Steering system

• US 6,546,889 B1
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Issued: 04/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HB Performance Systems, Inc. (HB Performance Systems Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Hayes Brake Holding Company
• Inventors: Jacob, William V., Buckley, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Avila; Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A.
• Application Number:
  US09/943,331
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 114/144 E,144 R 192/223.4 180/364,369,400,427,431,446 74/498,500
• US Class Current: 114/144.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/166 Means changing the transfer ratio between steering wheel and steering gear
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/10 with mechanical transmission

Abstract

A steering transmission transmits steering forces that must be transmitted from a steering mechanism, such as a steering wheel or handlebars, to a steered mechanism, such as the rudder of a boat or the steered wheel(s) of an off-road vehicle. The steering transmission includes one and preferably both of a multi-ratio speed changer and a torque gate. The multi-ratio speed changer preferably takes the form of one or more planetary gear sets coupling an input shaft of the transmission to a rotary output of the transmission. The speed changer is shifted by manually operating a shifter to switch between two or more distinct speed change ratios, thereby permitting the operator to select the combination of responsiveness and steering effort desired for the prevailing operating conditions. The torque gate preferably takes the form of a release driver, a locking driver, and a wrapped spring disposed between the release driver and the locking driver. The spring moves relative to a housing or other stationary surface upon the transmission of steering forces to the clutch from the steering mechanism but grips the stationary surface upon the imposition of external backdrive forces on the steering system so as to prevent the transmission of those forces back to the steering wheel and other upstream components of the steering system.

Claims

1. A steering system comprising:

(A) a manually operated steering mechanism;

(B) a steered mechanism; and

(C) a steering transmission coupling said steering mechanism to said steered mechanism, said steering transmission including

(1) a multi-ratio speed changer having an input element that is coupled to said steering mechanism, an output element that transmits steering forces to said steered mechanism, and a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions to release a first rotatable gear of said speed changer and arrest a second rotatable gear of said speed changer from rotation and, thereby, vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct speed change ratios; and

(2) a torque gate coupling said output element of said speed changer to said steered mechanism so as to permit steering forces to be transmitted to said steered mechanism from said speed changer while preventing backdrive forces from being transmitted to said speed changer from said steered mechanism.

2. The steering system as recited in claim 1,

wherein said speed changer comprises at least one planetary gear set including a rotatable sun gear, a rotatable planet gear, a rotatable ring gear, and a plurality of rotatable planet gears positioned between said ring gear and said sun gear, wherein at least one of said gears of said planetary gear set is selectively arrestable from rotation upon movement of said shifter into one of said shifted positions thereof in order to alter the speed change ratio of said speed changer.

3. The steering system as recited in claim 2, wherein said ring gear is selectably fixable from rotation upon movement of said shifter into one of said shifted positions thereof.

4. The steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein said steering mechanism is a steering wheel.

5. The steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein said steered mechanism is one of a steered wheel of a wheeled vehicle and a rudder of a marine vessel.

6. A steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein both of said first and second speed change ratios are different from a 1:

1 ratio.

7. A steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein all components transferring torque from said input element to said output element remain axially stationary during shifting.

8. A steering system comprising:

(A) a manually operated steering mechanism;

(B) a steered mechanism; and

(C) a steering transmission coupling said steering mechanism to said steered mechanism, said steering transmission including

(1) a multi-ratio speed changer having an input element that is coupled to said steering mechanism, an output element that transmits steering forces to said steered mechanism, and a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions to vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct change ratios; and

(2) a torque gate coupling said output element of said speed changer to said steered mechanism so as to permit steering forces to be transmitted to said steered mechanism from said speed changer while preventing backdrive forces from being transmitted to said speed changer from said steered mechanism, wherein said speed changer includes

an input shaft coupled to said steering mechanism and forming said input element of said speed changer;

a first planetary gear set comprising a first sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a first ring gear, and a first plurality of planet gears disposed between said first ring gear and said first sun gear;

a second planetary gear set comprising a second sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a second ring gear, and a second plurality of planet gears disposed between said second ring gear and said second sun gear, wherein said first and second sun gears are of first and second different diameters; and

a common carrier for all of said planet gears, said carrier being coupled to an input element of said torque gate and forming at least part of said output element of said speed changer;

wherein

movement of said shifter between said first and second shifted positions selectively arrests one of said first and second ring gears from rotation to select the associated planetary gear set for torque transfer to said driven pin from said input shaft.

