Engine cover

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of engine maintenance and other related tasks. [Solution] The engine cover 11 covering the outboard motor engine comprises a left wall portion 12 covering the left side of the engine, a right wall portion 13 covering the right side of the engine, a front wall portion 14 covering the front of the engine, a rear wall portion 15 covering the rear of the engine, and an upper wall portion 16 covering the top of the engine. The upper wall portion 16 is detachably connected to the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, and the rear wall portion 15. By separating the upper wall portion 16 from the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, and the rear wall portion 15, an opening is formed on the top of the engine cover 11 that allows a user to touch the engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an engine cover of an outboard motor.

Background Art

[0002] In many outboard motors, an engine as a power source for rotating a propeller and an engine cover for covering the engine are provided on the upper part thereof. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-302095 (Patent Document 1) describes a conventional outboard motor having such a configuration.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 1 of the same publication, the engine cover of the conventional outboard motor is divided vertically, and the upper part of the engine cover is detachably attached to the lower part of the engine cover. A user can separate the upper part of the engine cover from the lower part of the engine cover. For example, when performing maintenance work on the engine or the like, the user can remove the upper part of the engine cover from the outboard motor while maintaining the state where the lower part of the engine cover is attached to the outboard motor.

[0004] Generally, the engine of an outboard motor is arranged vertically so that the axis of the crankshaft extends in the vertical direction. In the conventional outboard motor, the position of the boundary line between the upper and lower parts of the engine cover is generally set below the middle part in the vertical direction of the engine. Therefore, when the user removes the upper part of the engine cover from the outboard motor, in the engine, a wide range of parts from the upper end part to the upper part of the lower part are exposed to the outside.

[0005] Further, the upper part of the engine cover has an upper wall and a peripheral wall and is formed in a generally covered cylindrical box shape with the lower side open. In the state where the upper part of the engine cover is attached to the lower part of the engine cover, the upper part of the engine cover covers the upper surface, front surface, left surface, right surface, and rear surface in the part from the upper end part of the engine to the upper part of the lower part of the engine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-302095 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In conventional outboard motor engine covers, the upper part of the engine cover is configured to cover a wide area of ​​the engine, as described above. Therefore, in conventional outboard motor engine covers, the weight and volume of the upper part of the engine cover are large, and as the outboard motor model becomes larger, the weight and volume of the upper part of the engine cover increase.

[0008] When performing engine maintenance, users remove the upper part of the engine cover from the outboard motor, and after completing the work, they reattach the upper part of the engine cover to the outboard motor. If the weight or volume of the upper part of the engine cover is large, it may become a burden for the user when attaching and detaching the upper part of the engine cover to the outboard motor, potentially worsening the efficiency of engine maintenance work.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, for example, and the object of the present invention is to provide an engine cover that can improve the workability of engine maintenance work and other tasks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides an engine cover for an outboard motor engine, comprising a left wall portion covering the left side of the engine, a right wall portion covering the right side of the engine, a front wall portion covering the front of the engine, a rear wall portion covering the rear of the engine, and an upper wall portion covering the top of the engine, wherein the upper wall portion is detachably connected to the portion of the engine cover that includes the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the workability of tasks such as engine maintenance can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing an outboard motor equipped with an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the appearance of an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an engine cover of an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front, and (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an engine cover of an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the left. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the frame of an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the engine cover frame of an embodiment of the present invention coupled to the engine holder, and (B) is a perspective view showing the connection portion between the underframe and the right side frame in the said frame. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between each wall portion and each cover portion and the frame in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing the frame, left wall section, front lower cover section, and oil pan cover section in separate states in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (A) is a perspective view showing the frame, left wall section, right wall section, front lower cover section, and oil pan cover section in the assembled state in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the front overhang section of the underframe, the floor section of the front frame, and the front lower cover section, respectively, as viewed from the left, cut along the cutting line HH in Figure 8(A). [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the front wall portion is separated from the front frame, left wall portion, front lower cover portion, and upper wall portion, etc. [Figure 10]FIG. 0 is a perspective view showing an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a rear wall portion is separated from an underframe, a left wall portion, a right wall portion, an upper wall portion, an oil pan cover portion, and the like. [Figure 11] (A) is an explanatory view showing an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a rear wall portion is separated from an underframe, a left wall portion, a right wall portion, an upper wall portion, an oil pan cover portion, and the like, and (B) and (C) are explanatory views showing a locking mechanism in the engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where an upper wall portion is separated from an upper frame, a left wall portion, a right wall portion, a front wall portion, a rear wall portion, and the like. [Figure 13] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an upper wall portion in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] (A) is an explanatory view showing an upper wall portion and an upper frame separated from each other in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing a rear portion of the upper wall portion and a rear end portion of the upper frame joined to each other in the engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] (A) is an explanatory view showing a seal member in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) is an explanatory view showing a positional relationship between each wall portion, each cover portion, and the seal member in the engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 18 is an end view showing a seal structure of each part in an engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] The engine cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is an engine cover that covers an engine of an outboard motor, and includes a left wall portion that covers the left side of the engine, a right wall portion that covers the right side of the engine, a front wall portion that covers the front of the engine, a rear wall portion that covers the rear of the engine, and an upper wall portion that covers the upper surface of the engine. The upper wall portion is detachably joined to a portion including the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion in the engine cover.

[0014] By attaching the engine cover of this embodiment to the outboard motor, the left side, right side, front side, rear side, and upper surface of the engine are covered by the engine cover.

[0015] Also, the upper wall portion of the engine cover of this embodiment is separable from the portion including the left wall portion, right wall portion, front wall portion, and rear wall portion in the engine cover. The user can separate the upper wall portion from the portion including the left wall portion, right wall portion, front wall portion, and rear wall portion in the engine cover. That is, the user can remove the upper wall portion of the engine cover from the outboard motor while maintaining the state where the portion including the left wall portion, right wall portion, front wall portion, and rear wall portion in the engine cover is attached to the outboard motor. By removing the upper wall portion from the outboard motor, a part of the engine is exposed to the outside, or an opening that allows the user to touch the engine is formed in the engine cover. Thereby, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine.

[0016] Also, the upper wall portion of the engine cover of this embodiment covers the upper surface of the engine. Also, the position of the boundary line between the upper wall portion and the portion including the left wall portion, right wall portion, front wall portion, and rear wall portion in the engine cover is set at the upper end of the engine or above the upper end of the engine. Thus, the upper wall portion constitutes the upper end side portion of the engine cover. Even when the overall weight of the engine cover is large, the weight of the upper wall portion, which is a part of the engine cover, is small. Also, even when the overall volume of the engine cover is large, the volume of the upper wall portion, which is a part of the engine cover, is small. If the user removes the light or small upper wall portion from the outboard motor, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine. That is, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine without removing the entire heavy or large engine cover from the outboard motor. Therefore, the workability of maintenance work on the engine and the like is improved.

Example

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the embodiments, when referring to the directions up (Ud), down (Dd), left (Ld), right (Rd), front (Fd), and back (Bd), refer to the arrows drawn in the lower left of each figure.

[0018] (Basic configuration of the engine cover) Figure 1 shows an outboard motor 1 equipped with an engine cover 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the engine cover 11 is a cover that covers the engine 3 of the outboard motor 1 and is provided on the upper part of the outboard motor 1.

[0019] Engine 3 is the power source that rotates the propeller 2 of the outboard motor 1 and is located on top of the outboard motor 1. Engine 3 is positioned vertically so that the extension direction of the crankshaft axis is vertical. Engine 3 also includes a crankcase 4, cylinder block 5, cylinder head 6, and intake manifold 7. The crankcase 4 is located at the front of the engine 3, the cylinder block 5 is located behind the crankcase 4, the cylinder head 6 is located behind the cylinder block 5, and the intake manifold 7 is located behind the cylinder head 6. An intake port 7A is provided at the top of the intake manifold 7 to draw outside air from the engine 3 into the intake manifold 7.

