Shaft profile and outboard drive

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shaft profile (11, 11', 11") for an outboard drive (1) for propelling a boat (100), comprising a base body (15) extending along a longitudinal axis (12), wherein the base body (15) comprises a receiving space (19) for receiving a shaft (10) of the outboard drive (1), wherein at least three support ribs (16) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) for radially guiding the shaft (10) are arranged on an inner side (22) of the receiving space (19). It further relates to an outboard drive (1).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shaft profile for an outboard drive for propelling a boat and an outboard drive for propelling a boat. State of the art

[0002] Outboard drives are a common means of propulsion for boats. They are usually attached to the stern of the boat via a mounting device, particularly a transom mount. Boats can have various stern shapes. If the transom has a flat stern plate, it is also referred to as a "transom." The transom can have different angles relative to the water surface. It can be perpendicular to the water surface, protrude diagonally above the water surface, or be tilted toward the interior of the boat. Furthermore, the angle of the transom relative to the water surface can vary depending on the boat's operating and / or loading conditions.

[0003] Outboard drives comprise a drive unit that is located underwater during operation. This includes a propeller that generates propulsion. The drive unit is connected via a shaft to a steering device of the outboard drive, such as a tiller, for setting the steering angle of the drive unit relative to the 0° direction, which corresponds to the bow-stern direction of the boat. The shaft is mounted on the mounting device so it can rotate about the steering angle rotation axis.

[0004] It is known to cover the shaft with a shaft profile to optimize the shaft's flow dynamics, particularly to reduce the flow resistance and the turbulence caused by the shaft in the water flowing around it during travel. The shaft profile thus serves to reduce flow resistance when traveling through water.

[0005] The shaft profile can comprise a plastic extrusion base body or an extruded base body comprising a metal alloy. Conventional shaft profiles have multiple chambers and a so-called cladding tube. The cladding tube is a tube extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft inside the shaft profile, through which the cylindrical shaft is inserted. The cladding tube supports the shaft profile on the shaft. Description of the invention

[0006] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shaft profile for an outboard drive for propelling a boat, as well as an improved outboard drive for propelling a boat.

[0007] The object is achieved by a shaft profile for an outboard drive for propelling a boat having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description and the figures.

[0008] Accordingly, a shaft profile for an outboard drive for driving a boat is proposed, comprising a base body extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the base body comprises a receiving space for receiving a shaft of the outboard drive.

[0009] On an inner side, i.e. a radially inner side or wall surface with respect to the longitudinal axis, of the receiving space, at least three support ribs extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis are arranged spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction for radially guiding the shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0010] The proposed shaft profile can therefore be manufactured much more easily and with less material consumption than conventional shaft profiles with a cladding tube. Instead of the cladding tube, which has a closed ring cross-section relative to the longitudinal axis, the proposed shaft profile only has the support ribs, thus significantly reducing the material required to form the guide and support the shaft on the shaft profile, or vice versa.

[0011] Furthermore, this allows for a slimmer shaft profile design compared to conventional shaft profiles with a duct. This slimmer design results in lower flow resistance and thus higher efficiency of the outboard drive.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the support ribs may have a rounded shape at their radially inward-facing free end.

[0013] For example, at least one support rib may have a concave curvature at its free end, i.e., be curved inward relative to the support rib. Alternatively or additionally, at least one support rib may have a convex curvature at its free end, i.e., be curved outward relative to the support rib.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the base body can have exactly one chamber, with the receiving space being formed in exactly one chamber. The base body can optionally comprise an outer wall of a predetermined wall thickness that is closed in the circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis and encloses exactly one chamber when viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In other words, a cross-sectional shape of the base body can optionally consist of the outer wall of a predetermined wall thickness, on the inner side of which the support ribs are formed.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the base body can be designed on at least one of its end faces to be connected in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the longitudinal axis to a component of the outboard drive arranged on this end face, for example a drive unit, for example a nacelle unit, of the outboard drive.

