Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Gen Yoshii

Kazuhiko Ohtsuki

Kazuhiko Yano

Toshiaki Okanishi

Takao Awaya

In an inertia lock- and key-type synchronizing clutch assembly, engagement between conical clutch surfaces (29, 36) of a clutch gear (28) and synchronizer ring (35) is enhanced spontaneously under a servo action by a cam means disposed between the synchronizer ring (35) and a hub member (31). Two problems arising from the servo action are solved by additional structures provided to a key member (39) and to the synchronizer ring. That is, an unexpected spontaneous engagement of the clutch mechanism from a neutral condition thereof is prevented with certainty by a cooperation of the key member and a pair of stopper projection (48, 49) on the synchronizer ring. The key member includes at an inner surface thereof a recess (50) for permitting a rotational displacement of the sychronizer ring when a clutch-engaging operation is performed. An end face of such recess includes a ramp surface (51; 51A; 51B) which cooperates with one of the projections of the synchronizer ring so as to assure a clutch-disengaging operation even when a re-engagement of the clutch surfaces due to the servo action is caused in a clutch-disengaging process.

Synchronizing clutch assembly

A reversing gear assembly (13) for use in yachts having an angle drive system comprises a horizontal input shaft (15), to be connected to a horizontally mounted engine (11), and an inclined output shaft (16) to be connected to the propeller shaft (12). Gear casing (14) includes an intermediate shaft (17) which extends parallel with the output shaft (16). The forward direction drive path includes meshing cylindrical gear (18) and conical gear (20) on the input and output shafts (15, 16). The reverse direction drive path has on the input and output shafts (15, 16) two cylindrical gears (19, 21) with which a skew cylindrical gear (22) on the intermediate shaft (17) meshes at respective axial halves of the skew gear. The center of engagement between the meshing gears (19, 22) on the input and intermediate shafts (15, 17) is located on the sole, common perpendicular line of these shafts. A reversing clutch (23) is disposed on the output shaft (16). The minimum number of shafts and gears for attaining the forward and reverse direction drives and a speed reduction in a reversing gear assembly is three shafts and five gears. Using only one conical gear in such an assembly reduces the troublesome backlash-adjusting work associated with conical gears.

Reversing gear assembly for yachts

A reversing gear assembly (13) for a marine angle drive comprises a horizontal input shaft (15), to be connected to a horizontally mounted engine (11) and an inclined output shaft (16) to be connected to the propeller shaft (12). Gear casing (14) includes an intermediate shaft (17) which extends parallel with the output shaft (16). The input shaft (16) fixedly mounts a cylindrical gear (22) which meshes with a forward drive conical gear (23) on the output shaft (16) and with a reverse drive cylindrical gear (25) on the intermediate shaft (17). Center of engagement between the cylindrical gears (22, 25) is located on the sole common perpendicular line of the input and intermediate shafts (15, 17). Reverse drive gear train further includes two meshing cylindrical gears (26, 24) on the intermediate and output shafts (17, 16). The gears (23, 24) on the output shaft (16) are selectively coupled to this shaft by clutch means (32). The parallel arrangement of the output and intermediate shafts (16, 17) and the use of a single conical gear (23) contributes to reducing the manufacturing cost while permitting drive of propeller shaft in either direction with equal power.

Marine reversing gear assembly

A marine propulsion unit having an engine (13) mounted with the output end directed toward the stern of a boat is disclosed in which a required inclination of propeller shaft (15) is provided outside a reversing clutch mechanism (17) by an intermediate shaft (32) and a pair of meshing bevel gears (38, 39) incorporated in the transmission path. The bevel gears (38, 39) are fixedly mounted on either of output shaft (21) or input shaft (20) of the clutch mechanism (17) and the intermediate shaft (32) among which one of the shafts taking a rearer position is inclined relative to the other shaft downwardly and backwardly. These two shafts are disposed relative to each other so that opposed ends thereof take substantially a same level. The propulsion unit permits a low level mounting of engine and may be manufactured with a low cost while permitting to employ a reversing clutch mechanism in boats having different layouts of propulsion unit.

Growing community of inventors

Mukonoso-Honmachi, Japan

Gen Yoshii