U.S. patent application number 17/203275 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-28 for steering device and ship.
This patent application is currently assigned to HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.. Invention is credited to Xing SUN, Hayato TSUTSUI.
Application Number | 20220234710 17/203275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005474900 |
Filed Date | 2022-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220234710 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUN; Xing ; et al. |
July 28, 2022 |
STEERING DEVICE AND SHIP
Abstract
A steering device includes: a flow passage forming member
including a first flow passage connecting to a first chamber and a
second flow passage connecting to a second chamber; a movable
member movable relative to the flow passage forming member; a seal
member configured to seal a space between the movable member and
the flow passage forming member when the seal member is in contact
with the movable member and the flow passage forming member; an
operation part capable of rotating an outboard motor; and a
resistance reducing part configured to reduce a flow resistance so
that a fluid flows between the first and second flow passages even
with a pressure generated in the first chamber or the second
chamber due to an operation of the operation part by a load equal
to or lower than a predetermined load, when sealing is not made by
the seal member.
Inventors: |
SUN; Xing; (Hitachinaka-shi,
JP) ; TSUTSUI; Hayato; (Hitachinaka-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD. |
Hitachinaka-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
Hitachinaka-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005474900 |
Appl. No.: |
17/203275 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H 25/22 20130101;
B63H 25/30 20130101; B63H 20/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63H 20/12 20060101
B63H020/12; B63H 25/22 20060101 B63H025/22; B63H 25/30 20060101
B63H025/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 25, 2021 |
JP |
2021-009686 |
Claims
1. A steering device comprising: a flow passage forming member
including a first flow passage connecting to a first chamber in a
cylinder and a second flow passage connecting to a second chamber
in the cylinder; a movable member provided to be movable relative
to the flow passage forming member and capable of being arranged
between the first flow passage and the second flow passage; a seal
member arranged between the movable member and the flow passage
forming member and configured to seal a space between the movable
member and the flow passage forming member when the seal member is
in contact with the movable member and the flow passage forming
member; an operation part capable of rotating an outboard motor
when a pressure in the first chamber or the second chamber is
increased and capable of applying a pressure to the first chamber
or the second chamber to rotate the outboard motor when the
operation part is manually operated; and a resistance reducing part
configured to reduce a flow resistance so that a fluid flows
between the first flow passage and the second flow passage even
with a pressure generated in the first chamber or the second
chamber due to an operation of the operation part by a load equal
to or lower than a predetermined load, when sealing is not made by
the seal member.
2. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the movable
member has a cylindrical part that is fitted in a hole formed in
the flow passage forming member and communicating with the second
flow passage, the resistance reducing part is a through-hole formed
in the cylindrical part, and when sealing is made by the seal
member, the through-hole is located inside the hole, and when
sealing is not made by the seal member, the through-hole is located
outside the hole so that the fluid flows between the first flow
passage and the second flow passage via the through-hole.
3. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the movable
member has a cylindrical part that is fitted in a hole formed in
the flow passage forming member and communicating with the second
flow passage, and the resistance reducing part is a ring-shaped
flow passage formed between an outer peripheral surface of the
cylindrical part and an inner peripheral surface of the second flow
passage.
4. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein the movable
member has a first protrusion, which protrudes to have an outer
diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical part and
is in contact with the seal member, on a further downstream side
than the cylindrical part in a flow direction from the second flow
passage toward the first flow passage, and a second protrusion,
which protrudes to have an outer diameter larger than the outer
diameter of the first protrusion, on a further downstream side than
the first protrusion in the flow direction.
5. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein the movable
member has a first protrusion, which protrudes to have an outer
diameter larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical part and
is in contact with the seal member, on a further downstream side
than the cylindrical part in a flow direction from the second flow
passage toward the first flow passage, and a second protrusion,
which protrudes to have an outer diameter larger than the outer
diameter of the first protrusion, on a further downstream side than
the first protrusion in the flow direction.
6. The steering device according to claim 4, further comprising a
truncated conical connection path formed concentrically with the
second flow passage on a further downstream side than the second
flow passage in the flow direction and having an outer diameter
that becomes larger toward a downstream side in the flow
direction.
7. The steering device according to claim 5, further comprising a
truncated conical connection path formed concentrically with the
second flow passage on a further downstream side than the second
flow passage in the flow direction and having an outer diameter
that becomes larger toward a downstream side in the flow
direction.
8. The steering device according to claim 1, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
9. A ship comprising: a ship body; and the steering device
configured to change a traveling direction of the ship body
according to claim 1.
10. The steering device according to claim 2, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
11. A ship comprising: a ship body; and the steering device
configured to change a traveling direction of the ship body
according to claim 2.
12. The steering device according to claim 3, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
13. A ship comprising: a ship body; and the steering device
configured to change a traveling direction of the ship body
according to claim 3.
14. The steering device according to claim 4, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
15. A ship comprising: a ship body; and the steering device
configured to change a traveling direction of the ship body
according to claim 4.
16. The steering device according to claim 5, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
17. A ship comprising: a ship body; and the steering device
configured to change a traveling direction of the ship body
according to claim 5.
18. The steering device according to claim 6, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
19. A ship comprising: a ship body; and the steering device
configured to change a traveling direction of the ship body
according to claim 6.
20. The steering device according to claim 7, wherein the movable
member is cylindrical and has a seating surface provided at an end
portion on an opposite side to the second flow passage in a center
line direction, a spherical valve body being contacted to the
seating surface, and the steering device further comprising a cap
configured to accommodate therein the valve body and a pressing
part for pressing the valve body to the seating surface, together
with the movable member, and having a communication hole provided
on a further opposite side to the second flow passage than the
valve body and configured to communicate an inside and an outside
of the cap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-009686, filed on
Jan. 25, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a steering device, and a
ship.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A ship includes a steering device configured to control a
traveling direction of a ship body by swinging an outboard motor
right and left. For example, JP-A-2020-185885 discloses technology
about the steering device. The steering device disclosed in
JP-A-2020-185885 includes a cylinder, a motor, a hydraulic source,
a main valve, and an oil storage tank. The cylinder is demarcated
into a first chamber and a second chamber by a piston. The steering
device also includes a check valve that is opened when a hydraulic
pressure to the cylinder rapidly increases when supplying an
operating oil to a hydraulic circuit so that the piston slides from
the first chamber-side toward the second chamber-side. The steering
device also includes a check valve that is opened when the
hydraulic pressure to the cylinder rapidly increases when supplying
the operating oil to the hydraulic circuit so that the piston
slides from the second chamber-side toward the first chamber-side.
The steering device also includes a manual valve configured to
enable manual steering of manually changing the traveling direction
of the ship body by opening the valve.