9. A steering system comprising:

(A) a manually operated steering mechanism;

(B) a steered mechanism; and

(C) a steering transmission coupling said steering mechanism to said steered mechanism, said steering transmission including

(1) a multi-ratio speed changer having an input element that is coupled to said steering mechanism, an output element that transmits steering forces to said steered mechanism, and a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions to vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct change ratios; and

(2) a torque gate coupling said output element of said speed changer to said steered mechanism so as to permit steering forces to be transmitted to said steered mechanism from said speed changer while preventing backdrive forces from being transmitted to said speed changer from said steered mechanism, wherein said torque gate comprises

(A) a stationary surface;

(B) a release driver that is coupled to said output element of said speed changer and that is rotatable relative to said stationary surface;

(C) a locking driver that is coupled to said steered mechanism and that is rotatable relative to said stationary surface, wherein said release driver and said locking driver have axially-extending drive surfaces that face one another with a circumferential gap therebetween; and

(D) a wrapped spring that has at least one coil that is disposed adjacent said stationary surface, wherein said spring, said release driver, said locking driver, and said stationary surface are dimensioned and configured relative to one another such that, (1) upon rotation of said release driver in either direction under torsional forces imposed on said torque gate by said speed changer, said spring rotates relative to said stationary surface so as permit rotation of said release driver and said locking driver, thereby permitting torque transfer to said steered mechanism from said output element of said speed changer, and (2), in the absence of the imposition of an overpowering steering forces on said release driver from said speed changer, and upon rotation of said locking driver in either direction under torsional forces imposed on said torque gate by said steered mechanism, said spring locks against said stationary surface so as prevent said drive surface of said locking driver from driving said release driver to rotate, thereby preventing torque transfer to said speed changer from said steered mechanism.

10. The steering system as recited in claim 9, wherein said wrapped spring has (1) first and driver engagement structures, each of which is positioned between the drive surfaces of said release driver and said locking driver, and (2) at least one coil that is disposed adjacent said stationary surface, wherein said release and locking drivers engage said driver engagement structures upon rotation thereof relative to said stationary surface, and wherein said coil engages said stationary surface to lock said spring against said stationary surface when said locking driver engages one of said structures in the absence of an overpowering steering force on said spring from said release driver.

11. The steering system as recited in claim 9, wherein said stationary surface comprises an inner peripheral surface of a housing for said torque gate, and wherein said spring locks against said inner peripheral surface of said housing when said locking driver rotates against one of said driver engagement structures in the absence of the imposition of an overpowering steering force on one of said driver engagement structures by said release driver.

12. An outboard motor steering system comprising:

(A) a speed changer including

(1) an input shaft configured for rotational coupling to a steering wheel of a boat,

(2) at least one output element,

(3) at least one planetary gear set including a sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a ring gear, and a plurality of planet gears disposed between said sun gear and said ring gear, and

(4) a shifter that is manually movable into a shifted position thereof to selectively arrest a component of said planetary gear set from rotation to alter a speed change ratio of said speed changer; and

(B) a torque gate including

(1) a housing having an inner peripheral surface,

(2) a release driver that is located within said housing, that is coupled to said output element of said speed changer, and that is rotatable relative to said housing,

(3) a locking driver that is located within said housing, that is configured for rotational coupling to a steered mechanism for a rudder of the boat, and that is rotatable relative to said housing, wherein said release driver and said locking driver have axially-extending drive surfaces that face one another with a circumferential gap therebetween, and