[0020] Furthermore, the engine 3 is supported by an engine holder 8. The engine holder 8 is located below the engine 3 and supports the engine 3 from below. The engine 3 is also provided with an oil pan 9. The oil pan 9 is located below the engine holder 8 and is connected to the engine 3 via the engine holder 8. The engine cover 11 covers not only the engine 3 but also the engine holder 8 and the oil pan 9.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the external appearance of the engine cover 11 as seen from the front upper left. Figure 3(A) shows the engine cover 11 as seen from the front. Figure 3(B) shows the engine cover 11 as seen from the left.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the engine cover 11 is formed in a box shape with a lid overall, and the bottom of the engine cover 11 is open. As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the engine cover 11 includes a left wall portion 12 that covers the front of the left side of the engine 3, a right wall portion 13 that covers the front of the right side of the engine 3, a front wall portion 14 that covers the front of the engine 3, a rear wall portion 15 that covers the rear of the engine 3, the rear of the left side and the rear of the right side, an upper wall portion 16 that covers the top of the engine 3, a front lower cover portion 28 that covers the front lower part of the engine 3, and an oil pan cover portion 29 that covers the oil pan 9. The left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 are each formed from independent members. Furthermore, the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 are each formed of a resin such as a thermoplastic resin.

[0023] Furthermore, the engine cover 11 is equipped with a frame 31, as shown by the dashed lines in Figures 3(A) and 3(B). The left wall 12, right wall 13, front wall 14, rear wall 15, upper wall 16, front lower cover 28, and oil pan cover 29 are each supported by the frame 31 and are integrated via the frame 31.

[0024] (framework) Figure 4 shows the frame 31 of the engine cover 11. As shown in Figure 4, the frame 31 of the engine cover 11 has an underframe 32, a left side frame 41, a right side frame 42, an upper frame 43, and a front frame 44. These frames 32, 41-44 are each made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0025] Furthermore, the underframe 32 is a specific example of the "first frame," and the upper frame 43 is a specific example of the "second frame." Also, the left side frame 41 is a specific example of the "third frame," and the right side frame 42 is a specific example of the "fourth frame."

[0026] The underframe 32 is the base portion of the frame 31 and is located at the bottom of the frame 31. When viewed from above, the underframe 32 has an elliptical shape, with its diameter in the front-to-back direction being larger than its diameter in the left-to-right direction. The underframe 32 has a plate-shaped bottom plate portion 33 that extends in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, plate-shaped side plate portions 34 that extend upward from the outer edge of the bottom plate portion 33, and a front overhang portion 35 that protrudes forward from the front end of the side plate portion 34. The underframe 32 has high rigidity because it has a bottom plate portion 33. An engine holder mounting hole 36 is provided approximately in the center of the bottom plate portion 33. An engine holder 8 is mounted in the engine holder mounting hole 36 via a sealing member. As a result, the frame 31 is connected to and supported by the engine holder 8, as shown in Figure 5(A). Furthermore, by connecting and supporting the frame 31 to the engine holder 8 in this way, the entire engine cover 11 is connected to and supported by the engine holder 8.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the left side frame 41 is the left support column of the framework 31, formed in a rod shape and extending upward from the left side of the underframe 32. The lower end of the left side frame 41 is connected to and supported by the left side of the underframe 32.

[0028] The right side frame 42 is the right-side support column of the framework 31, and is formed in a rod shape, extending upward from the right side of the underframe 32. The lower end of the right side frame 42 is connected to and supported by the right side of the underframe 32.

[0029] Figure 5(B) shows the connection between the underframe 32 and the right side frame 42. As shown in Figure 5(B), a boss portion 37 is provided at the corner where the right side of the bottom plate portion 33 and the right side of the side plate portion 34 intersect in the underframe 32. A connecting portion 51 is also provided at the lower end of the right side frame 42. The connecting portion 51 is connected to the boss portion 37 using a connecting member 61, such as a bolt. By providing the boss portion 37 at the corner where the right side of the bottom plate portion 33 and the right side of the side plate portion 34 intersect in the underframe 32, the boss portion 37 can be firmly fixed to the underframe 32, and by connecting the lower end of the right side frame 42 to the boss portion 37, the right side frame 42 can be firmly supported by the underframe 32.

[0030] Although not shown in the illustration, a boss is provided at the corner where the left side of the bottom plate 33 and the left side of the side plate 34 intersect in the underframe 32. Also, as shown in Figure 4, a connecting portion 52 is provided at the lower end of the left side frame 41. The connecting portion 52 is connected to the boss provided at the corner where the left side of the bottom plate 33 and the left side of the side plate 34 intersect using a connecting member such as a bolt. This allows the left side frame 41 to be firmly supported by the underframe 32.

[0031] The upper frame 43 is positioned on top of the framework 31 and above the underframe 32. The upper frame 43 is formed in an annular shape, and when viewed from above, its outer shape is generally elliptical, with the diameter in the front-to-back direction being larger than the diameter in the left-to-right direction. A connecting portion 53 is provided on the left side of the upper frame 43, and this connecting portion 53 is connected to a connecting portion 54 provided at the upper end of the left side frame 41 using a connecting member 62, such as a bolt. A connecting portion 55 is provided on the right side of the upper frame 43, and this connecting portion 55 is connected to a connecting portion 56 provided at the upper end of the right side frame 42 using a connecting member 63, such as a bolt. In this way, the upper frame 43 is connected to and supported by the left side frame 41 and the right side frame 42.

[0032] The front frame 44 is positioned at the front of the framework 31 and is located between the front of the underframe 32 and the front of the upper frame 43. The front of the upper frame 43 is supported by the front of the underframe 32 by the front frame 44. When viewed from the front, the front frame 44 has a roughly trapezoidal shape. The front frame 44 has a flat floor section 45, two column sections 46 extending upward from the left and right sides of the floor section 45, and two connecting sections 47 extending horizontally between the two column sections 46 and connecting them. In addition, two connecting sections 57 are provided on the upper part of the front frame 44. These connecting sections 57 are connected to two connecting sections 58 provided at the front of the upper frame 43 using connecting members 64, such as bolts. Furthermore, as will be described later, the connecting portion 76 provided at the front end of the floor portion 45 of the front frame 44 is connected to the front end of the front lower cover portion 28, which is locked to the front end of the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32, using a connecting member 114 (see Figures 8(A) and 8(B)). As a result, the lower part of the front frame 44 is connected to the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32 via the front lower cover portion 28.

[0033] Figure 6 shows the positional relationship between the left wall section 12, the right wall section 13, the front wall section 14, the rear wall section 15, the upper wall section 16, the front lower cover section 28, and the oil pan cover section 29, and the frame 31. As can be seen from Figure 6, the underframe 32 extends along the lower edges of the left wall section 12, the front wall section 14, the right wall section 13, and the rear wall section 15. The underframe 32 also extends along the upper edges of the front lower cover section 28 and the oil pan cover section 29. In other words, the underframe 32 extends along the boundary between the left wall section 12 and the oil pan cover section 29, the boundary between the left wall section 12 and the front lower cover section 28, the boundary between the front wall section 14 and the front lower cover section 28, the boundary between the right wall section 13 and the front lower cover section 28, the boundary between the right wall section 13 and the oil pan cover section 29, and the boundary between the rear wall section 15 and the oil pan cover section 29.

[0034] Furthermore, the left side frame 41 extends along the rear edge of the left wall 12. Also, the left side frame 41 extends along the left edge of the rear wall 15 (the front edge of the left side of the rear wall 15). In other words, the left side frame 41 extends along the boundary between the left wall 12 and the rear wall 15.