[0016] According to one embodiment, a connecting part, for example an elastic connecting part, for optionally elastically connecting the shaft profile to a component of the outboard drive arranged on this end face can be arranged on at least one of the end faces of the shaft profile relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the connecting part optionally provides a seal for the shaft profile.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the shaft profile, viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, can have a cross-sectional outer contour which is streamlined in a predetermined transverse direction, wherein the cross-sectional outer contour is, for example, drop-shaped.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the base body can be formed in one piece, i.e. from a continuous accumulation of material without connecting points, such as screw connections.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the base body can be an extrusion profile comprising plastic, a continuous casting profile comprising a metal alloy or an extruded profile comprising a metal alloy.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the shaft profile can comprise a replacement rudder section for providing a replacement rudder for a boat comprising the outboard drive. In the replacement rudder section, the shaft profile can have a predetermined length in the flow direction, which enables torques to be generated from the surrounding medium that are large enough to provide steering of the boat. In the replacement rudder section, a length of the shaft profile, for example of the base body, can be greater in the transverse direction than a length of a connection section of a drive unit, for example a nacelle unit, of the outboard drive. The replacement rudder section can therefore protrude transversely behind the connection section.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the replacement rudder section can extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis over the entire shaft profile, optionally over the entire base body. Alternatively, the replacement rudder section can extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis over a portion of the shaft profile, optionally over a portion of the base body.

[0022] The shaft profile can comprise a plurality of base body parts. The base body can be formed from a plurality of base body parts. At least one base body part can optionally comprise the replacement rudder section.

[0023] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by an outboard drive for a boat having the features of claim 10. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description and the figures.

[0024] Accordingly, an outboard drive for a boat is proposed, comprising a fastening device for fastening the outboard drive to a boat, and a drive unit which is arranged on the fastening device via a shaft so as to be rotatable about a steering angle rotation axis.

[0025] The outboard drive may comprise a shaft profile according to one of the preceding embodiments, which is arranged between the fastening unit and the drive unit on the shaft. Alternatively or additionally, the outboard drive may be configured to switch between a normal mode and a backup rudder mode.

[0026] In normal mode, a first shaft profile having a first length in the direction of a transverse direction oriented transversely to the steering angle rotation axis can be arranged between the fastening unit and the drive unit, and in the spare rudder mode, a second shaft profile having a second length different from the first length in the direction of the transverse direction can be arranged between the fastening unit and the drive unit.

[0027] In normal mode, the (first) shaft profile can be adapted to a connection section between the shaft profile and the drive unit. This can, for example, achieve particularly low flow resistance. In backup rudder mode, the longer (second) length of the (second) shaft profile can provide the functionality of a backup rudder. For example, if a boat's main rudder is lost or damaged while underway.

[0028] The outboard drive can be designed such that the shaft profile can be replaced, wherein, for example, a first shaft profile has a first length in a transverse direction oriented transversely to the steering angle rotation axis, and a second shaft profile has a second length different from the first length.

[0029] The conversion from normal mode to spare rudder mode can be performed when the outboard drive is not attached to the boat, for example, on the deck. Conversion is accomplished by removing a first shaft profile and installing a second shaft profile, which includes, for example, the spare rudder section, and vice versa. Short description of the characters

[0030] Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. Figure 1 schematically a sectional view through a boat with an outboard drive; Figure 2 schematic side view of the outboard drive Figure 1 ; Figure 3 schematically a perspective view of a shaft profile of the outboard drive from Figure 2 ; Figure 4 schematically a sectional view through the shaft profile from Figure 3 ; Figure 5 schematically a sectional view through a shaft profile according to a further embodiment; Figure 6 schematically a sectional view of a detail of the outboard drive of the Figures 1 and 2 ; Figure 7 schematically shows a side view of an outboard drive according to another embodiment; and Figure 8 schematically a side view of an outboard drive according to another embodiment. Detailed description of advantageous embodiments

[0031] Advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the various figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0032] In Figure 1 A schematic sectional view through a schematically indicated boat 100 is shown. An outboard drive 1 is attached to a transom 101 of the boat 100. The outboard drive 1 comprises a fastening unit 7 for this purpose. The outboard drive 1 further comprises a gondola-shaped drive unit 3 with a propeller 5 rotatable about a propeller axis 4, which is arranged below the waterline 110, i.e., under water.

[0033] The drive unit 3 is attached to a shaft 10, which is arranged on the mounting unit 7 so as to be rotatable about a steering angle rotation axis 6. The shaft 10 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a steering device 8 provided above the mounting unit 7, which in this case comprises a tiller 9. Thus, the steering angle of the drive unit 3 can be specified via the position of the steering device 8.