(4) a wrapped spring that is located within said housing and that is engageable by both said release driver and said locking driver, wherein said spring, said release driver, said locking driver, and said housing are dimensioned and configured relative to one another such that, (1) upon rotation of said release driver in either direction under torsional forces imposed on said torque gate by said speed changer, said spring rotates relative to said housing so as permit said rotation of said release driver and said locking driver, thereby permitting torque transfer to the steered mechanism from said output element of said speed changer, and (2), in the absence of the imposition of overpowering steering forces on one of said release driver from said speed changer, and upon rotation of said locking driver against said spring in either direction under torsional forces imposed on said torque gate by the steered mechanism, said spring locks against said inner peripheral surface of said housing so as prevent said drive surface of said locking driver from driving said release driver to rotate, thereby preventing torque transfer to said speed changer from the steered mechanism.

13. The steering system as recited in claim 12, wherein movement of said shifter into aid shifted position thereof arrests said ring gear from rotation, thereby altering a change ratio of said speed changer.

14. The steering system as recited in claim 12, wherein said speed changer includes

a first planetary gear set comprising a first sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a first ring gear, and a first plurality of planet gears disposed between said first ring gear and said first sun gear;

a second planetary gear set comprising a second sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a second ring gear, and a second plurality of planet gears disposed between said second ring gear and said second sun gear, wherein said first and second sun gears are of first and second different diameters; and

a common carrier for all of said planet gears, wherein said carrier is coupled to an input element of said torque gate and forms at least part of said output element of said speed changer;

wherein

said shifter is manually movable between at least first and second shifted positions to selectively arrest one of said first and second ring gears from rotation to select the associated planetary gear set for torque transfer to said driven pin from said input shaft.

15. The steering system as recited in claim 12, wherein the wrapped spring has (1) first and second tangs, each of that is positioned between the drive surfaces of said release driver and said locking driver, and (2) at least one coil that is disposed adjacent said inner peripheral surface of said housing, wherein said release and locking drivers engage said tangs upon rotation thereof relative to said stationary surface.

16. A multi-ratio speed changer for use in a multi-ratio steering system, said speed changer comprising:

(A) an input shaft configured for rotational coupling to a steering mechanism;

(B) an output element configured to transfer torque to a steered mechanism;

(C) a gearing system having at least one planetary gear set including a sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a ring gear, and a plurality of planet gears disposed between said sun gear and said ring gear; and

(D) a shifter that is manually movable from a first shifted position in which said shifter engages a first gear of said gearing system and arrests said first gear from rotation, into a second shifted position thereof to release said first gear and arrest a second gear of said gearing system from rotation to alter a change ratio of said speed changer, said second gear of said gearing system comprising a component of said planetary gear set.

17. The speed changer as recited in claim 16, wherein both of said first and second speed change ratios are different from a 1:

1 ratio.

18. The speed changer as recited in claim 16, wherein all components transferring torque from said input element to said output element remain axially stationary during shifting.

19. A multi-ratio speed changer for use in a multi-ratio steering system, said speed changer comprising:

(A) an input shaft configured for rotational coupling to a steering mechanism;

(B) an output element configured to transfer torque to a steered mechanism;

(C) at least one planetary gear set including a sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a ring gear, and a plurality of planet gears disposed between said sun gear and said ring gear; and

(D) a shifter that is manually movable into a shifted position thereof to selectively arrest a component of said planetary gear set from rotation to alter a change ratio of said speed changer, wherein said planetary gear set comprises a first planetary gear set comprising a first sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a first ring gear, and a first plurality of planet gears disposed between said first ring gear and said first sun gear, and further comprising

a second planetary gear set comprising a second sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a second ring gear, and a second plurality of planet gears disposed between said second ring gear and said second sun gear, wherein said first and second sun gears are of first and second different diameters;

a common carrier for all of said planet gears; and

a driven pin forming at least part of said output element of said speed changer; and

wherein

movement of said shifter is between said first and second shifted positions selectively arrests one of said first and second ring gears from rotation to select the associated planetary gear set for torque transfer to said driven pin from said input shaft.

