Steering device for small watercraft

• US 7,320,629 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Okuyama, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotelo; Jesus
• Assistant Examiner(s): Venne; Daniel V
• Application Number:
  US11/155,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20050282447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 440/53, 440/61.A, 440/61.B, 440/61.C, 440/61.S, 440/63, 440 58- 60, 114/144.R, 114/150, 701/1
• 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 20/12 Means enabling steering
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2020/003 Arrangements of two, or more outboard propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/026 using multi-axis control levers, or the like, e.g. joysticks, wherein at least one degree of freedom is employed for steering, slowing down, or dynamic anchoring
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/22 the propulsion power units being controlled from exterior of engine room, e.g. from navigation bridge; Arrangements of order telegraphs
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/02 Initiating means for steering , for slowing down, otherwise than by use of propulsive elements, or for dynamic anchoring

Abstract

In a steering device for a small watercraft that has at least two outboard motors which propulsive directions and propulsive forces are individually controllable. The steering device can have a steering wheel that can be inclined relative to an axis of a steering shaft in any directions including a fore to aft direction and a transverse direction. A control unit that controls shift units and throttle units of the outboard motors so that a hull moves toward a side that is directed by the inclination of the steering wheel.

Claims

1. A steering device for a small watercraft comprising at least two outboard motors, the steering device comprising a steering unit configured to be rotatable about a steering axis and tiltable relative to the steering axis, a control unit configured to individually control propulsive directions and propulsive forces of each of the outboard motors, the control unit being configured to control shift units and throttle units of each of the outboard motors so that a hull of the watercraft moves toward a side of the hull in accordance with a tilting angle of the steering unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the respective outboard motors in response to the tilting angle only under a condition that a speed of the watercraft is slower than a preset speed.

2. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control propulsive force in response to an angle of inclination of the steering unit.

3. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the respective outboard motors so that the hull makes an immediate turn on a spot with an operation of the steering unit when the steering unit is rotated about the steering axis while the watercraft moves in a speed slower than a preset speed.

4. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the speed of the watercraft is an estimated speed that is computed from an engine speed or a throttle opening.

5. A steering device for a small watercraft comprising at least two outboard motors, the steering device comprising a steering unit configured to be rotatable about a steering axis and tiltable relative to the steering axis, a control unit configured to individually control propulsive directions and propulsive forces of each of the outboard motors, the control unit being configured to control shift units and throttle units of each of the outboard motors so that a hull of the watercraft moves toward a side of the hull in accordance with a tilting angle of the steering unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the respective outboard motors so that the hull makes an immediate turn on a spot with an operation of the steering unit when the steering unit is rotated about the steering axis while the watercraft moves in a speed slower than a preset speed, and wherein the speed of the watercraft is an estimated speed that is computed from an engine speed or a throttle opening.

6. A steering device for a small watercraft comprising at least two outboard motors, the steering device comprising a steering unit configured to be rotatable about a steering axis and tiltable relative to the steering axis, a control unit configured to individually control propulsive directions and propulsive forces of each of the outboard motors, the control unit being configured to control shift units and throttle units of each of the outboard motors so that a hull of the watercraft moves toward a side of the hull in accordance with a tilting angle of the steering unit, wherein the steering unit has a display monitor, and a moving direction of the hull is shown on the display monitor.

7. The steering device for a small watercraft according to claim 6, wherein a magnitude of the propulsive force generated when the hull moves is shown on the display monitor.