[0035] Furthermore, the right side frame 42 extends along the rear edge of the right wall 13. Also, the right side frame 42 extends along the right edge of the rear wall 15 (the front edge of the right side of the rear wall 15). In other words, the right side frame 42 extends along the boundary between the right wall 13 and the rear wall 15.

[0036] Furthermore, the upper frame 43 extends along the outer edge of the upper wall portion 16. Also, the upper frame 43 extends along the upper edges of the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13, and the rear wall portion 15. In other words, the upper frame 43 extends along the boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the left wall portion 12, the boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the front wall portion 14, the boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the right wall portion 13, and the boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the rear wall portion 15.

[0037] Furthermore, the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44 extends along the front edge of the left wall portion 12. Also, the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44 extends along the left edge of the front wall portion 14. In other words, the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44 extends along the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front wall portion 14.

[0038] Furthermore, the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44 extends along the front edge of the right wall portion 13. Also, the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44 extends along the right edge of the front wall portion 14. In other words, the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44 extends along the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front wall portion 14.

[0039] (Left wall section, right wall section, front lower cover section, oil pan cover section) Figure 7 shows the frame 31, left wall section 12, front lower cover section 28, and oil pan cover section 29 in their separate states. Figure 8(A) shows the frame 31, left wall section 12, right wall section 13, front lower cover section 28, and oil pan cover section 29 in their joined states. Figure 8(B) shows the cross-sections of the front overhang section 35 of the underframe 32, the floor section 45 of the front frame 44, and the front lower cover section 28, cut along the cutting line HH in Figure 8(A), viewed from the left (bottom right in Figure 8(A)).

[0040] As shown in Figures 7 and 8(A), the left wall portion 12 is formed in a plate shape with a portion curved or bent by resin molding. The left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44, the left side frame 41, and the left front portion of the under frame 32. Specifically, the front edge of the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44 by connecting a plurality of connecting portions 71 provided on the front edge of the left wall portion 12 to a plurality of connecting portions 72 provided on the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44 using connecting members 111 such as bolts. The rear edge of the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left side frame 41 by connecting a plurality of connecting portions 73 provided on the rear edge of the left wall portion 12 to a plurality of connecting portions 74 provided on the left side frame 41 using connecting members 112 such as bolts. Furthermore, the lower part of the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left front part of the underframe 32 by inserting a connecting member 113, such as a bolt, into a connecting hole 91 provided in the lower part of the left wall portion 12, and fastening the connecting member 113 to a connecting portion 75 provided in the left front part of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32.

[0041] The right wall section 13 is formed by resin molding to have a shape symmetrical to the left wall section 12. The right wall section 13 is fixed to the right column section 46 of the front frame 44, the right side frame 42, and the right front part of the under frame 32 in the same manner as the left wall section 12.

[0042] The front lower cover portion 28 is formed by resin molding into a plate-like shape with a portion curved or bent, or generally into a bowl shape. The front lower cover portion 28 is fixed to the front part of the underframe 32. Specifically, as shown in Figure 8(B), the front part of the front lower cover portion 28 is first engaged with an engaging projection 125 provided at the front end of the front lower cover portion 28 into an engaging recess 126 provided at the front end of the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32. Next, the connecting portion 76 provided at the front end of the floor portion 45 of the front frame 44 is assembled to the front end of the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32. Then, a connecting member 114, such as a bolt, is inserted into a connecting hole 92 provided at the front end of the front lower cover portion 28, and the connecting member 114 is fastened to the connecting portion 76, thereby fixing it to the front end of the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32. Furthermore, the rear portion of the front lower cover portion 28 is fixed to a connecting portion 77 (see Figure 7) provided at the front end of the bottom plate portion 33 of the underframe 32, using, for example, a connecting member such as a bolt.

[0043] The oil pan cover portion 29 is formed in a cylindrical shape by resin molding. The upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the underframe 32. Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8(A), the front part of the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the front of the underframe 32 by inserting a connecting member 115, such as a bolt, into a connecting hole 93 provided in the front part of the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29, and fastening the connecting member 115 to a connecting portion 78 provided in the front part of the bottom plate portion 33 of the underframe 32. The rear part of the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the rear of the underframe 32 by inserting a connecting member 116, such as a bolt, into a connecting hole 94 provided in the rear part of the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29, and fastening the connecting member 116 to a connecting portion 79 provided in the rear part of the bottom plate portion 33 of the underframe 32. Although Figures 7 and 8(A) show a configuration in which the left part of the oil pan cover 29 is fixed to the left part of the underframe 32, the right part of the oil pan cover 29 is also fixed to the right part of the underframe 32 in the same configuration as the configuration in which the left part of the oil pan cover 29 is fixed to the left part of the underframe 32.

[0044] (front wall) Figure 9 shows the engine cover 11 with the front wall portion 14 separated from the front frame 44, left wall portion 12, front lower cover portion 28, and upper wall portion 16, etc. As shown in Figure 9, the front wall portion 14 is formed by resin molding in a plate shape with a part of it curved or bent, or generally in a bowl shape.

[0045] Furthermore, the front wall portion 14 is detachably connected to the engine cover 11, specifically to the portion including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the frame 31.

[0046] More specifically, as shown in Figures 3(A) and 39, the upper part of the front wall 14 is attached to the upper part of the front frame 44 by inserting a connecting member 117, such as a bolt, into a connecting hole 95 provided in the left-right center of the upper part of the front wall 14, and fastening the connecting member 117 to a connecting part 80 provided on the upper connecting part 47 of the front frame 44. The lower left part of the front wall 14 is attached to the left corner of the front frame 44 by inserting a connecting member 118, such as a bolt, into a connecting hole 96 provided in the lower left part of the front wall 14, and fastening the connecting member 118 to a connecting part 81 provided on the left corner of the front frame 44. Furthermore, the lower right portion of the front wall portion 14 is attached to the right corner of the front frame 44 by inserting a connecting member 119, such as a bolt, into a connecting hole 97 provided in the lower right portion of the front wall portion 14, and fastening the connecting member 119 to a connecting portion 82 provided in the right corner of the front frame 44.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(A), the heads of the connecting members 117, 118, and 119 are exposed on the front outer surface of the engine cover 11, allowing the user to easily remove the connecting members 117, 118, and 119 using a screwdriver or other tool. By removing the connecting members 117, 118, and 119, the user can easily remove the front wall portion 14 from the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31. Removing the front wall portion 14 creates an opening in the front of the engine cover 11 that allows the user to access the engine 3. This allows the user to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. By removing the front wall portion 14, the user can, for example, replace the fuel filter of the engine 3 or connect cables to electrical components installed in the engine 3.

[0048] Furthermore, the user can easily attach the removed front wall portion 14 to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31, by positioning the removed front wall portion 14 in front of the front frame 44, and using a tool such as a screwdriver to insert the connecting member 117 into the connecting hole 95 and fasten it to the connecting portion 80, insert the connecting member 118 into the connecting hole 96 and fasten it to the connecting portion 81, and insert the connecting member 119 into the connecting hole 97 and fasten it to the connecting portion 82.

[0049] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 2, 3(B) and 9, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the front frame 44, the front wall portion 14 covers the connecting member 111 that connects the front edge of the left wall portion 12 to the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44, and the connecting member 111 that connects the front edge of the right wall portion 13 to the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44. That is, as shown in Figure 3(B), when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the front frame 44, the left edge of the front wall portion 14 is located to the left of the front edge of the left wall portion 12, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the left, the left edge of the front wall portion 14 overlaps with the front edge of the left wall portion 12. As a result, the connecting member 111 that connects the front edge of the left wall portion 12 to the front frame 44 is covered by the left edge of the front wall portion 14. Similarly, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the front frame 44, the right edge of the front wall portion 14 is located to the right of the front edge of the right wall portion 13, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the right, the right edge of the front wall portion 14 overlaps with the front edge of the right wall portion 13. As a result, the connecting member 111 that connects the front edge of the right wall portion 13 to the front frame 44 is covered by the right edge of the front wall portion 14. In this way, the front wall portion 14 covers and conceals the connecting member 111, which prevents numerous bolts and the like from being exposed on the outer surface of the engine cover 11, thus improving the appearance of the engine cover 11.