[0004] An operation load when manually changing the traveling
direction of the ship body is preferably small.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a steering
device and the like capable of reducing an operation load when
manually changing a traveling direction of a ship body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
steering device including: a flow passage forming member including
a first flow passage connecting to a first chamber in a cylinder
and a second flow passage connecting to a second chamber in the
cylinder; a movable member provided to be movable relative to the
flow passage forming member and capable of being arranged between
the first flow passage and the second flow passage; a seal member
arranged between the movable member and the flow passage forming
member and configured to seal a space between the movable member
and the flow passage forming member when the seal member is in
contact with the movable member and the flow passage forming
member; an operation part capable of rotating an outboard motor
when a pressure in the first chamber or the second chamber is
increased and capable of applying a pressure to the first chamber
or the second chamber to rotate the outboard motor when the
operation part is manually operated; and a resistance reducing part
configured to reduce a flow resistance so that a fluid flows
between the first flow passage and the second flow passage even
with a pressure generated in the first chamber or the second
chamber due to an operation of the operation part by a load equal
to or lower than a predetermined load, when sealing is not made by
the seal member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
ship 100 in accordance with a first embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts an example of a cylinder 4, an arm 9, a pump
unit 3 and the like, as seen in a direction II of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts an example of a hydraulic circuit of a
steering device 1.
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
valve unit 50 in accordance with the first embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts a state where the valve unit 50 is inserted
up to a forefront side.
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
first valve 41.
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
manual valve 243 in accordance with a second embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
manual valve 343 in accordance with a third embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 9 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
manual valve 443 in accordance with a fourth embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 10A depicts an example of a schematic configuration of
a second valve 542 in accordance with a fifth embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 10B depicts an example of a schematic configuration of
a manual valve 543 in accordance with the fourth embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 11 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
valve unit 650 in accordance with a sixth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Note that, the embodiments of the present invention to be described
below are just exemplary, and the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments.
First Embodiment
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
ship 100 in accordance with a first embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts an example of a cylinder 4, an arm 9, a pump
unit 3 and the like, as seen in a direction II of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts an example of a hydraulic circuit of a
steering device 1.
[0023] The ship 100 includes a ship body 101, an outboard motor 102
mounted to the ship body 101 and configured to generate a
propulsion force, and a steering device 1 configured to change a
traveling direction of the ship 100 by using an oil that is an
example of the fluid. In descriptions below, a traveling direction
in a state where the ship 100 travels in a straight line may be
referred to as the front, an opposite direction to the traveling
direction may be referred to as the rear, the left side with
respect to the traveling direction may be referred to as the left,
and the right side with respect to the traveling direction may be
referred to as the right.
[0024] The steering device 1 has a ring-shaped steering wheel 2
provided to a front part of the ship body 101. The steering device
1 also includes a pump unit 3 configured to supply the oil
according to rotation of the steering wheel 2, and a cylindrical
cylinder 4 into which the oil supplied by the pump unit 3 is caused
to flow, which are provided to a rear part of the ship body 101.
The steering device 1 also includes a piston 5 by which a space in
the cylinder 4 is demarcated into a first chamber Y1 and a second
chamber Y2, and a rod 6 axially penetrating the cylinder 4 and
holding the piston 5. The steering device 1 also includes a piping
7 connected to the pump unit 3 and the first chamber Y1 of the
cylinder 4, and a piping 8 connected to the pump unit 3 and the
second chamber Y2 of the cylinder 4. The oil is supplied to any one
of the piping 7 and the piping 8, according to a rotation direction
of the steering wheel 2. The steering device 1 also includes a flat
plate-shaped arm 9 having one end attached to the outboard motor
102, and a link 10 connected to the arm 9 and the cylinder 4.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the pump unit 3 has a motor 20, a pump
21 having a pair of gears and configured to be driven to discharge
the oil by the motor 20, and a tank 22 in which the oil is stored.
A flow passage 31 leading to the first chamber Y1 and a flow
passage 32 leading to the second chamber Y2 are formed between the
pump 21 and the cylinder 4.
[0026] The pump unit 3 includes a main valve 23 arranged to
straddle the flow passage 31 and the flow passage 32 and configured
to switch a direction of the oil flowing toward the first chamber
Y1 or the second chamber Y2.
[0027] The pump unit 3 also includes a check valve 24 arranged on a
supply path 33 through which the oil is supplied from the tank 22
to the pump 21, and a check valve 25 arranged on a supply path 34
through which the oil is supplied from the tank 22 to the pump 21.
The supply path 33 is connected to a flow passage 31A leading from
the pump 21 to the main valve 23. The supply path 34 is connected
to a flow passage 32A leading from the pump 21 to the main valve
23.
[0028] The pump unit 3 also includes a first valve 41 that opens
when a pressure in a flow passage 31B leading from the main valve
23 to the first chamber Y1 becomes equal to or higher than a preset
pressure, thereby relieving the oil in the flow passage 31B to a
flow passage 32B leading from the main valve 23 to the second
chamber Y2. The pressure in the flow passage 31B becomes equal to
or higher than the preset pressure when an external force is
applied to the outboard motor 102 and the piston 5 is thus rapidly
moved toward the first chamber Y1, for example.
[0029] The pump unit 3 also includes a second valve 42 that opens
when a pressure in the flow passage 32B becomes equal to or higher
than a preset pressure, thereby relieving the oil in the flow
passage 32B to the flow passage 31B. The pressure in the flow
passage 32B becomes equal to or higher than the preset pressure
when an external force is applied to the outboard motor 102 and the
piston 5 is thus rapidly moved toward the second chamber Y2, for
example.
[0030] The pump unit 3 also includes a manual valve 43 that is
arranged on an flow passage between the flow passage 31B and the
flow passage 32B and can be manually opened and closed by a
user.
[0031] The pump unit 3 also includes a housing 30 (refer to FIG. 2)
in which the pump 21, the main valve 23, the check valve 24, the
check valve 25, the first valve 41, the second valve 42 and the
manual valve 43 are accommodated. The housing 30 is formed with the
flow passage 31A and the flow passage 32A. The housing 30 is
connected to the piping 7 and the piping 8. A part of the flow
passage 31B is constituted by the piping 7, and the flow passage
31B from the main valve 23 to the piping 7 is formed in the housing
30. A part of the flow passage 32B is constituted by the piping 8,
and the flow passage 32B from the main valve 23 to the piping 8 is
formed in the housing 30.
