EP-4741642-A2 - IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AN OUTBOARD PROPULSION SYSTEM

EP4741642A2EP 4741642 A2EP4741642 A2EP 4741642A2EP-4741642-A2

Abstract

A steer-by-wire outboard propulsion system comprising: a first portion for attachment to a boat, wherein the first portion is fixed about a substantially vertical axis, and a second portion connected to the first portion and configured to rotate about a steering axis, wherein the first portion comprises a sealed housing enclosing a member having a longitudinal axis relative to which it may move, and the second portion comprises a gear configured to engage with the member such that movement of the member relative to its longitudinal axis generates rotational movement of the gear about the steering axis to steer the boat, wherein the sealed housing comprises a sensor configured to determine the position of the member within the sealed housing to enable the steering direction to be monitored and adjusted electronically, and wherein the outboard propulsion system further comprises a manual override valve configured to enable the outboard propulsion system to be steered manually.

Inventors

BREDDA, Scott

Assignees

CAUDWELL MARINE LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20210923

Claims (15)

A steer-by-wire outboard propulsion system comprising: a first portion for attachment to a boat, wherein the first portion is fixed about a substantially vertical axis, and a second portion connected to the first portion and configured to rotate about a steering axis, wherein the first portion comprises a sealed housing enclosing a member having a longitudinal axis relative to which it may move, and the second portion comprises a gear configured to engage with the member such that movement of the member relative to its longitudinal axis generates rotational movement of the gear about the steering axis to steer the boat, wherein the sealed housing comprises a sensor configured to determine the position of the member within the sealed housing to enable the steering direction to be monitored and adjusted electronically, and wherein the outboard propulsion system further comprises a manual override valve configured to enable the outboard propulsion system to be steered manually.
The outboard propulsion system according to claim 1, wherein the member comprises a magnet and wherein the sensor is configured to monitor the change in magnetic field produced by the magnet in order to determine the position of the member within the sealed housing.
The outboard propulsion system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises an engine and the second portion comprises a propeller shaft and wherein the engine is configured to provide motive power to the propeller shaft.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the gear is connected to the second portion such that rotation of the gear causes rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first portion comprises a transmission assembly configured to control the motive power provided to the propeller shaft.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the member is operably connected to a motor configured to generate movement of the member relative to its longitudinal axis.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the member comprises at least one protrusion.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the member is elongate.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the member moves along its longitudinal axis.
The outboard propulsion system according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the member moves around its longitudinal axis.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealed housing comprises a cylinder having a chamber configured to receive a hydraulic fluid.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealed housing comprises a cylinder having two chambers separated by the member, wherein each chamber is configured to receive a hydraulic fluid, and wherein the manual override valve is configured to enable the hydraulic fluid to flow directly between the first and second chamber to enable the outboard propulsion system to be steered manually.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the manual override valve is moveable between a first and second position configured to enable the outboard propulsion system to be steered manually.
The outboard propulsion system according to any preceding claim, wherein the sealed housing encloses two members, each having a longitudinal axis relative to which it may move, and wherein the gear is configured to engage with each member such that movement of at least one member relative to its longitudinal axis generates rotational movement of the gear about the steering axis.
The outboard propulsion system according to claim 14, wherein the first and second members are positioned such that rotational movement of the gear causes movement of the first member in a first direction and movement of the second member in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.

Description

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to an outboard propulsion system, and more specifically, to the steering arrangement of an outboard propulsion system. A conventional outboard propulsion system is a self-contained unit that can be fitted on the transom of a boat, the system comprising an engine, transmission and propeller (or jet drive). The entire unit can rotate relative to the transom about a vertical steering axis, to control the direction of thrust from the propeller and thus steer the boat. The entire unit can also be rotated relative to the transom about a transverse, horizontal trim/tilt axis, to trim the angle of attack of the thrust and/or to tilt the unit up, e.g. when not in use. The configurations of these propulsion systems include one or more complicated attachments to the boat's transom, comprising a hydraulic system, that allows the entire propulsion system to rotate about its steering axis and its trim/tilt axis. The complication is partly due to the multiplicity of rotation axes and partly because the entire system needs to rotate about these axes. Rotating the powerhead requires large forces and adequate space around the transom of the boat for the powerhead to rotate about the steering axis. To accommodate these rotational movements, the powerhead is usually supported well aft of the transom. Consequently, many traditional outboard motors comprise a steering lever that extends within the hull of the boat. This lever is attached to the powerhead and is used to rotate the motor relative to the transom to steer the boat. The lever requires adequate space to rotate and takes up valuable space within the hull of the boat. It is against this background that the present invention has arisen. According to the present invention, there is provided an outboard propulsion system comprising a first portion for attachment to a boat, wherein the first portion is fixed about a substantially vertical axis, and a second portion connected to the first portion and configured to rotate about a steering axis, wherein the first portion comprises a sealed housing enclosing a member having a longitudinal axis relative to which it may move and the second portion comprises a gear configured to engage with the member such that movement of the member relative to its longitudinal axis generates rotational movement of the gear about the steering axis, and wherein the sealed housing comprises a sensor configured to determine the position of the member within the sealed housing. The first portion may be attached to the boat via a fixing mechanism. The fixing mechanism may comprise a transom bracket configured to connect to the boat and a cradle configured to connect to the first portion. The cradle may be connected to the transom bracket and configured to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. Consequently, the first portion may rotate about a substantially horizontal axis. The substantially horizontal axis may be substantially parallel with the transom of the boat. Alternatively, or in addition, the substantially horizontal axis may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the boat. Enclosing the member within a sealed housing that is fixed about a substantially vertical axis enables the first portion to be extended down over the gear with which the member engages. This enables the positioning of connections between the outboard propulsion system and the cradle to be optimised. For example, the cradle may be connected to the first portion at a location that is positioned closer to the water level than the gear. This allows a larger engine to be used for a given bracket and/or cradle size. Alternatively, or in addition, a connection between the first portion and the cradle may be optimally positioned towards the bottom of the first portion. For example, a connection between the first portion and the cradle may be optimally positioned less than 500mm, 300mm, 200mm or 100mm from the bottom of the first portion. Furthermore, enclosing the movable member within the sealed housing within the first portion of the outboard propulsion system enables the member to be protected from the external environment, such as seawater and marine life. Consequently, the gear may be configured to engage with the member within the protection of the first portion, thus allowing all moving parts of the steering system to be internal. Alternatively, or in addition, the gear may be configured to engage with the member within the protection of the sealed housing, thus allowing all moving parts of the steering system to be internal. The sealed housing may be configured to enclose the entire first portion. For example, the sealed housing may enclose each member and the engine, in addition to any other components within the first portion. Consequently, the sealed housing may be the cowling or a part thereof. This reduces the number of seals between the internal components of the first portion and the external env