[0050] (rear wall) Figure 10 shows the engine cover 11 as viewed from the front left upper side, with the rear wall portion 15 separated from the underframe 32, left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, upper wall portion 16, and oil pan cover portion 29, etc. Figure 11(A) shows the engine cover 11 in Figure 10 as viewed from the left.

[0051] As shown in Figure 10, the rear wall portion 15 is formed in a plate shape with a portion curved or bent by resin molding. When viewed from above, the rear wall portion 15 is generally formed in a U shape. The rear wall portion 15 has a wall plate portion 15A that covers the rear surface of the engine 3, a wall plate portion 15B that covers the rear of the left side of the engine 3, and a wall plate portion 15C that covers the rear of the right side of the engine 3.

[0052] Furthermore, the rear wall portion 15 is detachably connected to the engine cover 11, specifically to the portion including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the frame 31.

[0053] More specifically, the right portion (wall plate portion 15C) of the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the right wall portion 13 by a locking mechanism 131. That is, the right portion of the engine cover 11 is provided with a locking mechanism 131. Figure 11(B) shows the locking mechanism 131. As shown in Figure 11(B), the locking mechanism 131 has a hook 132, an operating lever 133 for operating the hook 132, a connecting shaft 134 that connects the hook 132 and the operating lever 133, and a locked portion 135 that is locked by the hook 132. The hook 132, the operating lever 133, and the connecting shaft 134 are located in the vertical center of the rear edge of the right wall portion 13. The connecting shaft 134 extends in the left-right direction, is inserted into a hole provided in the right wall portion 13, passes through the right wall portion 13, and is rotatably supported by the right wall portion 13. The hook 132 is located on the inside (left side) of the right wall portion 13 and is connected to the left end of the connecting shaft 134. The operating lever 133 is located on the outside (right side) of the right wall portion 13 and is connected to the right end of the connecting shaft 134. The hook 132, operating lever 133, and connecting shaft 134 can rotate together with respect to the right wall portion 13 around the axis of the connecting shaft 134. On the other hand, the locking portion 135 is fixed to the vertical center of the inner surface (left side) of the front edge of the right portion (wall plate portion 15C) of the rear wall portion 15. As shown in Figure 11(B), the locking portion 135 is locked by the hook 132. In the state shown in Figure 11(B), when the operating lever 133 is rotated in the direction of arrow R, the hook 132 rotates together with the operating lever 133, and as shown in Figure 11(C), the locking of the locking portion 135 by the hook 132 is released. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 11(C), when the operating lever 133 is turned in the direction of arrow S, the locking portion 135 is locked by the hook 132, as shown in Figure 11(B).

[0054] Furthermore, the left portion (wall plate portion 15B) of the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the left wall portion 12 by a locking mechanism 141. In other words, a locking mechanism 141 is provided on the left side of the engine cover 11. The locking mechanism 141 has a shape and structure symmetrical to the locking mechanism 131 provided on the right side of the engine cover 11. As shown in Figure 11(A), in the locking mechanism 141, the hook 142, the operating lever 143, and the connecting shaft 144 are located in the vertical center of the rear edge of the left wall portion 12. The connecting shaft 144 is inserted into a hole provided in the left wall portion 12, passes through the left wall portion 12, and is rotatably supported by the left wall portion 12. The hook 142 is located on the inside (right side) of the left wall portion 12 and is coupled to the right end of the connecting shaft 144. The operating lever 143 is located on the outside (left side) of the left wall portion 12 and is coupled to the left end of the connecting shaft 144. On the other hand, the locked portion 145 is fixed to the vertical center of the inner surface (right side) of the front edge of the left side (wall plate portion 15B) of the rear wall portion 15. Furthermore, the operation of locking and unlocking the locked portion 145 by the hook 142 in the locking mechanism 141 is the same as the operation of locking and unlocking the locked portion 135 by the hook 132 in the locking mechanism 131.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3(B), 4, and 11(A), the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 (wall panel portion 15B) is attached to the left side of the underframe 32 by inserting two connecting members 120 (e.g., bolts) into two connecting holes 98 provided at the front lower corner of the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 (wall panel portion 15B), and fastening the two connecting members 120 to a connecting portion 83 provided at the left side of the side panel portion 34 of the underframe 32. Similarly, the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 (wall panel portion 15C) is attached to the right side of the underframe 32 by inserting two connecting members (e.g., bolts) into two connecting holes provided at the front lower corner of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 (wall panel portion 15C), and fastening the two connecting members to a connecting portion provided at the right side of the side panel portion 34 of the underframe 32. Furthermore, the heads of the two connecting members 120 that attach the left side of the rear wall 15 to the left side of the underframe 32 are exposed on the left outer surface of the engine cover 11, allowing users to easily remove the two connecting members 120 using a screwdriver or other tool. Also, the heads of the two connecting members that attach the right side of the rear wall 15 to the right side of the underframe 32 are exposed on the right outer surface of the engine cover 11, allowing users to easily remove these two connecting members using a screwdriver or other tool.

[0056] The user can easily remove the rear wall portion 15 attached to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame portion 31, as follows: First, the user removes the two connecting members 120 that attach the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 to the left portion of the underframe 32, and the two connecting members that attach the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 to the right portion of the underframe 32. Next, the user operates the operating lever 133 of the locking mechanism 131 to release the locking of the locked portion 135 by the hook 132, and operates the operating lever 143 of the locking mechanism 141 to release the locking of the locked portion 145 by the hook 142. Next, the user pulls the rear wall portion 15 backward from between the rear portion of the underframe 32 and the rear portion of the upper frame 43.

[0057] By removing the rear wall portion 15, the rear of the engine 3, specifically the rear surface, the rear left side, and the rear right side of the engine 3, are exposed. This allows the user to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. By removing the rear wall portion 15, the user can, for example, replace the spark plugs of the engine 3.

[0058] Furthermore, the user can easily attach the removed rear wall portion 15 to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31, as follows. First, the user inserts the rear wall portion 15 from behind between the rear of the underframe 32 and the rear of the upper frame 43. Next, they operate the operating lever 133 of the locking mechanism 131 to lock the locked portion 135 with the hook 132, and also operate the operating lever 143 of the locking mechanism 141 to lock the locked portion 145 with the hook 142. Then, using a tool such as a screwdriver, they insert the two connecting members 120 into the two connecting holes 98 and fasten them to the connecting portion 83. Finally, they insert the two connecting members into the two connecting holes provided at the front lower corner of the right side of the rear wall portion 15 and fasten them to the connecting portion provided on the right side of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32.

[0059] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 2, 3(B) and 10, when the left portion of the rear wall 15 is attached to the left wall 12, the left portion of the rear wall 15 covers the connecting member 112 that connects the rear edge of the left wall 12 to the left side frame 41. That is, as shown in Figure 3(B), when the left portion of the rear wall 15 is attached to the left wall 12, the front edge of the left portion of the rear wall 15 is located to the left of the rear edge of the left wall 12, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the left, the front edge of the left portion of the rear wall 15 overlaps with the rear edge of the left wall 12. As a result, the connecting member 112 that connects the rear edge of the left wall 12 to the left side frame 41 is covered by the front edge of the left portion of the rear wall 15. Similarly, when the right portion of the rear wall 15 is attached to the right wall 13, the right portion of the rear wall 15 covers the connecting member 112 that connects the rear edge of the right wall 13 to the right side frame 42. That is, when the right portion of the rear wall 15 is attached to the right wall 13, the front edge of the right portion of the rear wall 15 is located to the right of the rear edge of the right wall 13, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the right, the front edge of the right portion of the rear wall 15 overlaps with the rear edge of the right wall 13. As a result, the connecting member 112 that connects the rear edge of the right wall 13 to the right side frame 42 is covered by the front edge of the right portion of the rear wall 15. In this way, by the rear wall 15 covering the connecting member 112, it is possible to prevent numerous bolts and the like from being exposed on the outer surface of the engine cover 11, thereby improving the appearance of the engine cover 11.

