JP2002180861A - Small planing boat - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a small personal watercraft with a so-called cruise control function that allows a rider to sail at a constant speed or a constant engine speed without continuing to operate a throttle. And SOLUTION: In a jet propulsion type personal watercraft in which water pressurized and accelerated by a water jet pump is jetted from a rear jet port and propelled by the reaction thereof, a cruise control operation switch SWc is provided, and the cruise control operation switch is provided. In response to the operation of SWc, the engine control unit Ec controls the throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath so as to travel at a predetermined boat speed or a predetermined engine speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a jet propulsion type personal watercraft (Personal Watercraft; also referred to as a PWC), which jets a water flow backward and sails on the water in reaction to the water flow. The present invention relates to a personal watercraft with functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, so-called jet propulsion type personal watercraft have been frequently used for leisure, sports, rescue, and the like. In this jet propulsion type personal watercraft, the water hull is generally propelled by pressurizing and accelerating water sucked from a water inlet provided on the bottom surface of the boat by a water jet pump and jetting backward.

[0003] Also, many of the above-mentioned planing boats are of the small riding type of one to three persons, and are characterized by high motion performance (turning performance). The mainstream is to operate the throttle with the throttle lever.

[0004] Incidentally, in the case of the personal watercraft, since it is of a water jet propulsion type, it can navigate in shallow waters. Therefore, a personal watercraft base (equipment equipped with a slope for launching) is often provided in a place considerably inland from a so-called general boat navigation area. Or, during a period from the base to a predetermined distance, navigation at a low speed is generally required. In some countries, such low-speed water bodies are regulated by law (for example, about 5 mils in the United States).
e / h = about 8 km / h).

Therefore, the rider must continue to delicately operate the throttle lever at a speed slightly higher than the idling speed while navigating the shallow water at a low speed, which complicates the operation. . In addition, there is a case where such a state continues for a long time, and the rider has to hold the throttle lever almost. This is not limited to the case of traveling at a low speed, but also applies to the case of traveling for a long time at a cruising speed (medium speed) or a high speed, for example, when a personal watercraft is used as a moving means of a water tour. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a jet-propulsion personal watercraft, it is possible to sail at a constant speed or a constant engine speed without a rider continuing to operate a throttle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a personal watercraft having a so-called cruise control function.

As a related technique, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 29595 discloses an apparatus for controlling a smooth transition from a hump state to a sliding state in a hump state in a medium speed range where a transition is made from a non-sliding state to a sliding state. Generally, when the engine speed is increased or decreased in order to maintain a constant ship speed in a hump state, the hull resistance increases and decreases relatively large, especially when the hull resistance decreases significantly due to a temporary gliding state. The engine speed becomes excessive (the engine speed "jumps"). This device is
This prevents the engine speed from jumping.

[0008]

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems,
The problem can be solved by a jet-propulsion personal watercraft having the following configuration. That is, the jet propulsion personal watercraft according to the present invention is a jet propulsion personal watercraft in which water pressurized and accelerated by a water jet pump is jetted from a rear jet port and propelled by the recoil thereof. An operating means is provided, and the cruise control operating means is controlled so as to travel at a predetermined boat speed or a predetermined engine speed according to the operation of the cruise control operating means.

According to the jet-propulsion personal watercraft constructed as described above, the rider simply operates the cruise control operating means, and thereafter, does not need to perform any work with a throttle. It is possible to sail while maintaining the speed or the predetermined engine speed.
Therefore, even when it is necessary to sail at a low speed for a long time, or when it is necessary to sail at a long cruising speed on a water tour or the like, it is possible to easily operate the boat.

In the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, if the cruise control operating means is attached to the steering wheel, the rider can easily operate the cruise control operating means from a normal boat maneuvering posture. Become.

Further, in the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, the predetermined boat speed or the predetermined engine rotation speed
A low speed of about 8 km / h or less may be set. In such a case, the configuration is advantageous when traveling at a low speed for a long time.

