Copilot Device Friction Locking Marine Drive Swivel Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine drive support systems for vessels lack an efficient mechanism to securely lock and unlock the steering orientation of the outboard motor, leading to potential instability and increased noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) during operation.

Innovation Solution

A novel copilot device is introduced, which applies diametrically opposing pushing and pulling forces on the swivel tube to frictionally restrain its rotation within the swivel cylinder, thereby securely locking the steering orientation. This device enhances the resistance to steering and maintains the center alignment of the steering tube, reducing NVH.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a marine drive support system lacks an efficient locking mechanism for steering orientation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability and operational stability deteriorate due to potential instability and increased NVH

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidsteering orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a friction-based restraint system. The copilot device uses friction between the swivel tube and swivel cylinder to maintain steering orientation, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical locks while improving reliability and reducing NVH during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If diametrically opposing pushing and pulling forces are applied to the swivel tube to frictionally restrain rotation, then the reliability and steering position locking improve, but the device complexity increases due to the copilot device structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteering position lockingVSAvoidcopilot device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The copilot device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single integrated structure: it applies diametrically opposing forces to the swivel tube, provides frictional restraint against rotation, maintains center alignment, and reduces NVH. This multi-functionality achieves reliable steering position locking without proportionally increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If frictional restraint is applied to the swivel tube to lock steering positions, then the operational stability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased resistance to steering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidsteering operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frictional restraint system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The copilot device applies friction forces that stabilize the steering position during operation while allowing intentional steering inputs to overcome this friction when needed, thus maintaining both operational stability and ease of operation through adaptive force application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the copilot device maintains center alignment of the steering tube, then the NVH reduces and reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to the alignment mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise vibration and harshnessVSAvoidalignment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the center alignment function with the frictional restraint mechanism in the copilot device. The same diametrically opposing forces that provide frictional restraint also maintain center alignment of the swivel tube, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while decreasing NVH

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The copilot device effectively locks the outboard motor in desired steering positions, reducing noise, vibration, and harshness while maintaining the alignment of the steering tube, thus enhancing the operational stability and longevity of the marine drive system.

Implementation Method 1

The copilot device is configured to frictionally restrain rotation of the swivel tube in the swivel cylinder by applying diametrically opposing pushing and pulling forces on the swivel tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12214851B1Copilot devices and apparatuses for supporting marine drives having a copilot device

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

An apparatus is for supporting a marine drive on a marine vessel. The apparatus has a transom bracket comprising a swivel cylinder and a steering bracket configured to couple the marine drive to the transom bracket, the steering bracket comprising a steering arm and a swivel tube seated in the swivel cylinder, wherein steering of the steering arm relative to the transom bracket rotates the swivel tube in the swivel cylinder and thereby steers the marine drive. A copilot device is configured to frictionally restrain rotation of the swivel tube in the swivel cylinder by applying diametrically opposing pushing and pulling forces on the swivel tube.