[0060] (Top wall) As shown in Figures 3(A) and 3(B), the upper wall portion 16 constitutes the upper end portion of the engine cover 11. Also, as can be seen from Figure 1, the boundary line between the upper wall portion 16 and the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31 is set at the upper end of the engine 3, or above the upper end of the engine 3.

[0061] Figure 12 shows the engine cover 11 with the upper wall portion 16 separated from the upper frame 43, left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, and rear wall portion 15, etc. Figure 13 shows the disassembled upper wall portion 16.

[0062] As shown in Figure 13, the upper wall portion 16 includes an inner cover portion 17 and an outer cover portion 21 that covers the inner cover portion 17 from above.

[0063] The inner cover portion 17 is formed by resin molding into a generally elliptical, flat plate shape, such that when viewed from above, its diameter in the front-to-back direction is larger than its diameter in the left-to-right direction. The shape of the inner cover portion 17 when viewed from above is substantially the same as the shape of the upper frame 43 when viewed from above. A communication hole 18 is provided at the rear of the inner cover portion 17, and the periphery of the communication hole 18 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape. A through hole 19 is provided at the front of the inner cover portion 17, and the periphery of the through hole 19 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape. Multiple connecting portions 85 are provided in the middle of the inner cover portion 17 in the vertical direction, and on the outer periphery of the through hole 19 in the inner cover portion 17. An insertion hole 20 is provided in front of the through hole 19 in the inner cover portion 17.

[0064] The outer cover portion 21 is formed by resin molding into a curved plate shape, with the central portion rising upward compared to its outer edge. The shape of the outer cover portion 21 when viewed from above is substantially the same as the shape of the inner cover portion 17 when viewed from above. In addition, inlets 22 are formed on the left rear and right rear portions of the outer cover portion 21. An access hole 23 is provided on the front portion of the outer cover portion 21. The access hole 23 penetrates the outer cover portion 21. Multiple connecting holes 100 are provided in the vertical middle portion of the outer cover portion 21 and on the outer peripheral portion of the access hole 23 on the outer cover portion 21. In addition, another connecting hole 99 is provided in front of the access hole 23 on the outer cover portion 21.

[0065] Furthermore, the outer cover portion 21 is provided with a lid 24 that covers the access hole 23 from above and closes the access hole 23. The lid 24 is openable and closable. Figure 2 shows the lid 24 in the closed state, and Figure 12 shows the lid 24 in the open state. The rear end of the lid 24 is rotatably supported by the outer cover portion 21. In addition, a lid locking portion 25 is provided at the front end of the outer cover portion 21, and when the lid 24 is closed, the front end of the lid 24 is locked to the lid locking portion 25. As a result, the lid 24 is held in the closed state by the outer cover portion 21. An operation button 26 is also provided at the front end of the outer cover portion 21. When the user presses the operation button 26, the locking of the lid 24 by the lid locking portion 25 is released in conjunction with the operation button. The user can then open the lid 24.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17 by inserting a connecting member 122, such as a bolt, into the connecting hole 100 and fastening the connecting member 122 to the connecting portion 85 of the inner cover portion 17. The upper wall portion 16 is formed by fixing the outer cover portion 21 to the inner cover portion 17 in this way.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, when the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17, an intake passage 27 is formed between the rear of the inner cover portion 17 and the rear of the outer cover portion 21, connecting the inlet 22 and the communication hole 18. Also, when the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the upper frame 43, the communication hole 18 is connected to the intake port 7A of the intake manifold 7 of the engine 3 (see Figure 1). Air from outside the engine 3 flows into the interior of the intake manifold 7 by sequentially passing through the inlet 22, intake passage 27, communication hole 18, and intake port 7A.

[0068] Furthermore, when the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17, the access hole 23 is located above the through hole 19, and the access hole 23 and the through hole 19 are connected to each other. When the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the upper frame 43, the access hole 23 communicates with the space inside the engine cover 11 via the through hole 19. By opening the lid 24, the user can touch the engine 3 through the access hole 23. The user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 through the access hole 23. The user can perform tasks such as checking the engine oil level with an oil level gauge or replenishing engine oil through the access hole 23.

[0069] Furthermore, when the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17, the coupling hole 99 provided in the outer cover portion 21 is located above the insertion hole 20 provided in the inner cover portion 17, and the insertion hole 20 and the coupling hole 99 communicate with each other.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the upper wall portion 16 is detachably connected to the engine cover 11, specifically to the portion including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the frame 31.

[0071] The mounting structure of the upper wall portion 16 to the upper frame 43 will be explained using Figures 14(A) and 14(B). Figure 14(A) shows the upper wall portion 16 and the upper frame 43 in a separated state. Figure 14(B) shows the rear portions of the upper wall portion 16 and the upper frame 43, which are joined together, cut in half horizontally at the center of the upper wall portion 16 and the upper frame 43, and the cross-section of the cut rear portions of the upper wall portion 16 and the upper frame 43 viewed from the left. As shown in Figure 14(A), a locking projection 151 is provided on the lower part of the rear portion of the upper wall portion 16. As shown in Figure 14(B), the rear portion of the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43 by the locking projection 151 being locked to the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43. In addition, as shown in Figures 14(A) and 12, a connecting portion 84 is provided on the front portion of the upper frame 43. The front part of the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the front part of the upper frame 43 by sequentially inserting connecting members 121, such as bolts, into connecting holes 99 provided in the outer cover portion 21 and through holes 20 provided in the inner cover portion 17, and fastening the connecting members 121 to the connecting portion 84 of the upper frame 43.

[0072] Furthermore, with the lid 24 of the outer cover portion 21 of the upper wall portion 16 open, the head of the connecting member 121 is exposed on the upper outer surface of the outer cover portion 21. Therefore, the user can easily remove the connecting member 121 using a tool such as a screwdriver. After removing the connecting member 121, the user can move the upper wall portion 16 forward relative to the upper frame 43 to release the locking projection 151 from the upper frame 43 and separate the upper wall portion 16 from the upper frame 43. In this way, the user can easily remove the upper wall portion 16 from the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31. By removing the upper wall portion 16, an opening is formed on the top of the engine cover 11 that allows the user to touch the engine 3. This allows the user to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. Furthermore, when the user is installing the outboard motor 1 onto a vessel or removing the outboard motor 1 from a vessel, the upper wall portion 16 can be removed, and a crane hook for lifting the outboard motor 1 can be connected to the engine 3 through an opening formed in the upper part of the engine cover 11.

[0073] Furthermore, after the user hooks the locking projection 151 of the removed upper wall portion 16 onto the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43, the user can use a tool such as a screwdriver to sequentially insert the connecting member 121 into the connecting hole 99 and the insertion hole 20 and fasten it to the connecting portion 84, thereby easily attaching the upper wall portion 16 to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the frame 31.

[0074] Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 2, 12 and 14(A), when the lid 24 of the outer cover portion 21 of the upper wall portion 16 is closed, the lid 24 covers the connecting member 122 that connects the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21, and the connecting member 121 that attaches the upper wall portion 16 to the upper frame 43. By covering the connecting members 121 and 122 with the lid 24, it is possible to prevent numerous bolts and the like from being exposed on the outer surface of the engine cover 11, thereby improving the appearance of the engine cover 11.

[0075] (Seal structure) Figure 15(A) shows the sealing members 161-166 of the engine cover 11 and their positions. Figure 15(B) shows the positional relationship between the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, and oil pan cover portion 29 and the sealing members 161-166.

