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  Steering system for outboard driveUSPTO Application #: 20060019558Title: Steering system for outboard drive Abstract: A steering system for an outboard drive includes a steering handle furnished on a watercraft, a steering device, a lever that has first and second ends, and a sensor. The first end of the lever is attached to the drive. The sensor senses an actual position of the steering handle to provide a position signal to the steering device. The steering device includes an electric motor that has an outer casing and a ball screw extending through the outer casing. The ball screw and the outer casing move relative to one another in accordance with the actual position of the steering handle. The second end of the lever is attached to the ball screw or the outer casing. The ball screw or the outer casing steers the drive through the lever. (end of abstract) Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP - Irvine, CA, US Inventors: Makoto Mizutani, Takahiro Oguma USPTO Applicaton #: 20060019558 - Class: 440059000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Marine Propulsion, Screw Propeller, With Means Effecting Or Facilitating Movement Of Propulsion Unit Or A Segment Of The Propulsion Unit (e.g., Tilting Or Steering), Having Toothed Or Threaded Member To Move Propulsion Unit Or A Segment Of The Propulsion Unit, Screw Type The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060019558. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY INFORMATION [0001] The present application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-000219, filed on Jan. 5, 2004, Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-000264, filed on Jan. 5, 2004, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-000267, filed on Jan. 5, 2004, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to a steering system for an outboard drive, and more particularly relates to an improved steering system that incorporates an electric motor for steering an outboard drive. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Many watercraft are propelled by one or more outboard motors mounted on a transom board. A typical outboard motor has a drive unit and a bracket assembly. The drive unit incorporates a propulsion device (e.g., a propeller) that propels the watercraft. The bracket assembly is mounted on the watercraft to support the drive unit and to enable pivotal movement of the drive unit about a steering axis. In a typical outboard motor, the steering axis is defined by a steering shaft coupled with the drive unit and extending vertically through the bracket assembly. [0006] The typical watercraft includes a steering system that incorporates a steering handle (e.g., a steering wheel). The steering handle is operable by the operator of the watercraft. A steering device is responsive to movements of the steering handle and is coupled with the steering shaft to cause the steering shaft to move in accordance with the movement of the steering handle. [0007] In some typical systems, a hydraulically operable steering device moves the steering shaft. Such a steering device includes a hydraulic system that occupies a relatively large space. The hydraulic system also includes a pipe arrangement that makes the steering device complicated. [0008] A steering device incorporating an electric motor can replace the hydraulic steering device. For example, Japanese Patent No. 2959044 discloses an electrical steering device having an electric motor, a rack and pinion mechanism, and a link mechanism. The electric motor drives a pinion of the rack and pinion mechanism to axially move a rack thereof, and the link mechanism rotates the steering shaft in accordance with the axial movement of the rack. The drive unit can thus change its position about the steering axis, thereby, turning the watercraft left or right. [0009] In the steering device disclosed in the above-referenced Japanese patent, the electric motor and the rack and pinion mechanism are disposed in a relatively large body positioned within the watercraft in front of the transom board. Thus, the steering device occupies a significant volume of space inside the watercraft or can interfere with other components in the watercraft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] An aspect of the present invention is recognition of the need for an outboard drive with an improved steering system with a simple and compact steering device for moving the steering shaft about the steering axis. To address such a need, an aspect of the present invention involves a steering system for an outboard drive that comprises a steering handle adapted to be finished on a watercraft, a steering device, a lever that has first and second ends, and a sensor. The first end of the lever is attached to the drive. The sensor senses an actual position of the steering handle to provide a position signal to the steering device. The steering device comprises an electric motor that has an outer casing and a ball screw arranged to extend through the outer casing. The ball screw and the outer casing move relative to one another in accordance with the actual position of the steering handle. The second end of the lever is attached to the ball screw or the outer casing. The ball screw or the outer casing steers the drive through the lever. [0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an outboard drive system comprises a drive unit. A steering shaft is attached to the drive unit and extends generally vertically. A swivel bracket is arranged to journal the steering shaft for steering movement of the drive unit about a steering axis. A clamping bracket can be mounted on the watercraft. A tilt pin extends generally horizontally through the swivel bracket and the clamping bracket. The clamping bracket supports the swivel bracket with the drive unit for tilt movement about a tilt axis. A lever has first and second ends. The first end of the lever is attached to the steering shaft. A steering device includes an electric motor that has an outer casing and a ball screw arranged to extend through the outer casing. The ball screw and the outer casing move relative to each other. The second end of the lever is attached to the ball screw or the outer casing. The ball screw or the outer casing moves the steering shaft about the steering axis through the lever. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments, which embodiments are intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention. [0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of an outboard motor mounted on a watercraft, and illustrates a steering system that is configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged top plan view of the outboard motor with a steering device of the steering system of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged top plan view of a portion of the outboard motor and the steering device, wherein the portion of the outboard motor is partially cross-sectioned. [0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation view of the portion of the outboard motor and the steering device shown in FIG. 3. [0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevation view of the portion of the outboard motor and the steering device shown in FIG. 3, wherein a swivel bracket of the outboard motor is positioned in a tilted down position. [0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the portion of the outboard motor and the steering device of FIG. 3, wherein the swivel bracket is positioned in a tilted up position. [0019] FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged top plan view of a portion of an outboard motor and another steering device modified in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the portion of the outboard motor is partially cross-sectioned. [0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a front elevation view of the portion of the outboard motor and the steering device of FIG. 7. Continue reading... Full patent description for Steering system for outboard drive Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Steering system for outboard drive patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Steering system for outboard drive or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Outboard motor Next Patent Application: Fin systems Industry Class: Marine propulsion ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Steering system for outboard drive patent info. 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