20. A steering system comprising:

(A) a manually operated steering mechanism;

(B) a steered mechanism; and

(C) a steering transmission coupling said steering mechanism to said steered mechanism, said steering transmission including

(1) a multi-ratio speed changer having an input element that is coupled to said steering mechanism, an output element that transmits steering forces to said steered mechanism, and a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions to vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct change ratios; and

(2) a torque gate coupling said output element of said speed changer to said steered mechanism so as to permit steering forces to be transmitted to said steered mechanism from said speed changer while preventing backdrive forces from being transmitted to said speed changer from said steered mechanism, wherein said speed changer includes at least first and second planetary gear sets having different, distinct change ratios, and wherein movement of said shifter into a selected one of said shifted positions thereof selects one of said planetary gear sets for the transfer of torque from said steering mechanism to said steered mechanism.

21. The steering system as recited in claim 20, wherein

said first planetary gear set has a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first plurality of planet gears disposed between said first ring gear and said first sun gear; wherein

said second planetary gear set has a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and a second plurality of planet gears disposed between said second ring gear and said second sun gear;

wherein

said first and second sun gears are of first and second different diameters; and

wherein

movement said shifter into one of said shifted positions thereof arrests at least one gear of a corresponding one of said first and second planetary gear sets from rotation.

22. A torque gate for use in an anti-feedback steering system, comprising

(A) a housing having an inner peripheral surface;

(B) a release driver that is located within said housing, that is configured for coupling to a steering mechanism of the steering system, and that is rotatable relative to said housing, under the imposition of steering forces thereon by the steering mechanism, from a neutral position, through a release position, and into a drive position;

(C) a locking driver that is located within said housing, that is configured for coupling to a steered mechanism of the steering system, and that is rotatable relative to said housing, under the imposition of external forces thereon by the steered mechanism, from a neutral position and to a locking position, wherein said locking driver and said release driver have drive surfaces that overlap one another axially and that are spaced from one another circumferentially; and

(D) a wrapped spring that is located within said housing and that is engageable by both said release driver and said locking driver, wherein said spring, said release driver, said locking driver, and said housing are dimensioned and configured relative to one another such that, (1) upon rotation of said release driver through said release position and into said drive position in either direction under torsional forces imposed on said torque gate by the steering mechanism, said spring rotates relative to said housing so as permit rotation of said release driver said locking driver, thereby permitting torque transfer to the steered mechanism, and (2), in the absence of the imposition of overpowering steering forces on said release driver from the steering mechanism, and upon rotation of said locking driver to said locking position thereof in either direction under torsional forces imposed on said torque gate by the steered mechanism, said locking driver engages said spring so as to cause said spring to lock against said inner peripheral surface of said housing so as to prevent said locking driver from driving said release driver to rotate, thereby preventing torque transfer to the steering mechanism from the steered mechanism.

23. The torque gate as recited in claim 22, wherein the wrapped spring has (1) first and second driver engagement structures, each of which is positioned between the drive surfaces of said release driver and said locking driver, and (2) at least one coil that is disposed adjacent said inner peripheral surface of said housing, wherein said release and locking drivers engage said driver engagement structures upon rotation thereof relative to said inner peripheral surface of said housing.

24. The torque gate as recited in claim 23, wherein said driver engagements structures comprise tangs on opposed ends of said spring.

25. The torque gate as recited in claim 24, wherein, when said locking driver is in said locking position thereof, said locking driver engages an outer face of one of said tangs, said outer face being radially aligned with an axial end of an adjacent coil of said spring.

26. The torque gate as recited in claim 24, wherein, when said release driver is in said release position thereof, said release driver engages an inner face of one of said tangs that is radially offset from an axial end of an adjacent coil of said spring.

27. The torque gate as recited in claim 24, wherein said drive surfaces comprise flat, axially extending surfaces, and wherein engagement lugs are formed on at least one of the drive surfaces that engages the other drive surface upon rotation of said release driver past said spring release position thereof and into said driving position thereof.

