Z-drive for a watercraft

• US 20050287882A1
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Supraventures AG
• Original Assignee: Supraventures AG
• Inventors: Muller, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US10/536,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20050287882A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 440/53
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/08 Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element, e.g. for trim, tilt or steering; Control of trim or tilt initiating means for steering B63H25/02
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/10 Means enabling trim or tilt, or lifting of the propulsion element when an obstruction is hit; Control of trim or tilt
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/18 allowing movement of the propulsion element about a longitudinal axis, e.g. the through transom shaft B63H20/22 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates t a Z-drive for a watercraft, said drive comprising an upper part, a lower part and a propeller. At least the propeller can be moved by means of a clutch housing, a cardan housing, and a trim cylinder. An intermediate part is arranged between the clutch housing and the Z-drive, enabling the Z-drive to be laterally pivoted in relation to the watercraft. The intermediate part enables the immersion depth of the propeller to be adjusted by pivoting the drive, and the trim standard of the Z-drive is independently adopted in a serviceable manner.

Claims

1. Z-drive for a watercraft, comprising an Z-transmission lower section, a Z-transmisison lower section, and a propeller, wherein at least the propeller is able to be moved via a bell-housing, cardan housing, and a trim cylinder, characterized in that an intermediate piece is located between the bell-housing and the Z-drive, by which intermediate piece the Z-drive is laterally pivotable relative to the watercraft.

2. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that an intermediate housing of the intermediate piece is fastened to the bell-housing, and that the intermediate housing accommodates a radially rotatable and bearing-mounted inner pivot tube which is fastened to the Z-drive.

3. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece is connected by at least one trim cylinder to the cardan housing.

4. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate piece has a pivot motor.

5. Z-drive according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot motor is effectively linked to the inner pivot tube about which the inner pivot tube rotates radially.

6. Z-drive according to claim 5, characterized in that the pivot motor is connected to the inner pivot tube through a drive means composed of a gear ring and a pinion.

7. Z-drive according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot motor is activatable by an electronic control and/or electronic signal.

8. Z-drive according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot motor is activatable by the person steering using buttons on the pilot'"'"'s control panel.

9. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that a shaft passes through the intermediate housing and the inner pivot tube.

10. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner pivot tube is radially supported by a radial bearing or sliding surfaces.

11. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate housing is an integral component of the bell-housing.

12. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the immersion depth of the Z-drive is adjustable independently of the trimming of the Z-drive and without adjustment of the motor shaft.

13. Z-drive according to claim 1, characterized in that an angle transmitter to measure the position of the Z-drive is integrated into the intermediate piece and enables further transmission and processing of the data.