[0034] A streamlined, thin-walled shaft profile 11 is arranged around the shaft 10.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the outboard drive 1 on Figure 1 The cylindrical shaft 10 extending inside the outboard drive 1 is indicated by a dashed line. The shaft profile 11 encloses the shaft 10 between the fastening unit 7, which is designed here as a transom mount, and the drive unit 3.

[0036] The shaft profile 11 extends along its longitudinal axis 12, which, in the properly assembled state of the outboard drive 1, corresponds to or coincides with the steering angle rotation axis 6.

[0037] Relative to the longitudinal axis 12, the shaft profile 11 has a connecting part 13 on each of its end faces, one to the fastening unit 7 and one to the drive unit 3. According to this optional embodiment, the connecting part 13 to the fastening unit is made of a solid, i.e. inelastic, plastic, while the connecting part 13 to the drive unit 3 is an elastic connecting part 13.

[0038] Figure 3 shows schematically a perspective view of the shaft profile 11 of the outboard drive 1 of the Figures 1 and 2 .

[0039] It can be seen here that the shaft profile 11 comprises a base body 15 extending along the longitudinal axis 12, in which a receiving space 19 is provided for receiving the shaft 10 of the outboard drive 1.

[0040] The base body 15 has exactly one chamber 17, wherein the receiving space 19 is formed in exactly one chamber 17.

[0041] The base body 15 comprises an outer wall 18 closed in the circumferential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 12 and of a predetermined wall thickness 21 (see Figure 4 ), which encloses exactly one chamber 17 viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12.

[0042] On an inner side 22 of the receiving space 19, three support ribs 16 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 are arranged for radially guiding the shaft 10. The support ribs 16 protrude radially inward from the inner side 22 of the outer wall 18 relative to the longitudinal axis 12, in such a way that their free ends 20 lie on a common pitch circle diameter relative to the longitudinal axis 12, which essentially corresponds to the outer diameter of the shaft 10. As a result, a three-point guide of the shaft 10 on the shaft profile 11, or vice versa, is formed relative to a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12. Each of the support ribs 16 represents a linear guide of the shaft 10 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12.

[0043] The base body 15 is a one-piece extruded profile made of an aluminum alloy.

[0044] The shaft profile 11, more precisely the base body 15, has a cross-sectional outer contour viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12, which is streamlined in a transverse direction 14 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12, which is oriented parallel to the propeller axis 4 in the assembled state of the outboard drive 1.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12 through the base body 15 of the shaft profile 11 from Figure 3 It can be seen from this that the support ribs 16 according to this optional embodiment are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis 12, without being limited to a uniform distribution. Since three support ribs are provided here, the angle between adjacent support ribs is 120°.

[0046] At its radially inward-facing free end 20, each of the support ribs 16 has a rounded shape. In this case, the free end 20 is convexly curved, i.e., curved outward. This minimizes the contact area between the shaft 10 and the support ribs 16.

[0047] Furthermore, the streamlined drop shape of the base body 15 can be seen.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12 through a base body 15 of a shaft profile 11 according to a further embodiment. The shaft profile 11 essentially corresponds to that of Figure 4 , wherein the free ends 20 of the support ribs 16 are concave, i.e., curved inward. In this case, a radius of curvature of the concave curvature corresponds to a radius of the outer side of the cylindrical shaft 10.

[0049] Figure 6 shows schematically a detailed sectional view through the outboard drive 1 from the Figures 1 to 4in the area of ​​the connection between shaft 10, shaft profile 11 and drive unit 3.

[0050] It can be seen that the shaft 10 comprises a toothing 25 at its lower end, with which it engages in a correspondingly designed toothing 26 on the drive unit 3 in order to be able to transmit torques about the longitudinal axis 12, i.e. about the steering angle rotation axis 6.

[0051] The drive unit 3 comprises a projection 27, which, for example, as in the present case, extends at a distance from the longitudinal axis 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 into the chamber 11. Torques can be transmitted between the drive unit 3 and the shaft profile 11 through the projection 27.

[0052] Consequently, the shaft 10 and the shaft profile 11 are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner in the assembled state of the outboard drive 1. Alternatively or additionally, the shaft 10 and the shaft profile 11 can also be directly connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0053] The elastic connecting part 13 optionally forms a seal of the chamber 11 against the ingress of water.