[0032] In the steering device 1 configured as described above, when
the steering wheel 2 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the oil
is supplied to the second chamber Y2 by the pump 21, so that a
pressure in the second chamber Y2 is increased. Thereby, the
cylinder 4 is moved leftward with respect to the piston 5 whose
position is fixed via the rod 6, so that the outboard motor 102 is
rotated in an A direction (counterclockwise direction) shown in
FIG. 1. As a result, the ship body 101 travels rightward. On the
other hand, when the steering wheel 2 is rotated in a
counterclockwise direction, the oil is supplied to the first
chamber Y1 by the pump 21, so that a pressure in the first chamber
Y1 is increased. Thereby, the cylinder 4 is moved rightward with
respect to the piston 5, so that the outboard motor 102 is rotated
in a B direction (clockwise direction) shown in FIG. 1. As a
result, the ship body 101 travels leftward.
[0033] In the below, the first valve 41, the second valve 42, and
the manual valve 43 are described.
[0034] (Valve Unit 50)
[0035] FIG. 4 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
valve unit 50 in accordance with the first embodiment.
[0036] The pump unit 3 of the first embodiment includes a valve
unit 50 where the second valve 42 and the manual valve 43 are
integrally constituted.
[0037] The valve unit 50 includes a spherical valve body 51, a
movable member 52 on which the valve body 51 is seated, a holding
member 53 configured to hold the valve body 51, a coil-shaped
spring 54, and a cap 55 for plugging a through-hole 35 formed in
the housing 30. The valve unit 50 also includes a handle 57 that is
gripped for operation with a hand by a user, and an annular seal
member 58 configured to seal a gap between the movable member 52
and the housing 30.
[0038] In the valve unit 50, the movable member 52 is press-fitted
into the cap 55 and is thus integrated in a state where the spring
54, the holding member 53 and the valve body 51 are accommodated in
the cap 55. The handle 57 is mounted to the cap 55. The valve unit
50 is inserted in the through-hole 35 formed in the housing 30 from
the movable member 52-side. The valve unit 50 is arranged so that
the movable member 52 is on the front side and the handle 57 is on
the rear side with respect to the ship body 101.
[0039] The movable member 52 has a cylindrical first part 521
provided on the forefront side, a cylindrical second part 522
provided behind the first part 521, a cylindrical third part 523
provided behind the second part 522, and a cylindrical fourth part
524 provided behind the third part 523.
[0040] The first part 521 is formed with a through-hole 525 for
communicating an inside and an outside. The through-hole 525 may be
one or may be formed in plural with equal intervals in a
circumferential direction.
[0041] An inner diameter of the second part 522 is the same as an
inner diameter of the first part 521, and an outer diameter of the
second part 522 is larger than an outer diameter of the first part
521.
[0042] An inner diameter of the third part 523 is larger than the
inner diameter of the second part 522, and an outer diameter of the
third part 523 is the same as the outer diameter of the second part
522.
[0043] An inner diameter of the fourth part 524 is the same as the
inner diameter of the third part 523, and an outer diameter of the
fourth part 524 is smaller than the outer diameter of the third
part 523.
[0044] An end portion on a rear side of the fourth part 524 is
formed with a concave portion 526 recessed from an inner peripheral
surface. An end portion on a front side of the concave portion 526
is formed with a seating surface 527 on which the valve body 51 is
seated and which is inclined relative to a center line C1.
[0045] The holding member 53 is a columnar member having an outer
diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the spring 54. The
holding member 53 has a protrusion part 531 provided at an end
portion on a front side and protruding outward from an outer
peripheral surface. An outer diameter of the protrusion part 531 is
larger than a center diameter of the spring 54, and is equal to or
smaller than the outer diameter of the fourth part 524 of the
movable member 52. The protrusion part 531 supports an end portion
on a front side of the spring 54.
[0046] The cap 55 has a cylindrical tubular part 551 provided on a
front side, a columnar first pillar-shaped part 561 provided behind
the tubular part 551, and a columnar second pillar-shaped part 562
provided behind the first pillar-shaped part 561.
[0047] An inner diameter of the tubular part 551 is larger than the
outer diameter of the spring 54 and the outer diameter of the
protrusion part 531 of the holding member 53, so that the spring
54, the holding member 53 and the valve body 51 are accommodated in
the tubular part 551.
[0048] The inner diameter of the tubular part 551 is smaller than
the outer diameter of the fourth part 524 of the movable member 52,
and an outer diameter of the tubular part 551 is substantially the
same as the outer diameter of the third part 523 of the movable
member 52. The tubular part 551 and the movable member 52 are
fitted (press-fitted) by interference-fit.
[0049] In the tubular part 551, a through-hole 553 for
communicating an inside and an outside is formed behind a part in
which the fourth part 524 of the movable member 52 is fitted. In
the tubular part 551, a male screw 554 that is fastened to a female
screw 355 formed in the through-hole 35 is formed at a part behind
the through-hole 553.
[0050] The first pillar-shaped part 561 is formed with a groove 563
recessed from an outer peripheral surface over an entire
circumference. In the groove 563, an O-ring 564 for sealing a space
between an outer peripheral surface of the cap 55 and an inner
peripheral surface of the through-hole 35 is fitted.
[0051] An end portion on a rear side of the second pillar-shaped
part 562 is formed with a female screw 565. A bolt 59 is fastened
to the female screw 565, so that the handle 57 is attached to the
second pillar-shaped part 562.
[0052] The seal member 58 has an inner diameter that is larger than
the outer diameter of the first part 521 of the movable member 52,
and an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the outer
diameter of the second part 522.
[0053] The through-hole 35 has a columnar first hole 351 formed on
a front side and a columnar second hole 352 formed on a rear side
and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the first hole 351.
The first hole 351 communicates with the flow passage 32B. The
second hole 352 communicates with the flow passage 31B via a
connection hole 353 formed in a direction of intersecting with the
center line C1 of the second hole 352. Note that, an opening on a
front side, which is opposite to a side in which the valve unit 50
is inserted, of the through-hole 35 is closed.
[0054] The valve unit 50 configured as described above is mounted
to the housing 30 by operating the handle 57 to fasten the male
screw 554 of the cap 55 to the female screw 355 formed in the
through-hole 35. The seal member 58 is attached to an outer side of
the first part 521 of the movable member 52, and the seal member 58
is arranged between the second part 522 of the movable member 52
and the housing 30.
[0055] FIG. 5 depicts a state where the valve unit 50 is inserted
up to the innermost side.
[0056] The user can change a screwing depth of the valve unit 50 to
the housing 30 by operating the handle 57. As shown in FIG. 5, the
user can insert forward the valve unit 50 until the seal member 58
comes into contact with the second part 522 of the movable member
52 and the housing 30. On the other hand, the user can move
rearward the valve unit 50 until an end face on the rear side of
the first pillar-shaped part 561 of the cap 55 is butted against a
clip 354 attached to the housing 30.
