Field of the invention

The object of the invention is a steering system for a boat with an installation mechanism that adapts to any length of steering axle. The invention is applicable in the steering systems industry, specifically in the nautical steering systems industry.

Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

In the boats there are motorized steering systems that allow for automatic navigation, these steering systems require an intervention in the boat that requires previous work on the instrument panel of the boat making a series of perforations to fix the steering system that do not facilitate the installation of the same and that suppose an important handicap when facing the installation of the aforementioned motorized steering system.

In addition, for the installation of the motorized steering wheels known in the state of the art it is necessary the participation of expert personnel who carry out the necessary operations for the aforementioned installation.

In the state of the art is known a similar element commercially known as Raymarine SPX-5 Sport Drive that is based on an electric motor with reducer which is connected between the original axis and the steering wheel by an axis extender, for its installation it is necessary to drill the instrument panel of the boat and is not adjustable in the axial direction.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is a steering system for a boat configured to be installed on a steering axis of the boat, comprising a threading part for threading on the steering axis of the boat; a longitudinal adjustment part comprising an inner housing configured to accommodate the threading part, at least one longitudinal hole, and an element to choose between a longitudinal groove and a longitudinal flange; a liner for the longitudinal adjustment part comprising a housing for the longitudinal adjustment part, an element to choose between a longitudinal flange complementary to the longitudinal groove of the longitudinal adjustment part and a second longitudinal groove complementary to the longitudinal flange of the longitudinal adjustment part or with a pin between the second longitudinal groove and the longitudinal groove, and at least one through hole configured to correspond to at least one longitudinal hole of the longitudinal adjustment part; at least one screw for its threading over at least one longitudinal hole of the longitudinal adjustment part such that depending on whether it is more or less inserted into the longitudinal orifice of the longitudinal adjustment part, the relative position of the liner and of the longitudinal adjustment part itself is different; fixing means for the boat; and a steering wheel fixed to the liner.

The steering system for a boat object of the invention may comprise a lid for the longitudinal adjustment part located at one end of the longitudinal adjustment part.

The steering system for a boat object of the invention may comprise a battery configured to drive the motor.

The steering system for a boat object of the invention may comprise a communications module, and a control unit, configured to receive a control command through the communications module and activate the motor based on the control command received, wherein the battery is configured to also power the communications module and the control unit.

The steering system for a boat may comprise a motor with a rotor and stator such that the stator is fixed to a motor housing and the motor housing is fixed to the boat, and the rotor is fixed to the steering wheel which, in turn, is fixed to the liner.

The motor housing of the steering system for a boat object of the invention may comprise a boat-side part and a steering wheel-side part.

In the steering system for a boat object of the invention the stator is fixed to the boat-side part and the fixation of the two parts houses inside the rotor and is the central part of the rotor seen such that the rotor is fixed to the steering wheel.

The steering system for a boat object of the invention may comprise a geolocation module to repeatedly obtain the positioning of the system, and wherein the control unit is configured to follow a route based on the control command and the positioning obtained by the geolocation module.

The steering system for a boat object of the invention may comprise an electronics housing configured to house the wireless communications module and control unit. If the address system has a geolocation module, it also hosts this geolocation module.

In the steering system for a boat object of the invention, an embodiment of the fixing means for the boat, said fixing means for the boat may comprise a first strip of fabric and a second strip of fabric, such that the first strip of fabric and the second strip of fabric are hooked upon contact.

In another embodiment of the fixing means for the boat of the steering system for a boat object of the invention, said fixing means for the boat may comprise a fixing plate.

In yet another embodiment of the fixing means for the boat of the steering system for a boat object of the invention, said fixing means for the boat may comprise an adhesive.

In another embodiment of the fixing means for the boat of the steering system for a boat object of the invention, said fixing means for the boat may comprise a suction cup.

Brief description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, as an integral part of said description, a set of drawings is attached where illustrative and not limiting, has represented the following:

Figure 1 shows an explosion view of the steering system for a boat object of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an explosion view of the part of the steering system for a boat object of the invention showing the longitudinal adjustment part, the liner, the nut and the steering axis of the boat.