Further, in the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, the predetermined boat speed or the predetermined engine speed is set to
When the cruise control operation means is set to be the boat speed or the engine speed when the cruise control operation means is operated, it is possible to easily realize constant navigation at an appropriate boat speed or engine speed desired by the rider. Becomes

In the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, a plurality of the predetermined boat speeds or predetermined engine speeds are set in advance, and the cruise control operating means is provided with the plurality of predetermined boat speeds. If any one or a plurality of predetermined engine speeds can be selected, the same speed (the engine speed) can be easily set in a plurality of situations such as when traveling at a low speed and on a water tour. ) Allows the personal watercraft to navigate.

In the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, if the cruise control operating means is constituted by a switch, the operation becomes easier and a waterproof structure is easily adopted.

Further, in the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, if the switch is arranged near the grip of the steering wheel, it is possible to realize a configuration that is practically easy to operate.

Further, in the jet-propulsion personal watercraft, the cruise control operating means may be used to operate the jet propulsion boat.
If the cruise control OFF operation means for releasing the control for navigating at the predetermined boat speed or the predetermined engine speed (namely, cruise control), which is set to N, is provided separately from the cruise control operation means, It becomes an easier configuration.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A personal watercraft according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control-related configuration of a personal watercraft according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing control contents of components shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. 5, FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the steering wheel of FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a main portion of the steering wheel, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part near the throttle lever, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 in relation to an actual engine.

4 and 5, A is a hull, and this hull A is composed of a hull H and a deck D which covers the hull H. A connection line connecting the hull H and the deck D all around is a gunnel line. G, and in this embodiment, the gunnel line G is located above the waterline L of the personal watercraft.

At a position slightly behind the center of the deck D, as shown in FIG. 5, a substantially rectangular opening 16 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the upper surface of the hull A, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a seat S for riding is arranged above the opening 16.

The engine E is disposed in a space 20 having a "convex" cross section surrounded by the hull H and the deck D below the seat S.

This engine E is a multi-cylinder (three-cylinder in this embodiment) engine E, and is mounted in such a manner that the crankshaft 10b extends along the longitudinal direction of the hull A as shown in FIG. The output end of the crankshaft 10b is integrally rotatably connected via a propeller shaft 15 to the pump shaft side of a water jet pump P to which the impeller 21 is attached. The impeller 21 has a pump casing 21
C, a water supply port 17 provided on the bottom of the personal watercraft
Water is taken in through a water suction passage, pressurized and accelerated by a water jet pump P, and passed through a pump nozzle (spouting part) 21R whose cross-sectional area of water has become smaller as it goes backward, and then to the rear end. Is ejected from the injection port 21K of the nozzle to obtain a propulsive force. In FIG. 4, 21 V is a stationary blade for rectification.

4 and 5, reference numeral 10 denotes a steering handle, which is a steering operation means. By operating the handle 10 right and left, the steering nozzle 18 behind the pump nozzle 21R is swung right and left. Thus, the boat can be steered in a desired direction when the water jet pump P operates.

As shown in FIG. 4, a bowl-shaped reverse deflector 19 is provided above and behind the steering nozzle 18 so as to be able to swing downward about a horizontally arranged swing shaft 19a. The swinging movement of the deflector 19 to the lower position behind the steering nozzle 18 turns the water discharged from the steering nozzle 18 rearward, so that the water can be turned forward.

4 and 5, reference numeral 12 denotes a rear deck. The rear deck 12 is provided with an openable / closable hatch cover 29, and a small-capacity storage box is formed below the hatch cover 29. I have. 4 and 5, reference numeral 23 denotes a front hatch cover. Below the hatch cover 23, a box (not shown) for storing equipment and the like is provided. Also, this front hatch cover 2
Above the third hatch cover 25, another hatch cover 25 is arranged to form a two-layer hatch cover.
An opening (not shown) provided on the rear end surface allows a life jacket or the like to be stored therein.

