein the motor 11 and the power coupling system are arranged outside the boat or outside the hull 13 of the boat. For example, the outboard drive device comprises conventional fastening means 14 for fastening the outboard drive device 10 to the stern of the hull 13. For example, the fastening means 14 comprises or is provided with a trim/tilt system, such as a hydraulic or electric trim/tilt system. For example, the trim/tilt system is conventional.

(5) When the outboard drive device 10 is operated the propeller shaft 12 and the propeller is arranged below the water line 15 and below the hull 13. Hence, the outboard drive device 10 is arranged to project a distance into the water when operated, so that the propeller and the lower portion of the outboard drive device 10 is immersed in the water, so that the water line 15 is arranged above the propeller.

(6) The motor 11 comprises a crankshaft 16 for output power. The crankshaft 16 is illustrated by means of dashed lines in the drawings. The crankshaft 16 extends substantially horizontally when the outboard drive device 10 is operated. In view of the invention as disclosed, a person skilled in the art would recognize that the crankshaft can be somewhat angled. In this context, substantially horizontally includes deviations from the horizontal plane with for example less than 10, suitably less than 5 and preferably less than 2. For example the crankshaft 16 is arranged with an angle of less than 10 and preferably less than 5. For example the crankshaft 16 is horizontal. The crankshaft 16 is arranged substantially parallel to the propeller shaft 12 when said outboard drive device 10 is operated. For example the angle between the crankshaft 16 and the propeller shaft 12 is less than 20, suitably less than 10 and preferably less than 5. Hence, the crankshaft 16 is arranged lengthwise with the boat, wherein the crankshaft 16 extends along the longitudinal axis of the boat. Hence, the motor 11 comprises or is connected to a substantially horizontal crankshaft 16. According to one embodiment of the present invention the motor 11 is an automotive engine or an industrial base engine.

(7) The power coupling system comprises a power transfer device 17, a transmission 18 having a transmission drive shaft 19, a power transfer means 20, a drive shaft 21 of an endless loop flexible drive coupling 22, the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 and the propeller shaft 12. The power transfer device 17 connects the crankshaft 16 with the transmission drive shaft 19 for transferring the output power from the crankshaft 16 to the transmission drive shaft 19. The power transfer device 17 comprises for example a belt, chain or gears connecting the crankshaft 16 with the transmission drive shaft 19. For example, the power transfer device 17 extends substantially vertical.

(8) The transmission 18 comprises a forward gear 23 and a reverse gear 24 connecting the transmission drive shaft 19 and the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 and thus forming the power transfer means 20 for transferring power to the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22. For example, the transmission 18 comprises a forward, neutral and reverse gears. According to one embodiment of the invention the transmission 18 also includes additional gears or similar to change the ratio of the rotational speed of the propeller with respect to the rotational speed of the crankshaft 16. Hence, the outboard drive device 10 is arranged with a transmission 18 so that the output power is reversible, wherein the propeller can be driven in a forward mode as well as a reverse mode. For example, the reverse gear 24 comprises an idler gear or a belt drive.

(9) The power coupling system according to one embodiment of the invention also comprises a clutch 25 having a clutch housing with clutch discs connected to a hydraulic pump 26 for the clutch 25. The clutch 25 is for example arranged as a dog clutch, automotive clutch any other conventional or special type of clutch.

(10) The crankshaft 16 and the transmission drive shaft 19 extend from a first side of the power transfer device 17. For example, one end of the crankshaft 16 and one end of the transmission drive shaft 19 are connected to the power transfer device 17, wherein the crankshaft 16 and the transmission drive shaft 19 terminates at the power transfer device 17 and projects in the opposite direction. For example, the power transfer device 17 is arranged towards the hull 13 or the stern, wherein the crankshaft 16 and the transmission drive shaft 19 project away from the stern.

(11) The power transfer means 20 connects the transmission 18 with the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22, wherein the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 transfers the output power from the transmission 18 to the propeller drive shaft 12. The endless loop flexible drive coupling is for example formed by at least one belt or at least one chain. For example, the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 is a toothed belt.

(12) The outboard drive device 10 comprises a drive housing 27 for receiving the power coupling system and a motor housing 28 for receiving the outboard motor 11. The drive housing 27 is partially illustrated by means of dashed lines in FIG. 1 and has been removed in FIG. 2. The drive housing 27 provides functions of structural support, spacing and enclosing for the power coupling system and also supports the propeller through the propeller shaft 12 being supported by the drive housing 27. The drive housing 27 is connected to a structure for pinching legs of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 together to reduce the cross-section of the outboard drive device 10 below the water line 15 to reduce drag. For example, said structure comprises curved surfaces bending the path of travel of the legs of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 together. Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention the drive housing 27 is formed for containing oil for the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22. Hence, the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 is running in a partially oil filled housing. According to one embodiment of the invention the drive housing is formed with a water inlet or a water pickup for cooling. The drive housing 27 is, for example, formed in a composite material or any other suitable material.

(13) The motor housing 28 is illustrated by means of dashed lines in FIG. 1 and has been removed in FIG. 2. The motor housing 28 is arranged for receiving a motor 11 having a horizontal crankshaft 16 or a crankshaft 16 that is substantially horizontal when the outboard drive device 10 is operated. The motor housing 28 is formed for receiving an automotive engine or an industrial base engine. The motor housing 28 is formed for receiving different kinds of motors having a horizontal crankshaft.

(14) According to one embodiment of the invention the crankshaft 16, transmission shaft 19, drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 and the propeller shaft 12 are horizontal or substantially horizontal. For example, the crankshaft 16, the transmission drive shaft 19, the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 and the propeller shaft 12 are arranged in parallel or substantially in parallel. According to further one embodiment the crankshaft 16, transmission shaft 19, drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 and the propeller shaft 12 are distributed along a common vertical plane.

(15) According to one embodiment of the invention the power coupling system for transferring power from the motor 11 to the propeller is positioned in the drive housing 27. Hence, the transmission 18, the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 and the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 is positioned in the drive housing 27. For example, the transmission drive shaft 19 and the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 is positioned substantially horizontally. The propeller shaft 12 is positioned partially in the drive housing 27, wherein a portion thereof projects out from the drive housing 27 for carrying the propeller. For example, the propeller shaft is positioned substantially horizontally in a conventional manner. The transmission drive shaft 19 is connected to the drive shaft 21 of the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 by means of the power transfer means 20, and the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 is connected to the propeller shaft 12. For example, the power transfer means 20 and the endless loop flexible drive coupling 22 are positioned so that they extend substantially vertically. Then the drive housing 27 with the power coupling system is packed and transported to a motor mounting facility, where the motor 11 is mounted, so that the crankshaft 16 is positioned substantially horizontally. Hence, the drive housing 27 and the power coupling system is stored and transported without the motor 11 and optionally without the propeller. The crankshaft 16 is then connected to the transmission drive shaft 19 by means of the power transfer device 17, wherein the power transfer device 17 is positioned so that it extends substantially vertically. Then, the motor housing 28 and the propeller is mounted.