Figure 3 shows an explosion view of the part of the steering system for a boat object of the invention showing the longitudinal adjustment part, the liner, the nut and the steering axis of the boat from a different point of view than in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows an explosion view of a different embodiment than Figures 2 and 3 of the longitudinal adjustment part, liner, nut and steering axis of the boat.

Figure 5 shows the elements of Figure 4 shown from a different point of view than Figure

4.

Figure 6 shows an explosion view of a different embodiment than Figures 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the longitudinal adjustment part, liner, nut and steering axis of the boat.

Figure 7 shows the elements in Figure 6 shown from a different point of view than Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a sectioned view of the steering system for a boat object of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a view of a fixing means using interlocking strips of fabric.

Figure 10 shows a plan view of an external hydraulics of the prior art showing the three screws of the aforementioned external hydraulics for fixing the system object of the invention in an embodiment.

The list of numerical references used in the figures is set out below:

1 . steering axis of the boat,

2. threading part,

3. longitudinal adjustment part,

4. inner housing,

5. longitudinal groove,

6. longitudinal holes,

7. lid for the longitudinal adjustment part,

8. liner,

9. longitudinal flange of liner,

10. through holes,

11 . screws, 12. perimeter flange,

13. plurality of through holes of the perimeter flange,

14. fixing means for the boat,

15. battery,

16. rotor,

17. stator,

18. pin between the longitudinal groove and second longitudinal groove,

19. motor housing,

19a. boat-side part of motor housing,

19b steering wheel-side part of motor housing,

20. second longitudinal groove,

21. electronics housing,

21a. boat-side part of electronics housing,

21 b. steering wheel-side part of electronics housing,

22. GPS positioner,

23. communication means,

24. switch,

25. electronic board,

26. steering wheel,

27. rotor housings,

28. screw,

29. longitudinal flange of longitudinal adjustment part, and

30. housing for the longitudinal adjustment part of the liner.

Detailed description of the invention

It is the object of the invention a steering system for a boat configured to be installed on a steering axis (1) of the boat that allows its fixation to the two types of steering axes (1) known in the state of the art and also allows to adapt to different lengths of steering axis that are those that can be found when a traditional steering wheel is removed from a boat.

It should be noted that the two types of steering axes (1) known in the prior art are an axis ending in a male thread and an axis ending in a female thread.

The steering system for a boat comprises: one threading part (2) for threading on the steering axis (1) of the boat, a longitudinal adjustment part (3) comprising: an inner housing (4) configured to house the threading part (2) for threading on the steering axis (1), in one embodiment a longitudinal groove (5) and in another embodiment a longitudinal flange (29), and two longitudinal holes (6), a lid (7) for the longitudinal adjustment part (3) located at one end of the longitudinal adjustment part (3), which prevents the threading part (2) from leaving the inner housing (4) of the longitudinal adjustment part (3), and a liner (8) for the longitudinal adjustment part (3) comprising: a housing (30) for the longitudinal adjustment part (3), in one embodiment a longitudinal flange (9) which is complementary to the longitudinal groove (5) of the longitudinal adjustment part (3), such that the longitudinal flange (9) and the longitudinal groove (5) prevent a relative rotation between the longitudinal adjustment part (3) and the liner (8); and in a second embodiment a second longitudinal groove (20) complementary to the longitudinal groove (5) of the longitudinal adjustment part (3) such that a pin (18) inserted between the second longitudinal groove (20) and the longitudinal groove (5), or the longitudinal flange (29) prevents a relative rotation between the longitudinal adjustment part (3) and the liner (8);

Two through holes (10) configured to correspond to the longitudinal holes (6) of the longitudinal adjustment part (3) and as two screws (11) are threaded to a lesser extent on the longitudinal holes (6) of the longitudinal adjustment part (3) the relative position of the liner (8) and of the longitudinal adjustment part itself is modified (3) adapting their relative position according to different lengths of steering axis (1), and a perimeter flange (12) comprising a plurality of through holes (13).

The threading part (2) of the boat steering system object of the invention, can be a nut or a screw, depending on whether the steering axis (1) of the boat has a male or a female end.