[0054] The outboard drive 1 according to the Figures 1 and 2 is designed to switch between a normal mode and a backup rudder mode.

[0055] In normal mode, the outboard drive 1 includes the shaft profile 11 of the Figures 1 to 4 In replacement rudder mode, the shaft profile 11 is replaced by another shaft profile 11.

[0056] Figure 7 shows a side view of the outboard drive 1 according to Figure 1 , wherein here, instead of the shaft profile 11, which represents a first shaft profile 11 with a first length in the direction of the transverse direction 14 oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis 12, a second shaft profile 11' with a second length 31 in the transverse direction 14 different from the first length was installed.

[0057] The shaft profile 11', more precisely its base body 15, comprises a spare rudder section 30 for providing a spare rudder for the boat 100 comprising the outboard drive 1.

[0058] The replacement rudder section 30 comprises a length 31 in the transverse direction 14, which is greater by a predetermined amount 32 than that of the shaft 11 of the Figures 2 to 4 , and here is also greater than a length 33 of a connecting section 28 of the drive unit 3 to the shaft profile 11, 11'. Thus, when set to a rotation angle other than 0°, the shaft profile 11' can generate a torque from the water flowing around the shaft profile, the magnitude of which is sufficient to be able to steer the boat at least rudimentarily.

[0059] In the present case, the replacement rudder section 30 extends over the entire base body 15, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12, i.e. over its entire length in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12.

[0060] A reducing part 34 is arranged between the lower end face of the base body 15 and the connecting section 28, which compensates for the different lengths 31, 33. The reducing part 34 is designed to connect the shaft profile 11' and the drive unit 3, more precisely the connecting section 28, in a rotationally fixed manner, so that torques can be transmitted about the longitudinal axis 12, which corresponds to the steering angle rotation axis 6.

[0061] A reducing part 34, not shown here, can also be arranged on the upper side of the shaft profile 11', which forms a transition from the upper end face of the shaft profile 11' to the elastic connecting part 13 (see Figure 2 ) can provide.

[0062] Alternatively, the replacement rudder section 30 may extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 only over a part of the base body 15.

[0063] Figure 8 shows a side view of the outboard drive 1 according to Figure 1 and7 , whereby a third shaft profile 11" was installed instead of the shaft profiles 11, 11'.

[0064] The shaft profile 11" comprises a multi-part base body 15 composed of two base body parts 41, 42. Each of the base body parts 41, 42 can be regarded as a base body. The shaft profile 11" can therefore be regarded as comprising two base bodies (41, 42). The upper first base body part 41 has a length 35 in the transverse direction 14 analogous to the base body 15 of the shaft 11. Figure 2 The lower, second base body part 42 has a length 31 in the transverse direction 14 analogous to the shaft profile 11' Figure 7 The replacement rudder section 30 is thus formed on the second base body part 42.

[0065] It can be seen that the second base body part 42, when the outboard drive 1 is properly attached to the boat 100 (see Figure 1) below the waterline 110. Accordingly, the replacement rudder section 30 is formed only below the waterline 110. The replacement rudder section 30 therefore extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 only over a part of the shaft profile 11".

[0066] A reducing part 34 that connects the aforementioned parts in a rotationally fixed manner and / or seals against water ingress can be provided between the base body parts 41, 42. Furthermore, a reducing part 34 that provides a rotationally fixed connection and / or seals against water ingress can be provided between the drive unit 3 and the second base body part 42, and / or a further reducing part, not shown here, that optionally seals against water ingress can be provided on the upper end face of the first base body 41.

[0067] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0068] 1 Outboard drive 3 Drive unit 4 Propeller axis 5 Propeller 6 Steering angle rotation axis 7 Fastening unit 8 Steering device 9 Tiller 10 Shaft 11 Shaft profile 12 Longitudinal axis 13 Connecting part 14 Transverse direction 15 Base body 16 Support rib 17 Chamber 18 Outer wall 19 Receiving space 20 Free end 21 Wall thickness 22 Inside 25 Toothing 26 Toothing 27 Projection 28 Connecting section 30 Spare rudder section 31 Length of spare rudder section 32 Amount 33 Length of connecting section 34 Reducing part 35 First length 41 First base body part 42 Second base body part 100 Boat 101 Transom 110 Waterline

Claims

1. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") for an outboard drive (1) for propelling a boat (100), comprising a base body (15) extending along a longitudinal axis (12), wherein the base body (15) comprises a receiving space (19) for receiving a shaft (10) of the outboard drive (1), characterized in that on an inner side (22) of the receiving space (19) at least three support ribs (16) extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) are arranged for radially guiding the shaft (10).

2. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to claim 1, characterized in that the support ribs (16) have a rounded shape at their radially inwardly facing free end (20), wherein the free end (20) has, for example, a concave curvature or a convex curvature.

3. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe base body (15) has exactly one chamber (17), wherein the receiving space (19) is formed in exactly one chamber (17), wherein the base body (15) optionally comprises, in relation to the longitudinal axis (12), in the circumferential direction, a closed outer wall (18) of predetermined wall thickness (21), which encloses exactly one chamber (17) viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (12).

4. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (15) is designed on at least one of its end faces to be connected in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the longitudinal axis (12) to a component of the outboard drive (1) arranged on this end face, for example a drive unit (3), for example in the form of a nacelle unit, of the outboard drive (1).

5. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thaton at least one of the end faces of the shaft profile (11, 11', 11") relative to the longitudinal axis (12), a connecting part (13), for example an elastic connecting part (13), is arranged for optionally elastically connecting the shaft profile (11, 11', 11") to a component of the outboard drive (1) arranged on this end face, wherein the connecting part (13) optionally provides a seal for the shaft profile (11, 11', 11").

6. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft profile (11, 11', 11"), viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (12), has a cross-sectional outer contour which is streamlined in a predetermined transverse direction (14), the cross-sectional outer contour being, for example, drop-shaped.

7. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe base body (15) is formed in one piece and / or the base body (15) is an extrusion profile, a continuous casting profile or an extruded profile.

8. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shaft profile (11, 11', 11") comprises a replacement rudder section (30) for providing a replacement rudder for a boat (100) comprising the outboard drive (1), wherein in the replacement rudder section (30) the shaft profile (11, 11', 11") has a predetermined length (31), wherein optionally in the replacement rudder section (30) a length (31) of the shaft profile (11, 11', 11"), for example of the base body (15), in the transverse direction (14) is greater than a length (33) of a connection section (28) of a drive unit (3), for example a nacelle unit, of the outboard drive (1).

9. Shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to the preceding claim, characterized in thatthe replacement rudder section (30) extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) over the entire shaft profile (11, 11', 11"), optionally over the entire base body (15), or the replacement rudder section (30) extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) over part of the shaft profile (11, 11', 11"), optionally of the base body (15), and / or the base body (15) is formed from a plurality of base body parts (41, 42), wherein at least one base body part (41, 42) comprises the replacement rudder section (30).

10. Outboard drive (1) for a boat (100), comprising a fastening device (7) for fastening the outboard drive (1) to a boat (100), and a drive unit (3) which is arranged on the fastening device (7) via a shaft (10) so as to be rotatable about a steering angle rotation axis (6), characterized in thata shaft profile (11, 11', 11") according to one of the preceding claims is arranged on the shaft (10) between the fastening unit (7) and the drive unit (3) and / or the outboard drive (3) is designed to be switched between a normal mode and a spare rudder mode.

11. Outboard drive (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in normal mode, a first shaft profile (11, 11', 11") with a first length (35) in the direction of a transverse direction (14) oriented transversely to the steering angle rotation axis (6) is arranged between the fastening unit (7) and the drive unit (3) on the shaft (10), and in the replacement rudder mode, a second shaft profile (11, 11', 11") with a second length (31) different from the first length (35) is arranged in the direction of the transverse direction (12) between the fastening unit (7) and the drive unit (3) on the shaft (10).

12. Outboard drive (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in thatthe outboard drive (3) is designed such that the shaft profile (11, 11', 11") can be replaced, wherein, for example, a first shaft profile (11, 11', 11") has a first length (35) in the direction of a transverse direction (14) oriented transversely to the steering angle rotation axis (6), and a second shaft profile (11, 11', 11") has a second length (31) different from the first length (35).

Images