[0076] As shown in Figure 15(A), the engine cover 11 includes an upper seal member 161, a left front seal member 162, a left side seal member 163, a right front seal member 164, a right side seal member 165, and an under seal member 166. The material of these seal members 161 to 166 is, for example, rubber. These seal members 161 to 166 also have the function of preventing water from entering the engine cover 11.

[0077] As shown in Figures 15(A) and 15(B), the upper seal member 161 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13, and the rear wall portion 15 and the upper wall portion 16. Also, as can be seen from Figures 4, 6, 15(A), and 15(B), the upper seal member 161 extends along the upper frame 43 and around the entire circumference of the upper frame 43.

[0078] Here, Figure 16(A) shows the end faces of the cut portions of the left wall portion 12, upper wall portion 16, upper frame 43, and upper seal member 161, cut along the cutting line AA in Figure 15(B), viewed from the rear (right in Figure 15(B)). As shown in Figure 16(A), the upper seal member 161 is attached to the upper frame 43 and is in close contact with the upper frame 43. The upper edge of the left wall portion 12 (specifically, the tip of the projection 12A that protrudes to the right from the upper edge of the left wall portion 12) is in close contact with the upper seal member 161. The outer peripheral surface of the lower part of the inner cover portion 17 of the upper wall portion 16 is also in close contact with the upper seal member 161. The upper edges of the front wall portion 14 and the right wall portion 13 are also in close contact with the upper seal member 161 attached to the upper frame 43, similar to the upper edge of the left wall portion 12.

[0079] Furthermore, Figure 16(B) shows the end faces of the cut portions of the rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, upper frame 43, and upper seal member 161, which were cut along the cutting line BB in Figure 15(B), as viewed from the rear (right in Figure 15(B)). As shown in Figure 16(B), the upper edge of the rear wall portion 15 (specifically, the tip of the projection 15D that protrudes to the right from the upper edge of the rear wall portion 15) is in close contact with the upper seal member 161 attached to the upper frame 43.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15(B), the left front sealing member 162 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front wall portion 14. The left front sealing member 162 also extends along the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44, from the lower end to the upper end of the column portion 46.

[0081] Here, Figure 16(C) shows a top view of the cut ends of the front wall portion 14, left wall portion 12, left column portion 46 of the front frame 44, and left front seal member 162, which were cut along the cutting line CC in Figure 15(B). As shown in Figure 16(C), the left front seal member 162 is attached to the front edge of the left wall portion 12 and is in close contact with the front edge of the left wall portion 12. Also, the left edge of the front wall portion 14 (the rear edge of the left side of the front wall portion 14) is in close contact with the left front seal member 162. Furthermore, the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44 is in close contact with the left front seal member 162.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15(B), the left side sealing member 163 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the rear wall portion 15. The left side sealing member 163 also extends along the left side frame 41, from the lower end to the upper end of the left side frame 41.

[0083] Here, Figure 16(D) shows a top view of the end faces of the cut portions of the left wall portion 12, rear wall portion 15, left side frame 41, and left side sealing member 163, which were cut along the cutting line DD in Figure 15(B). As shown in Figure 16(D), the left side sealing member 163 is attached to the rear edge of the left wall portion 12 and is in close contact with the rear edge of the left wall portion 12. Also, the left edge of the rear wall portion 15 (the front edge of the left side of the rear wall portion 15) is in close contact with the left side sealing member 163. Furthermore, the left side frame 41 is in close contact with the left side sealing member 163.

[0084] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 15(A), the right front sealing member 164 seals the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front wall portion 14. The right front sealing member 164 also extends along the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44, from the lower end to the upper end of the column portion 46. The arrangement of the right front sealing member 164, the front edge of the right wall portion 13, the right edge of the front wall portion 14, and the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44 is symmetrical to the arrangement of the left front sealing member 162, the front edge of the left wall portion 12, the left edge of the front wall portion 14, and the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44. That is, the right front sealing member 164 is attached to the front edge of the right wall portion 13 and is in close contact with the front edge of the right wall portion 13. In addition, the right edge of the front wall portion 14 (the rear edge of the right side of the front wall portion 14) is in close contact with the right front sealing member 164. Furthermore, the right-side column portion 46 of the front frame 44 is in close contact with the right front sealing member 164.

[0085] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 6 and 15(A), the right side sealing member 165 seals the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15. The right side sealing member 165 also extends along the right side frame 42, from the lower end to the upper end of the right side frame 42. The arrangement of the right side sealing member 165, the rear edge of the right wall portion 13, the front edge of the rear wall portion 15, and the right side frame 42 is symmetrical to the arrangement of the left front sealing member 162, the rear edge of the left wall portion 12, the front edge of the rear wall portion 15, and the left side frame 41. That is, the right side sealing member 165 is attached to the rear edge of the right wall portion 13 and is in close contact with the rear edge of the right wall portion 13. Also, the right edge of the rear wall portion 15 (the front edge of the right side of the rear wall portion 15) is in close contact with the right side sealing member 165. Furthermore, the right side frame 42 is in close contact with the right side sealing member 165.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 15(A) and 15(B), the underseal member 166 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the oil pan cover portion 29, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the front wall portion 14 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the oil pan cover portion 29, and the boundary between the rear wall portion 15 and the oil pan cover portion 29. The underseal member 166 extends along the side plate portion 34 and the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32, covering the entire circumference of the underframe 32.

[0087] Here, Figure 16(E) shows the end faces of the cut portions of the left wall portion 12, front lower cover portion 28, underframe 32, and underseal member 166, which were cut along the cutting line EE in Figure 15(B), as viewed from the rear (right in Figure 15(B)). As shown in Figure 16(E), the front part of the underseal member 166 is attached to the upper edge of the front lower cover portion 28 and is in close contact with the upper edge of the front lower cover portion 28. The lower edge of the front part of the left wall portion 12 is also in close contact with the underseal member 166. The front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32 is also in close contact with the underseal member 166. The lower edge of the front wall portion 14 and the lower edge of the front part of the right wall portion 13 are also in close contact with the underseal member 166 attached to the upper edge of the front lower cover portion 28, similar to the lower edge of the front part of the left wall portion 12.

[0088] Figure 16(F) shows the end faces of the cut portions of the left wall portion 12, oil pan cover portion 29, under frame 32, and under seal member 166, which were cut along the cutting line FF in Figure 15(B), viewed from the rear (right in Figure 15(B)). As shown in Figure 16(F), the rear part of the under seal member 166 is attached to the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29 and is in close contact with the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29. The lower rear edge of the left wall portion 12 is also in close contact with the under seal member 166. The side plate portion 34 of the under frame 32 is also in close contact with the under seal member 166. The lower rear edge of the right wall portion 13 is also in close contact with the under seal member 166 attached to the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29, similar to the lower rear edge of the left wall portion 12.

[0089] Furthermore, Figure 16(G) shows the end faces of the cut portions of the rear wall portion 15, oil pan cover portion 29, under frame 32, and under seal member 166, which were cut along the cutting line GG in Figure 15(B), as viewed from the rear (right in Figure 15(B)). As shown in Figure 16(G), the lower edge of the rear wall portion 15 is in close contact with the under seal member 166 attached to the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29.

