IP Library Granted Patent US 8,277,268
Granted Patent B2
US 8,277,268 · App. 12/844,994 · Granted Oct 2, 2012

Outdrive unit for boats

Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,277,268
App. No.
12/844,994
Granted
Oct 2, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an outdrive unit that allows space to be saved in the positioning of a hydraulic circuit for trolling, and enables easy maintenance of the hydraulic circuit for trolling. The invention provides an outdrive unit mounted outside of a boat, including: a propeller for propulsion; a hydraulic clutch that controls driving of the propeller; a transmission mechanism that transmits drive power from the hydraulic clutch to the propeller; a hydraulic circuit that operates the hydraulic clutch, the hydraulic circuit comprising a switching valve that switches a rotational direction of the propeller, a pressure-reducing valve for trolling that reduces a pressure of a pressurized oil supplied to the hydraulic clutch, a filter for the pressurized oil introduced to the pressure-reducing valve, and a hydraulic pump that supplies the pressurized oil to the hydraulic clutch; a housing that houses at least one of the hydraulic clutch, transmission mechanism, and hydraulic circuit; a base on which the switching valve, pressure-reducing valve, and filter are mounted, the base being detachably mounted in the housing.

Claims (30)

1. An outdrive unit mounted outside of a boat, comprising:

a propeller for propulsion;

a hydraulic clutch that controls driving of the propeller;

a transmission mechanism that transmits drive power from the hydraulic clutch to the propeller;

a hydraulic circuit that operates the hydraulic clutch, the hydraulic circuit comprising a switching valve that switches a rotational direction of the propeller, a pressure-reducing valve for trolling that reduces a pressure of a pressurized oil supplied to the hydraulic clutch, a filter for the pressurized oil introduced to the pressure-reducing valve, and a hydraulic pump that supplies the pressurized oil to the hydraulic clutch;

a housing that houses at least one of the hydraulic clutch, transmission mechanism, and hydraulic circuit;

a base on which the switching valve, pressure-reducing valve, and filter are mounted, the base being detachably mounted in the housing; and

a sensor that is mounted on the base and detects rotation of the transmission mechanism or hydraulic clutch.

2. The outdrive unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a power-generating device that is mounted on the base and generates electrical power by rotation of the transmission mechanism or hydraulic clutch; and

a control device that is mounted on the base and controls the switching valve and pressure-reducing valve, the control device being operated with the electrical power generated by the power-generating device.

3. The outdrive unit according to claim 2 , wherein the control device is operated wirelessly from inside the boat.

4. The outdrive unit according to claim 1 , wherein:

the base is mounted on a stern side of the hydraulic clutch, and the hydraulic pump is also mounted in the base; and

the hydraulic pump is connected to the clutch shaft of the hydraulic clutch and is driven by rotation of the clutch shaft.

5. The outdrive unit according to claim 4 , wherein a detachable cover is provided on a stern side of the housing, allowing the base to be accessed by opening the cover.

6. An outdrive unit mounted outside of a boat, comprising:

a propeller for propulsion;

a hydraulic clutch that controls driving of the propeller;

a transmission mechanism that transmits drive power from the hydraulic clutch to the propeller;

a hydraulic circuit that operates the hydraulic clutch, the hydraulic circuit comprising a switching valve that switches a rotational direction of the propeller, a pressure-reducing valve for trolling that reduces a pressure of a pressurized oil supplied to the hydraulic clutch, a filter for the pressurized oil introduced to the pressure-reducing valve, and a hydraulic pump that supplies the pressurized oil to the hydraulic clutch;

a housing that houses at least one of the hydraulic clutch, transmission mechanism, and hydraulic circuit;

a base on which the switching valve, pressure-reducing valve, and filter are mounted, the base being detachably mounted in the housing;

a power-generating device that is mounted on the base and generates electrical power by rotation of the transmission mechanism or hydraulic clutch; and

a control device that is mounted on the base and controls the switching valve and pressure-reducing valve, the control device being operated with the electrical power generated by the power-generating device.

7. The outdrive unit according to claim 6 , wherein the control device is operated wirelessly from inside the boat.

8. The outdrive unit according to claim 6 , wherein:

the base is mounted on a stern side of the hydraulic clutch, and the hydraulic pump is also mounted in the base; and

the hydraulic pump is connected to the clutch shaft of the hydraulic clutch and is driven by rotation of the clutch shaft.

9. The outdrive unit according to claim 8 , wherein a detachable cover is provided on a stern side of the housing, allowing the base to be accessed by opening the cover.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 26, 2020
From: YANMAR CO., LTD.
To: YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 054162/0112 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2010
From: MISAO, HIDEO
To: YANMAR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 024752/0279 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2009-184617 · Aug 7, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110033298A1 · Feb 10, 2011