[0057] In a state (hereinbelow, also referred to as `first state`)
where the seal member 58 is in contact with the second part 522 of
the movable member 52 and the housing 30, the seal member 58 seals
the gap between the movable member 52 and the housing 30. For this
reason, in the first state, the oil is difficult to flow between
the flow passage 31B and the flow passage 32B through a ring-shaped
flow passage R1 between an outer peripheral surface of the first
part 521 of the movable member 52 and an inner peripheral surface
of the first hole 351 of the through-hole 35 of the housing 30.
[0058] In addition, in the first state, the valve body 51 is
applied with a spring force of the spring 54 via the holding member
53 and is thus seated on the seating surface 527 of the movable
member 52, so that the valve body 51 is not opened unless the
pressure in the flow passage 32B becomes equal to or higher than a
preset pressure. The preset pressure is set as a value that the
pressure in the flow passage 32B is difficult to reach simply by
manually operating the arm 9.
[0059] As a result, it is difficult to rotate the outboard motor
102 by manually operating the arm 9 in a direction in which the
piston 5 moves toward the second chamber Y2-side.
[0060] Note that, in the first state, when the pressure in the flow
passage 32B becomes equal to or higher than the preset pressure,
the valve body 51 moves rearward against the spring force of the
spring 54, so that a gap is formed between the valve body 51 and
the seating surface 527 of the movable member 52. For this reason,
the oil flows from the flow passage 32B to the flow passage 31B
through an inside of the movable member 52, the gap between the
valve body 51 and the seating surface 527 of the movable member 52,
and the through-hole 553 of the tubular part 551 of the cap 55.
[0061] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state
(hereinbelow, also referred to as `second state`) where the seal
member 58 is not in contact with the second part 522 of the movable
member 52 and the housing 30, the seal member 58 does not seal the
gap between the movable member 52 and the housing 30. Therefore,
the oil can easily flow between the flow passage 31B and the flow
passage 32B through the ring-shaped flow passage R1. As a result,
when the user unfastens the male screw 554 and takes out the valve
unit 50 rearward, it is possible to rotate the outboard motor 102
more easily by manually operating the arm 9, as compared to the
first state.
[0062] In addition, when the valve unit 50 is moved until the
through-hole 525 formed in the first part 521 of the movable member
52 is located behind the first hole 351 of the housing 30, the oil
flows from the flow passage 32B to the flow passage 31B through the
through-hole 525. An area of the through-hole 525 is greater than a
flow area of the ring-shaped flow passage R1. As a result, since a
flow resistance of the oil flowing between the flow passage 31B and
the flow passage 32B is reduced, an operation load is reduced when
manually changing the traveling direction of the ship body 101 by
operating the arm 9.
[0063] From the above, the valve body 51, the movable member 52,
the holding member 53, the spring 54, the cap 55, the seal member
58 and the housing 30 constitute the second valve 42. The movable
member 52, the cap 55, the handle 57, the seal member 58 and the
housing 30 constitute the manual valve 43 that can open and close
the flow passage between the flow passage 31B and the flow passage
32B by the user's operation.
[0064] Note that, the clip 354 is provided in a position where the
end face on the rear side of the first pillar-shaped part 561 of
the cap 55 is butted when the end portion on the front side of the
first part 521 of the movable member 52 is located in the first
hole 351 of the housing 30. This is to locate the seal member 58 on
the outer side of the first part 521 even when the male screw 554
is unfastened and the valve unit 50 is taken out rearward by the
user.
[0065] (First Valve 41)
[0066] FIG. 6 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of
the first valve 41.
[0067] The first valve 41 includes a spherical valve body 61, a
movable member 62 on which the valve body 61 is seated, a holding
member 63 configured to hold the valve body 61, a coil-shaped
spring 64, and a cap 65 for plugging a through-hole 36 formed in
the housing 30. The first valve 41 also includes an annular seal
member 68 for sealing a gap between the movable member 62 and the
housing 30.
[0068] Since the valve body 61, the movable member 62, the holding
member 63 and the spring 64 are each similar to the valve body 51,
the movable member 52, the holding member 53 and the spring 54 of
the valve unit 50, the detailed descriptions thereof are
omitted.
[0069] The cap 65 is different from the cap 55, in that it does not
have the second pillar-shaped part 562 and the handle 57 is not
attached thereto.
[0070] The first valve 41 is inserted in the through-hole 36. The
through-hole 36 has a columnar first hole 361 formed on a rear side
and a columnar second hole 362 formed on a front side and having a
diameter larger than a diameter of the first hole 361. The first
hole 361 is configured to communicate with the flow passage 31B.
The second hole 362 is configured to communicate with the flow
passage 32B via a connection hole (not shown) formed in a direction
of intersecting with a center line of the second hole 362.
[0071] The first valve 41 is inserted in the through-hole 36 until
the seal member 68 comes contact with the movable member 62 and the
housing 30. The valve body 61 is applied with a spring force of the
spring 64 via the holding member 63 and is thus in contact with a
seating surface 627 of the movable member 62. When the pressure in
the flow passage 31B becomes equal to or higher than the preset
pressure, the valve body 61 separates from the seating surface 627.
When the pressure in the flow passage 31B becomes equal to or
higher than the preset pressure, the valve body 61 is moved forward
against the spring force of the spring 64, so that a gap is formed
between the valve body 61 and the seating surface 627 of the
movable member 62. As a result, the oil flows from the flow passage
31B to the flow passage 32B through an inside of the movable member
62, the gap between the valve body 61 and the seating surface 627
of the movable member 62, and a through-hole 653 of a tubular part
651 of the cap 65.
[0072] The preset pressure at which the valve body 61 starts to
move is set as a value that the pressure in the flow passage 31B is
difficult to reach simply by manually operating the arm 9.
[0073] As a result, it is difficult to rotate the outboard motor
102 by manually operating the arm 9 in a direction in which the
piston 5 moves toward the first chamber Y1-side.
[0074] However, as shown in FIG. 4, the user unfastens the male
screw 554 to take out the valve unit 50 rearward, and causes the
seal member 58 not to seal the gap between the movable member 52
and the housing 30, thereby enabling the oil to easily flow between
the flow passage 31B and the flow passage 32B. Thereby, it is
possible to easily rotate the outboard motor 102 by manually
operating the arm 9.