In the personal watercraft according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a proximity switch is provided near the rotating shaft 10A of the handle 10 on the rotating side and the fixed side. Steering position detection sensor S
p is arranged. In this embodiment, the steering position detection sensor Sp has the permanent magnet 40 disposed at one position of the disk-shaped member on the rotation side and two positions on the fixed side.
A sensor 4 that is turned on when the permanent magnet 40 approaches.
It is formed of a structure in which 1, 41 are arranged.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotating permanent magnet 40 is disposed at a rotational position corresponding to the neutral position of the handle 10, and the fixed permanent magnets 41, 41 , At right angles and left angles, respectively, so as to be symmetrical.

Also, as shown in FIG.
In the vicinity of the base end of one of the grips 10a (the right side in the figure), the throttle lever Lt is attached to the grip 10a.
On the front side of a, a lever holder 34 that supports a swingable shaft around a swing shaft 38 is fixed. At a position on the front side of the handle 10 of the lever holder 34, a mounting hole (not shown) for supporting a coating tube portion (outer wire portion) of the push-pull type wire 35 is formed. One end of a core (inner wire) of the wire 35 supported by the hole is attached to the throttle lever Lt via the attachment hole. The other end of the core of the wire 35 is mechanically connected to a butterfly valve 51 of an engine E described later. When the rider swings the throttle lever Lt, the core of the wire 35 is connected to the cladding tube. The butterfly valve 51 is pushed and pulled to open and close the butterfly valve 51.

As shown in FIG. 8, a cruise control operation switch SWc is provided at a rear portion (on the rider side) of the lever holder 34. In this embodiment, the cruise control operation switch SWc turns on / off the cruise control mode.
And a one-way type resume switch SWr for restoring the temporarily stored cruise control state. These cruise control operation switches SWc
Is, as shown in FIG. 1, by a signal line (electric wire)
It is connected to the engine control unit Ec.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The throttle opening detection sensor Sb is arranged near the butterfly valve (throttle valve) 51 arranged in the fuel supply device Cm. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, an engine speed detection sensor Se is arranged near the crankshaft Cr.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steering position detecting sensor Sp, the throttle opening detecting sensor Sb, and the engine speed detecting sensor Se are used.
Are connected to the engine control unit Ec by signal lines (electric wires), and are configured to transmit signals detected by these sensors to the engine control unit Ec.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 9, the engine control unit Ec is connected to a throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath for opening and closing the butterfly valve 51 by a signal line (electric wire). This throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath
Opens and closes the butterfly valve 51 mechanically. Accordingly, the wire 35 described above is pushed and pulled with this,
The throttle lever Lt is operated by an amount corresponding to the opening / closing degree of the butterfly valve 51.
In the present embodiment, such a throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath is arranged near the butterfly valve 51 of the engine E. However, for example, even if it is arranged in the middle of the wire 35, the throttle lever Lt
It may be arranged in the vicinity. Further, as the throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath, various actuators such as a solenoid and a servomotor can be adopted, but it is desirable to select an actuator easily controlled by the engine control unit Ec.

In the personal watercraft according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rider operates the cruise control operation switch SWc when the throttle is opened to a certain extent as described below. Then, the mode shifts to the cruise control mode corresponding to this operation, and the predetermined rotation speed can be maintained. Hereinafter, the control contents of the control program recorded in the internal memory of the engine control unit Ec, together with the contents of the operation, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the rider operates the cruise control operation switch SWc of the personal watercraft (in this case, for example, presses the main switch SWm to "ON") while the personal watercraft is traveling, this ON operation is performed. Is detected by the engine control unit Ec (step 1 (S1)).

Then, the engine speed detection sensor Se
Detects the engine speed at that time (step 2
(S2)) The engine control unit Ec temporarily stores the detected engine speed in the memory M (step 3 (S3)). In FIG. 1, the memory M
Is configured as an external memory connected to the engine control unit Ec, but it is needless to say that an internal memory as described above can be used instead.