The preferred embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment part (3) is a keyed cylinder, but the outer shape of the longitudinal adjustment part (3) may be any that satisfies the requirement that the outer shape of the said longitudinal adjustment part (3) and the inner shape of the liner (8) housing (30) are complementary so that there is no relative rotation between the longitudinal adjustment part (3) and the liner (8).

The lid (7) of the longitudinal adjustment part (3) performs the function of extraction of the steering system object of the invention of the axis, since when unscrewing the threading part (2) of the axis of the boat, being located inside the housing (4), it makes contact with the lid (7) forcing the extraction of the system object of the invention with respect to the axis, without the need to use a bearing extractor of those known in the state of the art and that can damage the steering system itself.

The steering system object of the invention comprises a motor with a rotor (16) and a stator (17) such that the stator (17) is fixed to a housing (19) which, in turn, is fixed to the boat (14) and the rotor (16) is fixed to the perimeter flange (12) of the (8), with this configuration the steering system object of the invention has the ability to rotate the steering axis (1) of the boat in a motorized way.

The motor of the steering system object of the invention is housed inside the motor housing (19) which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a boat-side part (19a) and a steering wheel-side part (19b), such that the boat-side part (19a) is fixed to the stator (17) of the motor, said boat-side part (19a) being fixed to the boat, and the fixing of the two parts (19a, 19b) leaves the motor inside leaving the central part of the rotor (16) visible where, as explained later in this description, a steering wheel is fixed (26). The limitation generated by the fixing of the boat-side part (19a) prevents the rotation of that boat-side part (19a).

The steering system comprises a battery (15) configured to drive the motor, in addition to the electronics set out below, to rotate the steering axis (1) of the boat.

The steering system for a boat object of the invention comprises in addition to the battery (15), a wireless communications module (23), and a control unit (25), configured to receive a control command through the communications module (23) and activate the motor based on the control order received. In addition, it can comprise a geolocation module (22) to repeatedly obtain the positioning of the system, such that the control unit (25) is configured to follow a route based on the control order and the positioning obtained by the geolocation module (22). The battery (15), the wireless communications module (23), the control unit (25) and the geolocation module (22), if the system has one, are located inside an electronics housing (21) that is located between the motor housing (19) and the fixing means for the boat (14), so that, the motor housing (19) is fixed to the electronics housing (21) which in turn is fixed to the boat by means of the fixing means for the boat (14).

The electronics housing (21) is also formed by a boat-side part (21a) and a steering wheelside part (21b), such that the union of the two parts (21a, 21 b) makes the aforementioned elements housed inside the electronics housing (21). The limitation generated by the fixation of the boat-side part (21a) prevents the rotation of that boat-side part (21a).

The steering system for nautical boat object of the invention comprises fixing means for the boat (14). The fixing means the boat (14), in one embodiment of the invention, comprise a first strip of fabric fixed to the electronics housing (21) and a second strip of fabric fixed to the boat by adhesive or any other method, such that the first strip of fabric and the second strip of fabric are hooked upon contact. In another embodiment, the fixing means for the boat (14) comprise a fixing plate to the boat that includes a central hole configured to let the steering axis (1) of the boat pass, such that said fixing plate is anchored to the external hydraulics of the boat by means of either three screws that are common in the aforementioned external hydraulics of the boat (see figure 10) or by adhesive.

There are other embodiments of the fixing means for the boat so that either by friction or by mechanical fixation, for example, a male and female part, the relative rotation between the electronics housing (21) and the boat is prevented.

In another embodiment the fixing means for the boat (14) comprise a suction cup, such that this suction cup is anchored to the panel of the boat by suction at its base, and fixed to the electronics housing (21) by its upper part by means of an arm adjustable in length.

The control command received by the control unit (25) through the wireless communications module (23) can be sent through an application of a smart mobile device or a computer, so that through the geolocation module (22) the positioning of the system is obtained repeatedly to be able to follow a marked route considering also the information of the control order.

Finally, the steering system for a boat object of the invention comprises the steering wheel (26) fixed to the rotor (16) by screws (30) introduced in a plurality of housings (29) located in the rotor (16) of the motor.