[0090] As described above, in the engine cover 11 of the embodiment of the present invention, the user can separate the upper wall portion 16 from the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31. That is, the user can remove the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 while maintaining the state in which the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31 is attached to the outboard motor 1. By removing the upper wall portion 16, an opening is formed in the upper part of the engine cover 11 that allows the user to touch the engine 3. This allows the user to perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

[0091] Furthermore, even if the overall weight of the engine cover 11 is large, the weight of the upper wall portion 16, which is part of the engine cover 11, is small. Also, even if the overall volume of the engine cover 11 is large, the volume of the upper wall portion 16, which is part of the engine cover 11, is small. By removing the light or small upper wall portion 16 from the outboard motor 1, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3. In other words, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, the user can easily perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

[0092] Here, the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 of this embodiment is compared with the upper part of a conventional engine cover (for example, the upper part of an engine cover in an engine cover that can be divided vertically, as shown in Figure 1 of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-302095). As described above, the upper part of a conventional engine cover covers the top, front, left, right, and rear surfaces of the portion from the upper end of the engine to the upper part of the lower end of the engine. In addition, in a conventional engine cover, the boundary line between the upper and lower parts of the engine cover is generally set below the vertical middle part of the engine. In contrast, the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 of this embodiment covers the upper surface of the engine 3. In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the boundary line between the upper wall portion 16 and the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31 is set at the upper end of the engine 3, or above the upper end of the engine 3. As can be seen from the structural differences between the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 in this embodiment and the upper part of the conventional engine cover, the weight of the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 in this embodiment can be reduced to less than the weight of the upper part of the conventional engine cover. Furthermore, the volume of the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 in this embodiment can be reduced to less than the volume of the upper part of the conventional engine cover.

[0093] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the user can separate the rear wall portion 15 from the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31. That is, the user can remove the rear wall portion 15 of the engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 while maintaining the state in which the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31 is attached to the outboard motor 1. By removing the rear wall portion 15, the rear of the engine 3 is exposed to the outside. This allows the user to perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

[0094] Furthermore, even if the overall weight of the engine cover 11 is large, the weight of the rear wall portion 15, which is part of the engine cover 11, is small. Also, even if the overall volume of the engine cover 11 is large, the volume of the rear wall portion 15, which is part of the engine cover 11, is small. Users can perform engine maintenance work, etc., by removing the light or small rear wall portion 15 from the outboard motor 1. In other words, users can perform engine maintenance work, etc., without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, the workability of engine maintenance work, etc., is improved.

[0095] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the user can separate the front wall portion 14 from the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31. That is, the user can remove the front wall portion 14 of the engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 while maintaining the state in which the portion of the engine cover 11 that includes the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31 is attached to the outboard motor 1. By removing the front wall portion 14, an opening is formed in the front of the engine cover 11 that allows the user to touch the engine 3. This allows the user to perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

[0096] Furthermore, even if the overall weight of the engine cover 11 is large, the weight of the front wall portion 14, which is part of the engine cover 11, is small. Also, even if the overall volume of the engine cover 11 is large, the volume of the front wall portion 14, which is part of the engine cover 11, is small. By removing the light or small front wall portion 14 from the outboard motor 1, users can perform maintenance work on the engine 3. In other words, users can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, users can easily perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, and the front wall portion 14 of the engine cover 11 can be removed from the outboard motor 1, thus increasing the area of ​​the engine 3 that can be accessed by the user without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Consequently, the number of parts of the engine 3 that can be maintained without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor increases. Therefore, the number of maintenance items for the engine 3 that can be performed without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 can be increased. With the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the user can easily perform various maintenance on the engine 3 without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor.

[0098] Furthermore, with the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, or the upper wall portion 16 can be removed from the outboard motor 1, so even when multiple outboard motors 1 are mounted on a vessel, maintenance work on the engine 3 of each outboard motor 1 can be easily performed. In other words, when multiple outboard motors 1 are mounted on a vessel, the multiple outboard motors 1 are lined up at the rear of the vessel at narrow intervals in the width direction of the vessel. Therefore, it is difficult to access the engine 3 from the left or right of the outboard motor 1 to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. In contrast, even when multiple outboard motors 1 are lined up at narrow intervals in the width direction of the vessel, it is easy to access the engine 3 from the rear, top, or front of the outboard motor 1 to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. With the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, by removing the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, or the front wall portion 14 from the outboard motor 1, the engine 3 can be accessed from the rear, top, or front of the outboard motor 1. Therefore, even when multiple outboard motors 1 are installed on a vessel, maintenance work on the engine 3 of each outboard motor 1 can be easily performed.

[0099] Furthermore, with the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the rear wall portion 15 can be removed from the outboard motor 1, allowing the user to easily perform maintenance work on the engine 3 by tilting up the outboard motor 1 on board. In other words, the user may perform maintenance work on the engine 3 on board with the outboard motor 1 tilted up. When the rear wall portion 15 of the engine cover 11 is removed from the outboard motor 1 with the outboard motor 1 tilted up, the rear of the engine 3, which is exposed to the outside by the removal of the rear wall portion 15, faces upward. This makes it easier to replace parts of the engine 3 on board, improving the workability of maintenance work on the engine 3.

[0100] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44, the left side frame 41, and the left front portion of the under frame 32. By fixing the left wall portion 12 to these frames, the rigidity of the left wall portion 12 can be increased. Also, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the right wall portion 13 is fixed to the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44, the right side frame 42, and the right front portion of the under frame 32. By fixing the right wall portion 13 to these frames, the rigidity of the right wall portion 13 can be increased.

[0101] Furthermore, by fixing the left wall portion 12 to the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44, the left side frame 41, and the left front portion of the under frame 32, even when thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the left wall portion 12, the rigidity of the left wall portion 12 can be sufficiently increased without forming reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the left wall portion 12. This eliminates sink marks on the outer surface of the left wall portion 12 made of thermoplastic resin, improving the appearance of the engine cover 11. Similarly, by fixing the right wall portion 13 to the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44, the right side frame 42, and the right front portion of the under frame 32, even when thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the right wall portion 13, the rigidity of the right wall portion 13 can be sufficiently increased without forming reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the right wall portion 13. This eliminates sink marks on the outer surface of the right wall portion 13 made of thermoplastic resin, improving the appearance of the engine cover 11. In other words, conventionally, when an engine cover is formed using thermoplastic resin, reinforcing ribs are formed on the inner surface of the wall portion of the engine cover to increase the rigidity of the engine cover. When an engine cover with reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surface of the wall is molded from a thermoplastic resin, sink marks may form on the outer surface of the wall in the portion corresponding to the reinforcing ribs formed on the inner surface of the wall after molding. These sink marks on the outer surface of the wall degrade the appearance of the engine cover. According to the present invention, such sink marks can be eliminated, and the appearance of the engine cover 11 can be improved.

[0102] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the underframe 32. By fixing the upper edge of the oil pan cover portion 29 to the underframe 32, the rigidity of the oil pan cover portion 29 can be increased. And by increasing the rigidity of the oil pan cover portion 29, the rigidity of the engine cover 11 can be increased. In addition, by fixing the oil pan cover portion 29 to the underframe 32, even if thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the oil pan cover portion 29, the rigidity of the oil pan cover portion 29 can be sufficiently increased without forming reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the oil pan cover portion 29. As a result, sink marks can be eliminated from the outer surface of the oil pan cover portion 29 made of thermoplastic resin, and the appearance of the engine cover 11 can be improved.

[0103] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the front part of the front lower cover portion 28 is locked to the underframe 32, and the rear part of the front lower cover portion 28 is fixed to the underframe 32. This increases the rigidity of the front lower cover portion 28. Also, even when thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the front lower cover portion 28, the rigidity of the front lower cover portion 28 can be sufficiently increased without forming reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the front lower cover portion 28. This eliminates sink marks on the outer surface of the front lower cover portion 28 made of thermoplastic resin, improving the appearance of the engine cover 11.

[0104] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the upper wall portion 16 is detachably attached to the upper frame 43. With this configuration, when the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the part of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 15, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29 and frame 31, the upper wall portion 16 can be supported by the upper frame 43, thereby increasing the strength of the attachment of the upper wall portion 16.