28. A torque gate for use in an anti-feedback steering system, comprising

(A) a housing having an inner peripheral surface;

(B) a release driver that is located within said housing, that is configured for coupling to a steering mechanism of the steering system, and that is rotatable relative to said housing, under the imposition of steering forces by the steering mechanism, from a neutral position, through a release position, and into a drive position;

(C) a locking driver that is located within said housing, that is configured for coupling to a steered mechanism of the steering system, and that is rotatable relative to said housing, under the imposition of external forces by the steered mechanism, from a neutral position to a locking position, wherein said locking driver and release driver have drive surfaces that overlap one another axially and that are spaced from one another circumferentially; and

(D) a wrapped spring that is located within said housing and that is engageable by both said release driver and said locking driver, said wrapped spring including at least one coil that at least selectively engages an inner peripheral surface of said housing, and wherein a diameter of said housing is adjustable to maintain a desired positional relationship between said coil of said spring and said inner peripheral surface of said housing.

29. The torque gate as recited in claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said housing that surrounds said coil is torsionally relatively rigid but diametrically adjustable, and further comprising a clamp that engages said portion of said housing and that can be selectively tightened to adjust the diameter of said portion of said housing.

30. A steering transmission comprising:

(A) a housing having front and rear ends;

(B) a drive shaft journaled in and extending forwardly from said front end of said housing, said drive shaft being configured for connection to a steering mechanism;

(C) a multi-ratio speed changer that is disposed in said housing and that is driven by said shaft, said speed changer including a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions to disengage a first gear of said speed changer and engage a second gear of said speed changer and, thereby, vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct speed change ratios; and

(D) a torque gate that is disposed in said housing between said speed changer and said rear end of said housing, said torque gate including an input element coupled to said speed changer and an output element configured for coupling to a steered mechanism.

31. The steering transmission as recited in claim 30, wherein said housing is less than 12″

long.

32. The steering transmission as recited in claim 30, wherein said housing is less than 8″

long.

33. A steering transmission comprising:

(A) a housing having front and rear ends;

(B) a drive shaft journaled in and extending forwardly from said front end of said housing, said drive shaft being configured for connection to a steering mechanism;

(C) a multi-ratio speed changer that is disposed in said housing and that is driven by said shaft, said speed changer including a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct speed change ratios; and

(D) a torque gate that is disposed in said housing between said speed changer and said rear end of said housing, said torque gate including an input element coupled to said speed changer and an output element configured for coupling to a steered mechanism, wherein said torque gate comprises a spring that engages an inner peripheral surface of said housing, and wherein a diameter of said housing is adjustable to maintain a desired positional relationship between said spring and said inner peripheral surface of said housing.

34. A method comprising:

(A) imposing a steering force on a steering mechanism;

(B) transmitting said steering force to a rotary speed changer at a first rotational velocity;

(C) transmitting said steering force from said speed changer to a torque gate at a second rotational velocity, a ratio between said first and second rotational velocities being determined by a speed change ratio of said speed changer;

(D) transmitting said steering force to a steered mechanism from said torque gate;

(E) shifting said speed changer to alter said speed change ratio, the shifting step comprising moving a shifter

     1) from a first shifted position arresting a first rotatable gear of said speed changer from rotation and permitting a second rotatable gear of said speed changer to rotate

     2) to a second shifted position arresting said second gear of said speed changer from rotation and permitting said first gear of said speed changer to rotate; and

(F) preventing forces imposed on or by said steering mechanism from being transmitted back to said speed changer through said torque gate.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein said speed change ratio and said altered speed change ratio are constant for all operational positions of said steering mechanism.

36. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein the steps (B) and (C) comprise transmitting torque from an input shaft of said speed changer, through at least one planetary gear set of said speed changer, and to an output element of said speed changer, and wherein the shifting step comprises arresting rotation of at least one component of said planetary gear set.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the steps (B) and (C) comprise transmitting torque from an input shaft of said speed changer, through one of a plurality of planetary gear sets of said speed changer, and to an output element of said speed changer, and wherein the step (E) comprises disabling one of said planetary gear sets for torque transfer and enabling another of said planetary gear sets for torque transfer.

38. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the step (E) comprises releasing a gear of said one planetary gear set for rotation and arresting a gear of said another planetary gear set from rotation.

39. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein said shifting step comprises shifting between a first speed reduction ratio of less than 4:

1 to a second speed reduction ratio of more than 4;

1.

40. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein said shifting step comprises shifting between a first speed reduction ratio of no more than about 3:

1 to a second speed reduction ratio of no less than about 6;

1.

41. A method comprising:

(A) imposing a steering force on a steering mechanism;

(B) transmitting said steering force to a rotary speed changer at a first rotational velocity;

(C) transmitting said steering force from said speed changer to a torque gate at a second rotational velocity, a ratio between said first and second rotational velocities being determined by a speed change ratio of said speed changer;

(D) transmitting said steering force to a steered mechanism from said torque gate;

(E) shifting said speed changer to alter said speed change ratio; and

(F) preventing forces imposed on or by said steering mechanism from being transmitted back to said speed changer through said torque gate, wherein the step (D) comprises transmitting torque from a rotatable release driver of said torque gate, to a rotatable locking driver of said torque gate, and to a rotatable member coupled to said steered mechanism, and wherein the step (F) comprises rotating a locking driver of said torque gate into contact with a wrapped spring of said torque gate to cause said wrapped spring to lock against a stationary surface of said torque gate and prevent additional rotation of said locking driver relative to said stationary surface.

42. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein the step (D) comprises rotating said release driver from a neutral position, through a spring-release position in which said release driver engages said spring and drives said spring to rotate relative to said stationary surface, and to a driving position in which said release driver drives said locking driver to rotate.

43. A multi-ratio speed changer for use in a multi-ratio steering system, said speed changer comprising:

(A) an input shaft configured for rotational coupling to a steering mechanism;

(B) an output element configured to transfer torque to a steered mechanism;

(C) at least one planetary gear set including a sun gear mounted on said input shaft, a ring gear, and a plurality of planet gears disposed between said sun gear and said ring gear; and

(D) a shifter that is manually movable into a shifted position thereof to selectively arrest a component of said planetary gear set from rotation to alter a change ratio of said speed changer, wherein said shifter comprises a rod that is movable axially relative to said input shaft and a stop that is mounted on said rod and that engages a ring gear when said shifter is in said shifted position thereof to arrest said ring gear from rotation.

44. The speed changer as recited in claim 43, wherein said stop comprises a tang that engages a mating notch in said ring gear.

45. The speed changer as recited in claim 43, wherein said shifter further comprises a guide that slidably supports said rod, a spring-loaded plunger mounted on one of said guide and said rod, and a detent that is mounted on the other of said spring-loaded plunger and said rod and that cooperates with said plunger to bias said rod between first and second shifted positions thereof while inhibiting retention of said rod in a neutral position between said first and second positions.

46. The speed changer as recited in claim 45, wherein said detent comprises a generally triangular protrusion on an outer peripheral surface of said rod.

47. A steering system comprising:

(A) a manually operated steering mechanism;

(B) a steered mechanism; and

(C) a steering transmission coupling said steering mechanism to said steered mechanism, said steering transmission including

(1) a multi-ratio speed changer having an input element that is coupled to said steering mechanism, an output element that transmits steering forces to said steered mechanism, and a shifter that is movable between at least first and second shifted positions to vary a speed change ratio of said speed changer between at least first and second distinct speed change ratios, both of said speed change ratios being different than 1;

1; and

(2) a torque gate coupling said output element of said speed changer to said steered mechanism so as to permit steering forces to be transmitted to said steered mechanism from said speed changer while preventing backdrive forces from being transmitted to said speed changer from said steered mechanism.