[0075] As described above, the steering device 1 includes the
housing 30 as an example of the flow passage forming member where
the flow passage 31B as an example of the first flow passage
connecting to the first chamber Y1 in the cylinder 4 and the flow
passage 32B as an example of the second flow passage connecting to
the second chamber Y2 in the cylinder 4 are formed. The steering
device 1 also includes the movable member 52 as an example of the
movable member provided to be movable relative to the housing 30
and capable of being arranged between the flow passage 31B and the
flow passage 32B. The steering device 1 also includes the seal
member 58 arranged between the movable member 52 and the housing 30
and sealing a space between the movable member 52 and the housing
30 when the seal member 58 is in contact with the movable member 52
and the housing 30. The steering device 1 also includes the arm 9
as an example of the operation part capable of rotating the
outboard motor 102 when the pressure in the first chamber Y1 or the
second chamber Y2 is increased and applying a pressure to the first
chamber Y1 or the second chamber Y2 to rotate the outboard motor
102 when it is manually operated. The steering device 1 also
includes the through-hole 525 as an example of the resistance
reducing part that reduces a flow resistance so that the oil as an
example of the fluid flows between the flow passage 31B and the
flow passage 32B, when the sealing is not made by the seal member
58.
[0076] Here, an area S (cm.sup.2) of the through-hole 525 of the
first part 521 of the movable member 52 is determined so that a
manual steering load F of the arm 9 is equal to or lower than a
preset upper limit load Fm. More specifically, the area S is
calculated using following equations (1), (2) and (3). Note that,
the upper limit load Fm may be 100(N), for example.
Q = C * S .times. 2 * G * ( P 1 - P 2 ) r ( 1 ) ##EQU00001##
[0077] Q is a flow rate (cm.sup.3/sec) of the oil to flow per a
unit time and is determined by the equation (2). P.sub.1 is a
pressure (MPa) on a high pressure-side (for example, the pressure
in the flow passage 32B when the arm 9 is steered so that the
piston 5 moves toward the second chamber Y2) and is a value
determined by the equation (3). C is a resistance coefficient of a
flow passage, G is the acceleration of gravity (=980 cm/sec),
P.sub.2 is a pressure (MPa) on a lower pressure-side, and r is a
specific gravity (Kgf/cm.sup.3).
Q=Sp.times.Lp/t (2)
[0078] Lp is a stroke (cm) of the piston 5, and t is an operating
time (sec) of the arm 9 (piston 5).
P.sub.1=k.times.Fm/Sp (3)
[0079] k is a coefficient corresponding to a length of the arm 9
and Sp is a sectional area (cm.sup.2) of the piston 5.
[0080] Note that, in a case of Fm=100 (N), C=0.7, P.sub.2=0 (MPa),
r=0.000851 (Kgf/cm.sup.3), Sp=36.32 (cm.sup.2), Lp=3.79 (cm), t=3
(sec) and k=6.9, the area S is 0.0322 (cm.sup.2).
[0081] In the case of the area S=0.0322 (cm.sup.2), when the
through-hole 525 is one, the hole diameter is 0.202 (cm), and when
the through-hole 525 is two, the hole diameter is 0.143 (cm). When
the two through-holes 525 are provided and the hole diameter is set
to 0.15 (cm), the manual steering load F can be made equal to or
lower than the upper limit load Fm.
[0082] As described above, when the sealing is not made by the seal
member 58, the through-hole 525 of the first part 521 of the
movable member 52 reduces the flow resistance so that the oil flows
between the flow passage 31B and the flow passage 32B even with the
pressure generated in the first chamber Y1 or the second chamber Y2
due to the operation of the arm 9 with the load equal to or lower
than the upper limit load Fm.
[0083] The flow resistance reducing function of the through-hole
525 is exhibited as the through-hole 525 is provided as described
above. That is, in the steering device 1, the movable member 52 has
the first part 521 as an example of the cylindrical part that is
fitted in the first hole 351 as an example of the hole formed in
the housing 30 and communicating with the flow passage 32B. When
the sealing is made by the seal member 58, the through-hole 525 is
located inside the first hole 351, and when the sealing is not made
by the seal member 58, the through-hole 525 is located outside the
first hole 351 so that the fluid flows between the flow passage 31B
and the flow passage 32B via the through-hole 525.
[0084] In the steering device 1, the movable member 52 is
cylindrical, and has the seating surface 527 provided at the end
portion on the opposite side to the flow passage 32B in the
direction of the center line C1 and being in contact with the
spherical valve body 51. The steering device 1 has the cap 55
configured to accommodate therein the valve body 51, the holding
member 53 as an example of the pressing part for pressing the valve
body 51 to the seating surface 527 and the spring 54 together with
the movable member 52, and having the through-hole 553 formed on a
further opposite side to the flow passage 32B than the valve body
51 and provided as an example of the communication hole for
communicating an inside and an outside. In other words, the
steering device 1 includes the valve unit 50 where the second valve
42 and the manual valve 43 are integrally provided. For this
reason, as compared to a configuration where the second valve 42
and the manual valve 43 are provided as separate bodies, the
steering device 1 has a simpler configuration and is more
lightweight.
Second Embodiment
[0085] FIG. 7 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
manual valve 243 in accordance with a second embodiment.
[0086] A steering device 200 of the second embodiment is different
from the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, in a manual
valve 243 corresponding to the manual valve 43. The manual valve
243 is different from the manual valve 43, in a movable member 252
corresponding to the movable member 52. Hereinbelow, differences
from the steering device 1 are described. The parts having the same
functions between the steering device 1 and the steering device 200
are denoted with the same reference signs, and the detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0087] The movable member 252 is different from the movable member
52 of the first embodiment, in a first part 2521 corresponding to
the first part 521. The first part 2521 is not formed with the
through-hole 525 that is formed in the first part 521. An outer
diameter of the first part 2521 is smaller than the outer diameter
of the first part 521. For this reason, in the manual valve 243, a
flow area of a ring-shaped flow passage R2 between an outer
peripheral surface of the first part 2521 and the inner peripheral
surface of the first hole 351 of the through-hole 35 of the housing
30 is greater than the flow area of the ring-shaped flow passage R1
of the first embodiment.
[0088] For this reason, when the male screw 554 (refer to FIG. 4)
is unfastened by the user and the seal member 58 does not seal the
gap between the movable member 252 and the housing 30, the
resistance when the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and the
flow passage 32B through the ring-shaped flow passage R2 is
reduced, as compared to the resistance when the oil flows through
the ring-shaped flow passage R1. As a result, even when the first
part 2521 is not formed with a through-hole corresponding to the
through-hole 525, the operation load when manually operating the
arm 9 is reduced.
[0089] Here, a gap h2 (cm) (=(the outer diameter d (cm) of the
first part 2521-the diameter (D) (cm) of the first hole 351)/2)
between the outer peripheral surface of the first part 2521 and the
inner peripheral surface of the first hole 351 of the through-hole
35 of the housing 30 is determined so that the manual steering load
F of the arm 9 is equal to or lower than the upper limit load Fm.
More specifically, the gap h2 is calculated using a following
equation (4).