Then, again, the engine speed detection sensor Se detects the engine speed (step 4 (S
4)) The engine control unit Ec compares the detected engine speed with the engine speed stored in the memory M so that the former engine speed matches the latter engine speed. Is output to the throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath to adjust the throttle (step 5 (S5)).

Then, a predetermined cruise control OF
If the F operation is not detected, the engine control unit Ec repeats the processing from step 4 and controls so that the engine speed that fluctuates due to the resistance of water on the hull or the like is always kept constant.

On the other hand, predetermined cruise control OFF
If an operation (described in detail later) is detected, the engine control unit Ec returns to the original state (normal operation state) (step 7 (S7)) and ends the cruise control mode.

The conditions for returning to the original state (that is, the conditions for turning off the cruise control) may be as follows. One or more of these conditions and configurations may be used in an appropriate combination. It is possible to That is, (1) when the rider grips the throttle lever Lt in the opening direction from the current control position. This is because, for example, the current opening of the butterfly valve 51 is detected from the throttle opening detection sensor Sb and stored in the memory M in time series, and the detected opening is output by the engine control unit Ec. This state can be recognized when the opening exceeds the opening (the opening corresponding to the instruction operation amount of the throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath) by a predetermined amount or more. (2) When the rider has operated the steering wheel 10 to the right or left side by a predetermined angle or more. For example, this state is recognized when the permanent magnet 40 approaches one of the sensors 41 on this side, the sensor 41 is turned on, and the steering position detection sensor Sp detects an ON signal. can do. In addition, as a means for detecting such a handle operation, a potentiometer, a rotary encoder, a limit switch, or the like can be used. (3) When the main switch SWm is pressed again by the rider. Alternatively, another switch dedicated to OFF may be provided, and this switch may be operated.

By performing the cruise control as described above, the rider can set the cruising speed to an arbitrary engine speed. However, as described above, in a case where it is known in advance that navigation in a low-speed navigation area or the like is performed relatively frequently, the navigation speed is stored in the memory M in advance as described below, and the main switch SW is operated.
The value in the memory M may be automatically set according to the ON operation of m. The values preset in the memory M include a plurality of values (for example, a low speed corresponding to about 8 km / h,
And a middle speed corresponding to the cruising speed of the water tour). In the present embodiment, it is also possible to use a switch that is a resume switch SWr so that the rider can appropriately select a set value. It is. Such control can also be used as a so-called resume in cruise control. Here, this example will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In other words, when the rider operates the cruise control operation switch SWc (here, for example, operates the resume switch SWr to "ON") while the personal watercraft is sailing, This ON operation is detected by the engine control unit Ec (step 1a (S1a)).

Then, the engine control unit E
c reads the engine speed previously stored in the memory M (step 2a (S2a)). Here, the memory M
The engine speed stored in advance in the vehicle can be about 8 km / h or a speed corresponding to the cruising speed of the water tour, and can be stored at the time of manufacture by the manufacturer, or by the user. It is also possible to configure so that it can be set appropriately.

Then, the engine speed detection sensor Se
Detects the engine speed at that time (step 3
a (S3a)), engine control unit Ec
Compares the detected engine speed with the engine speed stored in the memory M, and outputs the engine speed to the throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath such that the former engine speed matches the latter engine speed. Then, the throttle is adjusted (step 4a (S4a)).

Then, a predetermined cruise control OF
If the F operation is not detected, the engine control unit Ec repeats the processing from step 3a to determine the engine speed that fluctuates due to the resistance of water on the hull,
It is controlled to keep it constant.

On the other hand, predetermined cruise control OFF
When the operation is detected, the engine control unit Ec returns to the original state (normal operation state) (step 6a (S6a)) and ends the cruise control mode.

In the above embodiment, only the cruise control based on the engine speed has been described. However, instead of the engine speed, the ship speed is directly measured, or the ship speed is calculated based on the engine speed. And the same control may be performed based on the boat speed.

Further, instead of directly controlling the butterfly valve 51 to adjust the output (engine speed), for example, an auxiliary fuel supply device is added to the engine E,
The auxiliary fuel supply device may be configured to adjust the fuel supply amount.