[0105] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the left edge of the rear wall portion 15 (the front edge of the left side of the rear wall portion 15) is detachably attached to the rear edge of the left wall portion 12, which is fixed to the left side frame 41. Also, the right edge of the rear wall portion 15 (the front edge of the right side of the rear wall portion 15) is detachably attached to the rear edge of the right wall portion 13, which is fixed to the right side frame 42. With this configuration, when the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the frame 31, the left edge of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned along the left side frame 41, and the right edge of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned along the right side frame 42. Therefore, the left and right edges of the rear wall portion 15 can be supported by the left side frame 41 and the right side frame 42, thereby increasing the mounting strength of the rear wall portion 15. On the other hand, by releasing the connection between the left edge of the rear wall portion 15 and the rear edge of the left wall portion 12, and releasing the connection between the right edge of the rear wall portion 15 and the rear edge of the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15 can be easily removed from the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the frame 31.

[0106] Furthermore, when the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, front wall portion 14, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31, the lower edge of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned to follow the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32, and the upper edge of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned to follow the upper frame 43. With this configuration, the lower and upper edges of the rear wall portion 15 can be supported by the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32 and the upper frame 43, thereby increasing the mounting strength of the rear wall portion 15.

[0107] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the front wall portion 14 is detachably attached to the front frame 44. With this configuration, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the engine cover 11, including the left wall portion 12, right wall portion 13, rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, front lower cover portion 28, oil pan cover portion 29, and frame 31, the front wall portion 14 can be supported by the front frame 44, thereby increasing the mounting strength of the front wall portion 14.

[0108] Furthermore, since the engine cover 11 of this embodiment is equipped with a highly rigid frame 31 made of a metal such as aluminum, even if the rear wall portion 15 is removed from the engine cover 11 from parts other than the rear wall portion 15, or if the upper wall portion 16 is removed from the engine cover 11 from parts other than the upper wall portion 16, or if the front wall portion 14 is removed from the engine cover 11 from parts other than the front wall portion 14, or if the rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16 and front wall portion 14 are removed from the engine cover 11 from parts other than the rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16 and front wall portion 14, a decrease in the rigidity of the engine cover 11 can be suppressed and sufficient rigidity of the engine cover 11 can be ensured.

[0109] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the upper wall portion 16 comprises an inner cover portion 17 and an outer cover portion 21 that covers the inner cover portion 17 from above, and is formed by connecting the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 to each other. By forming the upper wall portion 16 by connecting the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 to each other, the rigidity of the upper wall portion 16 can be increased. In addition, by configuring the outer cover portion 21 to be connected to the inner cover portion 17, sufficient rigidity of the outer cover portion 21 can be ensured without forming reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the outer cover portion 21, and sink marks on the outer surface of the outer cover portion 21 can be eliminated. This improves the appearance of the engine cover 11. Furthermore, the lid 24 provided on the outer cover portion 21 can cover and conceal the connecting member 122 that connects the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 to each other, and the connecting member 121 that connects the upper wall portion 16 to the upper frame 43. This improves the appearance of the engine cover 11.

[0110] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the upper seal member 161 extends along the upper frame 43. This allows the upper seal member 161 to be supported by the upper frame 43, thereby improving the sealing performance of the upper seal member 161. Therefore, the boundary between the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13, and the rear wall portion 15 and the upper wall portion 16 can be reliably sealed by the upper seal member 161.

[0111] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the left side sealing member 163 extends along the left side frame 41. This allows the left side sealing member 163 to be supported by the left side frame 41, thereby improving the sealing performance of the left side sealing member 163. Consequently, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the rear wall portion 15 can be reliably sealed by the left side sealing member 163. In addition, the right side sealing member 165 extends along the right side frame 42. This allows the right side sealing member 165 to be supported by the right side frame 42, thereby reliably sealing the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15 by the right side sealing member 165.

[0112] Furthermore, the left front sealing member 162 extends along the left column portion 46 of the front frame 44. This allows the left front sealing member 162 to be supported by the front frame 44, thereby improving the sealing performance of the left front sealing member 162. Consequently, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front wall portion 14 can be reliably sealed by the left front sealing member 162. Similarly, the right front sealing member 164 extends along the right column portion 46 of the front frame 44. This allows the right front sealing member 164 to be supported by the front frame 44, thereby reliably sealing the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front wall portion 14 by the right front sealing member 164.

[0113] Furthermore, the underseal member 166 extends along the side plate portion 34 and the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32. This allows the underseal member 166 to be supported by the side plate portion 34 and the front overhang portion 35 of the underframe 32, thereby improving the sealing performance of the underseal member 166. Consequently, the boundaries between the left wall portion 12 and the oil pan cover portion 29, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the front wall portion 14 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the oil pan cover portion 29, and the boundary between the rear wall portion 15 and the oil pan cover portion 29 can be reliably sealed by the underseal member 166.

[0114] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, the rear part of the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the rear end of the upper frame 43 by hooking the locking projection 151 provided on the upper wall portion 16 onto the rear end 43A of the upper frame 43. This allows the rear part of the upper wall portion 16 to be easily attached to and detached from the upper frame 43.

[0115] Furthermore, in the engine cover 11 of this embodiment, locking mechanisms 131 and 141 are used as means for attaching the rear wall portion 15 to the left wall portion 12 and the right wall portion 13. This allows the rear wall portion 15 to be easily attached to and detached from the left wall portion 12 and the right wall portion 13.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the upper wall portion 16 was formed by an inner cover portion 17 and an outer cover portion 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper wall portion may be formed by a single member (for example, a single resin molded product). Even when the upper wall portion is formed by a single resin molded product using thermoplastic resin, the outer edge of the upper wall portion is supported by the upper frame 43, so sufficient rigidity of the upper wall portion can be ensured without forming reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the upper wall portion, and sink marks can be eliminated from the outer surface of the upper wall portion.

[0117] Furthermore, the present invention may be modified as appropriate, provided that it does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention as can be read from the claims and the specification as a whole, and an engine cover with such modifications is also included in the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1 Outboard motor 3 Engines 11 Engine cover 12 Left wall section 13 Right wall section 14 Front wall 15 Rear wall 16 Upper wall 17 Inner cover section 21 Outer cover section 29 Oil pan cover section 32 Underframe (First Frame) 33 Bottom plate part 34 Side plate part 37 Boss Section 41. Left side frame (third frame) 42 Right side frame (4th frame) 43 Upper frame (second frame) 161 Upper seal member (seal member)

Claims

1. An engine cover that covers the engine of an outboard motor, The left wall portion covering the left side of the engine, The right wall portion covering the right side of the engine, The front wall portion covering the front of the engine, A rear wall portion covering the rear surface of the engine, The engine comprises an upper wall portion that covers the upper surface of the engine, The engine cover is characterized in that the upper wall portion is detachably connected to the portion of the engine cover that includes the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion.

2. A first frame extending along the lower edge of the left wall, the lower edge of the rear wall, and the lower edge of the right wall, A second frame extending along the outer edge of the upper wall portion, A third frame having one end connected to the left side of the first frame and the other end connected to the left side of the second frame, The frame comprises a fourth frame, one end of which is connected to the right side of the first frame and the other end of which is connected to the right side of the second frame, The engine cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the left wall portion is fixed to the first frame and the third frame, and the right wall portion is fixed to the first frame and the fourth frame.

3. The engine cover according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper wall portion is detachably attached to the second frame.

4. The system includes a sealing member that seals the boundary between each of the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion and the upper wall portion, The engine cover according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing member extends along the second frame.

5. The engine cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper wall portion comprises an inner cover portion and an outer cover portion that covers the inner cover portion from above, and is formed by connecting the inner cover portion and the outer cover portion to each other.

6. The engine cover according to claim 2, wherein the first frame has a bottom plate portion that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions, and a side plate portion that extends upward from the outer edge portion of the bottom plate portion, and a boss portion is provided at the corner where the left portion of the bottom plate portion and the left portion of the side plate portion intersect to connect the end of the third frame to the first frame, and a boss portion is provided at the corner where the right portion of the bottom plate portion and the right portion of the side plate portion intersect to connect the end of the fourth frame to the first frame.

Images