Q = .pi. .function. ( D - 2 .times. h2 ) .times. h2 3 12 .times.
.times. .mu. .times. ( P 1 - P 2 ) L ( 4 ) ##EQU00002##
[0090] Q and P.sub.1 are values determined by the above equations
(2) and (3). .mu. is a viscosity (Pasec) of the oil, and L is a
wrap length (cm) of the first part 2521 and the first hole 351.
[0091] In a case of Fm=100 (N), D=0.325 (cm), P.sub.2=0 (MPa) and
L=0.1 (cm), the gap h2=0.062 (cm) is calculated, and d0=0.201 (cm)
is calculated using an equation of d0 (cm)=D-2.times.h2. The outer
diameter d of the first part 2521 is set smaller than d0, so that
the manual steering load F can be made equal to or lower than the
upper limit load Fm.
[0092] As described above, in the steering device 200, the movable
member 252 has the first part 2521 as an example of the cylindrical
part that is fitted in the first hole 351 formed in the housing 30
and communicating with the flow passage 32B. The ring-shaped flow
passage R2 between the outer peripheral surface of the first part
2521 and the inner peripheral surface of the first hole 351
functions as the resistance reducing part that reduces the flow
resistance so that the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and
the flow passage 32B even with the pressure generated in the first
chamber Y1 or the second chamber Y2 due to the operation of the arm
9 with the load equal to or lower than the upper limit load, when
the sealing is not made by the seal member 58.
[0093] Since the inner diameter of the first part 2521 is the same
as the inner diameter of the first part 521, the resistance when
the oil passes through the inside of the first part 2521 can be
made to be the same as the resistance when the oil passes through
the inside of the first part 521. For this reason, also in the
second embodiment, the second valve 42 is opened when the pressure
in the flow passage 32B becomes equal to or higher than the preset
pressure, so that the oil in the flow passage 32B can be relived to
the flow passage 31B. In the meantime, the inner diameter of the
first part 2521 may be set small within a range in which the second
valve 42 can be opened when the pressure in the flow passage 32B
becomes equal to or higher than the preset pressure.
[0094] Note that, the first part 2521 may also be formed with a
through-hole corresponding to the through-hole 525. Thereby, as
compared to the configuration where the movable member 252 is used,
the resistance when the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and
the flow passage 32B is reduced. As a result, the operation load
when manually operating the arm 9 is reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0095] FIG. 8 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
manual valve 343 in accordance with a third embodiment.
[0096] A steering device 300 of the third embodiment is different
from the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, in a manual
valve 343 corresponding to the manual valve 43. The manual valve
343 is different from the manual valve 43, in a movable member 350
corresponding to the movable member 52 and a housing 330
corresponding to the housing 30. Hereinbelow, differences from the
steering device 1 are described. The parts having the same
functions between the steering device 1 and the steering device 300
are denoted with the same reference signs, and the detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0097] The movable member 350 is different from the movable member
52, in a first part 3521 corresponding to the first part 521. The
first part 3521 is not formed with the through-hole 525 that is
formed in the first part 521.
[0098] The housing 330 is different from the housing 30, in a
through-hole 335 corresponding to the through-hole 35. The
through-hole 335 has a columnar first hole 3351 corresponding to
the first hole 351, and the second hole 352. A diameter of the
first hole 3351 is larger than the diameter of the first hole
351.
[0099] For this reason, in the manual valve 343, a flow area of a
ring-shaped flow passage R3 between an outer peripheral surface of
the first part 3521 and an inner peripheral surface of the first
hole 3351 of the through-hole 335 of the housing 330 is greater
than the flow area of the ring-shaped flow passage R1 of the first
embodiment.
[0100] For this reason, when the male screw 554 (refer to FIG. 4)
is unfastened by the user and the seal member 58 does not seal the
gap between the movable member 350 and the housing 330, the
resistance when the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and the
flow passage 32B through the ring-shaped flow passage R3 is
reduced, as compared to the resistance when the oil flows through
the ring-shaped flow passage R1. As a result, even when the first
part 3521 is not formed with a through-hole corresponding to the
through-hole 525, the operation load when manually operating the
arm 9 is reduced.
[0101] Here, a gap h3 (cm) (=(the outer diameter d (cm) of the
first part 3521-the diameter (D) (cm) of the first hole 3351)/2)
between the outer peripheral surface of the first part 3521 and the
inner peripheral surface of the first hole 3351 of the through-hole
335 of the housing 330 is determined so that the manual steering
load F of the arm 9 is equal to or lower than the upper limit load
Fm. More specifically, the gap h3 is calculated using a following
equation (5).
Q = .pi. .times. .times. dh .times. .times. 3 3 12 .times. .times.
.mu. .times. ( P 1 - P 2 ) L ( 5 ) ##EQU00003##
[0102] Q and P.sub.1 are values determined by the above equations
(2) and (3). .mu. is a viscosity (Pasec) of the oil, and L is a
wrap length (cm) of the first part 3521 and the first hole
3351.
[0103] In a case of Fm=100 (N), D=0.325 (cm), P.sub.2=0 (MPa) and
L=0.1 (cm), the gap h3=0.053 (cm) is calculated, and D0=0.431 (cm)
is calculated using an equation of D0 (cm)=d+2.times.h2. The outer
diameter D of the first hole 3351 is set larger than D0, so that
the manual steering load F can be made equal to or lower than the
upper limit load Fm.
[0104] As described above, in the steering device 300, the movable
member 350 has the first part 3521 as an example of the cylindrical
part that is fitted in the first hole 3351 formed in the housing
330 and communicating with the flow passage 32B. The ring-shaped
flow passage R3 between the outer peripheral surface of the first
part 3521 and the inner peripheral surface of the first hole 3351
functions as the resistance reducing part that reduces the flow
resistance so that the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and
the flow passage 32B even with the pressure generated in the first
chamber Y1 or the second chamber Y2 due to the operation of the arm
9 with the load equal to or lower than the upper limit load, when
the sealing is not made by the seal member 58.
[0105] In addition, since the movable member 62 and the movable
member 350 of the first valve 41 can be made to be the same, it is
possible to reduce the number of components of the steering device
300.
[0106] Note that, the first part 3521 may also be formed with a
through-hole corresponding to the through-hole 525. Thereby, as
compared to the configuration where the movable member 350 is used,
the resistance when the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and
the flow passage 32B is reduced.
[0107] In addition, the movable member 252 of the second embodiment
may also be used instead of the movable member 350. Thereby, as
compared to the configuration where the movable member 350 is used,
the resistance when the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and
the flow passage 32B is reduced. As a result, the operation load
when manually operating the arm 9 is reduced.