In this embodiment, the throttle lever Lt and the butterfly valve 51 are mechanically connected by a push-pull wire 35 or the like. For example, the swing amount of the throttle lever Lt is changed. It is also possible to provide a sensor for detecting the pressure, and electrically connect the engine control unit Ec to the throttle valve opening / closing actuator Ath in response to the detection signal of the sensor. In the case of such an electrically connected configuration, it may be easier to adopt this control.

Further, the same control may be performed by a direct injection type engine instead of the carburetor type engine E as shown in the illustrated embodiment. In a planing boat using such an engine, the engine control unit E was originally used.
c, and a mechanism capable of adjusting ignition timing, fuel injection amount, and the like by the engine control unit Ec is provided in advance, so that control as in the present invention can be easily realized.

When the steering wheel is operated by a predetermined amount or more while the throttle is not more than a predetermined operation amount, the engine speed is temporarily increased to maintain the steering function. Throttle steering mode control ". In this case, for example, by not performing both controls at the same time, it is possible to avoid complicated controls,
Mounting is easy.

[0051]

According to the present invention, even when the cruising speed must be low and long, or when cruising at a long cruising speed on a water tour or the like, the rider can use the throttle and throttle. It is possible to provide an easy-to-operate small planing boat having a so-called cruise control function capable of sailing at a constant speed or a constant engine speed without continuing work.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control-related configuration of a personal watercraft according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of control contents of components shown in the block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the control contents of the components shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an overall side view of the personal watercraft according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an overall plan view of the personal watercraft shown in FIG.

6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the arrangement position and configuration of a steering position detection sensor in the vicinity of the steering wheel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a steering portion, showing an arrangement position of a steering position detection sensor shown in FIG. 5 and a configuration in the vicinity thereof;

8 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part near a throttle lever shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control relationship shown in FIG. 1 in relation to an actual engine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 P: Water jet pump 21K: Injection port E: Engine Sp: Steering position detection sensor Sb: Throttle opening detection sensor Se: Engine speed detection sensor SWc: Cruise control operation switch Ath: Throttle valve Open / close actuator

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F02B 63/06 F02B 63/06 E F02D 41/04 310 F02D 41/04 310A // F02D 29/04 29 / 04 FF term (reference) 3D044 AA01 AA21 AB00 AC03 AC05 AC15 AC31 AD02 AD04 AE01 AE04 AE21 3G093 AA14 AA19 BA23 CB10 DA01 DA06 EA03 EA09 EC01 FA04 FA10 3G301 HA26 JA03 KB02 LA01 NC01 ND02 PA11Z PE01Z

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A jet-propulsion personal watercraft in which water pressurized and accelerated by a water jet pump is jetted from a rear jet port and propelled by the reaction thereof, cruise control operating means is provided, and said cruise control operating means is provided. A personal watercraft, which controls to sail at a predetermined boat speed or a predetermined engine speed in accordance with the operation of (1). 2. The cruise control operating means,
The personal watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the personal watercraft is attached to a handle. 3. The personal watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined boat speed or the predetermined engine speed is set to a low speed of about 8 km / h or less. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined boat speed or the predetermined engine speed is set to be the boat speed or the engine speed at the time of operating the cruise control operating means. 2. The personal watercraft according to 2. 5. A plurality of predetermined ship speeds or predetermined engine speeds are set in advance, and the cruise control operating means is configured to operate any one of the plurality of predetermined ship speeds or a plurality of predetermined engine speeds. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the number is selectable.
The personal watercraft described. 6. The cruise control operating means,
3. A switch comprising a switch.
The personal watercraft according to any one of the items 5 to 10. 7. The personal watercraft according to claim 6, wherein the switch is disposed near a grip of a steering wheel. 8. A cruise control OFF operation means, further comprising: releasing the control for navigating at the predetermined boat speed or the predetermined engine speed in accordance with the operation of the cruise control OFF operation means. Item 3. The personal watercraft according to item 1 or 2.