Fourth Embodiment
[0108] FIG. 9 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
manual valve 443 in accordance with a fourth embodiment.
[0109] A steering device 400 of the fourth embodiment is different
from the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, in a manual
valve 443 corresponding to the manual valve 43. The manual valve
443 is different from the manual valve 43 of the first embodiment,
in a movable member 452 corresponding to the movable member 52, a
seal member 458 corresponding to seal member 58 and a housing 430
corresponding to the housing 30. Hereinbelow, differences from the
steering device 1 are described. The parts having the same
functions between the steering device 1 and the steering device 400
are denoted with the same reference signs, and the detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0110] The movable member 452 is different from the movable member
52, in a second part 4522 corresponding to the second part 522. An
outer diameter of the second part 4522 is smaller than the outer
diameter of the second part 522. That is, the outer diameter of the
second part 4522 is smaller than the outer diameter of the third
part 523, and the outer diameters are larger in order of the first
part 521, the second part 4522 and the third part 523 in the flow
direction of the oil from the flow passage 32B toward the flow
passage 31B.
[0111] An outer diameter of the seal member 458 is smaller than the
outer diameter of the seal member 58 and is substantially the same
as the outer diameter of the second part 4522.
[0112] The housing 430 is different from the housing 30, in a
through-hole 435 corresponding to the through-hole 35. The
through-hole 435 has the first hole 351, and a second hole 4352
corresponding to the second hole 352. The through-hole 435 is also
formed with a columnar first intermediate hole 4353 having a
diameter larger than the diameter of the first hole 351 and a
truncated conical second intermediate hole 4354 formed behind the
first intermediate hole 4353 and having an outer diameter that
becomes larger in the flow direction of the oil from the flow
passage 32B toward the flow passage 31B, between the first hole 351
and the second hole 4352. That is, the diameter of the through-hole
435 becomes larger in order of the first hole 351, the first
intermediate hole 4353, the second intermediate hole 4354 and the
second hole 4352 in the flow direction of the oil from the flow
passage 32B toward the flow passage 31B.
[0113] For this reason, when the male screw 554 (refer to FIG. 4)
is unfastened by the user and the seal member 458 does not seal a
gap between the movable member 452 and the housing 430, the oil
flows in a direction inclined relative to the center line C1 while
the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and the flow passage
32B, particularly, while the oil flows through the second
intermediate hole 4354. In addition, a gap between an outer
peripheral surface of the second part 4522 of the movable member
452 and an inner peripheral surface of the second hole 4352 is
greater than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the
second part 522 of the movable member 52 of the first embodiment
and the inner peripheral surface of the second hole 352. For this
reason, the resistance when the oil flows between the flow passage
31B and the flow passage 32B is reduced, as compared to the
resistance in the first embodiment. As a result, the operation load
when manually operating the arm 9 is reduced.
[0114] As described above, in the steering device 400, the movable
member 452 has the second part 4522 as an example of the first
protrusion, which protrudes to have an outer diameter larger than
the outer diameter of the first part 521 and is in contact with the
seal member 458, on a further downstream side than the first part
521 in the flow direction of the oil from the flow passage 32B
toward the flow passage 31B. The movable member 452 also has the
third part 523 as an example of the second protrusion, which
protrudes to have an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter
of the second part 4522, on a further downstream side than the
second part 4522 in the flow direction of the oil from the flow
passage 32B toward the flow passage 31B. For this reason, according
to the steering device 400, since the oil is likely to flow in the
direction inclined relative to the center line C1, the flow
resistance is reduced, as compared to a configuration where the oil
flows in a direction orthogonal to the center line C1 and then
flows in a direction parallel to the center line C1, so that the
operation load when manually operating the arm 9 is reduced.
[0115] Further, the steering device 400 is provided with the second
intermediate hole 4354 as an example of the truncated conical
connection path formed concentrically with the flow passage 32B on
a further downstream side than the flow passage 32B in the flow
direction of the oil from the flow passage 32B toward the flow
passage 31B and having an outer diameter that becomes larger in the
flow direction. For this reason, according to the steering device
400, since the oil is likely to flow in the direction inclined
relative to the center line C1, the flow resistance is reduced, as
compared to a configuration where the oil flows in a direction
orthogonal to the center line C1 and then flows in a direction
parallel to the center line C1, so that the operation load when
manually operating the arm 9 is reduced.
Fifth Embodiment
[0116] FIG. 10A depicts an example of a schematic configuration of
a second valve 542 in accordance with a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10B
depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a manual valve
543 in accordance with the fourth embodiment.
[0117] A steering device 500 of the fifth embodiment is different
from the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, in a second
valve 542 and a manual valve 543 corresponding to the second valve
42 and the manual valve 43. The second valve 542 and the manual
valve 543 are different from the second valve 42 and the manual
valve 43 of the first embodiment, in that the second valve 542 and
the manual valve 543 are separate bodies. Hereinbelow, differences
from the steering device 1 are described. The parts having the same
functions between the steering device 1 and the steering device 500
are denoted with the same reference signs, and the detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0118] Similarly to the first valve 41 described with reference to
FIG. 6, the second valve 542 has the valve body 61, the movable
member 62, the holding member 63, the spring 64, the cap 65, and
the seal member 68. The second valve 542 is inserted in a
through-hole 37 formed in the housing 30. The through-hole 37 is
formed in parallel to the through-hole 35, and has a columnar first
hole 371 formed on a front side and a columnar second hole 372
formed on a rear side and having a diameter larger than a diameter
of the first hole 371. The first hole 371 communicates with the
flow passage 32B, and the second hole 372 communicates with the
flow passage 31B.
[0119] The manual valve 543 has a cap 570 for plugging the
through-hole 35 formed in the housing 30, the handle 57, and the
annular seal member 58 for sealing a gap between the cap 570 and
the housing 30.
[0120] The cap 570 has a first part 571 corresponding to the first
part 521 of the movable member 52, and a second part 572
corresponding to the second part 522 of the movable member 52. The
cap 570 also has a first pillar-shaped part 573 corresponding to
the first pillar-shaped part 561 of the cap 55, and a second
pillar-shaped part 574 corresponding to the second pillar-shaped
part 562 of the cap 55. The cap 570 also has a columnar third
pillar-shaped part 575 having substantially the same diameter as an
outer diameter of the second part 572 and a columnar fourth
pillar-shaped part 576 having a diameter larger than the diameter
of the third pillar-shaped part 575 between the second part 572 and
the first pillar-shaped part 573.
[0121] The first part 571 is formed with a through-hole 577
corresponding to the through-hole 525 of the movable member 52. The
fourth pillar-shaped part 576 is formed with a male screw 578 that
is fastened to the female screw 355 formed in the through-hole 35.
An end portion on a rear side of the second pillar-shaped part 574
is formed with a female screw 579, and the bolt 59 is fastened to
the female screw 579, so that the handle 57 is attached.
[0122] Also in the manual valve 543 configured as described above,
when the male screw 578 is unfastened by the user and thus the seal
member 58 does not seal the gap between the cap 570 and the housing
30, the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and the flow passage
32B through the through-hole 577 formed in the first part 571 of
the cap 570. As a result, similarly to the manual valve 43 of the
first embodiment, the operation load when manually operating the
arm 9 is reduced.
[0123] Note that, the outer diameter of the first part 571 may be
set small, like the outer diameter of the first part 2521 of the
second embodiment. In this case, the through-hole 577 may not be
provided.
[0124] Alternatively, the diameter of the first hole 351 of the
through-hole 35 may be set large, like the diameter of the first
hole 3351 of the third embodiment. In this case, the through-hole
577 may not be provided.
[0125] Alternatively, like the second part 4522 of the fourth
embodiment, a cylindrical part having an outer diameter larger than
the outer diameter of the first part 571 and smaller than the outer
diameter of the second part 572 may be provided between the first
part 571 and the second part 572 of the cap 570. In addition, the
through-hole 35 of the housing 30 may be formed to have a similar
shape to the through-hole 435 of the housing 430 of the fourth
embodiment.
Sixth Embodiment
[0126] FIG. 11 depicts an example of a schematic configuration of a
valve unit 650 in accordance with a sixth embodiment.
[0127] A steering device 600 of the sixth embodiment is different
from the steering device 1 of the first embodiment, in a valve unit
650 corresponding to the valve unit 50. The valve unit 650 is
different from the valve unit 50, in that a first valve 641, a
second valve 642, and a manual valve 643 of the sixth embodiment
are integrally provided. The parts having the same functions
between the steering device 1 and the steering device 600 are
denoted with the same reference signs, and the detailed
descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0128] The valve unit 650 has the valve body 51, the movable member
52, the holding member 53, the handle 57, the seal member 58, the
valve body 61, and the holding member 63. The valve unit 650 also
has a coil-shaped spring 654 for applying a spring force to the
valve body 51 via the holding member 53 and applying the spring
force to the valve body 61 via the holding member 63, and a cap 655
for plugging a through-hole 38 formed in the housing 30.
[0129] The through-hole 38 has a columnar first hole 381 formed on
a front side, and a columnar second hole 382 formed behind the
first hole 381 and having a diameter larger than a diameter of the
first hole 381. The through-hole 38 also has a columnar third hole
383 formed behind the second hole 382 and having a diameter larger
than the diameter of the second hole 382, and a columnar fourth
hole 384 formed behind the third hole 383 and having a diameter
larger than the diameter of the third hole 383. The first hole 381
communicates with the flow passage 32B. The second hole 382
communicates with the flow passage 31B. The third hole 383
communicates with the flow passage 32B. The fourth hole 384
communicates with the flow passage 31B.
[0130] The cap 655 has a cylindrical first tubular part 661
provided on a front side, a cylindrical second tubular part 662
provided behind the first tubular part 661, and a cylindrical third
tubular part 663 provided behind the second tubular part 662. The
cap 655 also has a columnar first pillar-shaped part 664 provided
behind the third tubular part 663 and a second pillar-shaped part
665 provided behind the first pillar-shaped part 664.
[0131] The first tubular part 661 is similar to the tubular part
551 of the cap 55 and is formed with the through-hole 553, and the
movable member 52 is press-fitted therein.
[0132] An outer diameter of the second tubular part 662 is larger
than an outer diameter of the first tubular part 661. The second
tubular part 662 is formed with a groove 666 recessed from an outer
peripheral surface over an entire circumference. In the groove 666,
an O-ring 667 for sealing a space between an outer peripheral
surface of the second tubular part 662 and an inner peripheral
surface of the second hole 382 of the through-hole 38 is
fitted.
[0133] An outer diameter of the third tubular part 663 is larger
than the outer diameter of the second tubular part 662. An outer
peripheral surface of the third tubular part 663 is formed with a
male screw 668 that is fastened to a female screw 385 formed in the
through-hole 38. In the third tubular part 663, a seating surface
669 on which the valve body 61 is seated is formed. In the third
tubular part 663, a through-hole 670 that communicates an inside
and the fourth hole 384 of the through-hole 38 located at an
outside is formed in a direction of intersecting with the center
line C1.
[0134] The first pillar-shaped part 664 is formed with a groove 671
recessed from an outer peripheral surface over an entire
circumference. In the groove 671, an O-ring 672 for sealing a space
between an outer peripheral surface of the first pillar-shaped part
664 and an inner peripheral surface of the fourth hole 384 of the
through-hole 38 is fitted.
[0135] The second pillar-shaped part 665 is similar to the second
pillar-shaped part 562 of the cap 55, and is formed with a female
screw 565 to which the bolt 59 for attaching the handle 57 is
fastened.
[0136] In the valve unit 650 configured as described above, the
valve body 61, the holding member 63, the spring 654, the cap 655
and the housing 30 constitute the first valve 641. The valve body
51, the movable member 52, the holding member 53, the spring 654,
the cap 655, the seal member 58 and the housing 30 constitute the
second valve 642. The movable member 52, the cap 655, the handle
57, the seal member 58 and the housing 30 constitute the manual
valve 643.
[0137] Also in the manual valve 643 configured as described above,
when the male screw 668 is unfastened by the user and thus the seal
member 58 does not seal the gap between the cap 655 and the housing
30, the oil flows between the flow passage 31B and the flow passage
32B through the through-hole 525 formed in the first part 521 of
the movable member 52. As a result, similarly to the manual valve
43 of the first embodiment, the operation load when manually
operating the arm 9 is reduced.
[0138] Note that, the outer diameter of the first part 521 of the
movable member 52 may be set small, like the outer diameter of the
first part 2521 of the second embodiment. In this case, the
through-hole 525 may not be provided.
[0139] Alternatively, the diameter of the first hole 381 of the
through-hole 38 may be set large, like the diameter of the first
hole 3351 of the third embodiment. In this case, the through-hole
525 may not be provided.
[0140] Alternatively, like the second part 4522 of the fourth
embodiment, a cylindrical part having an outer diameter larger than
the outer diameter of the first part 571 and smaller than the outer
diameter of the second part 572 may be provided between the first
part 521 and the second part 522 of the movable member 52. In
addition, the through-hole 38 of the housing 30 may be formed to
have a similar shape to the through-hole 435 of the housing 430 of
the fourth embodiment.
[0141] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce
an operation load when manually changing the traveling direction of
the ship body.
* * * * *