Outboard Cowl Mounting System Stabilizer Fulcrums

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outboard marine drives face challenges with the dislodgement of the upper cowl during impact-strikes, such as log-strikes, due to dislodgement force vectors, and alignment issues during assembly due to the bulky nature of the cowl.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of stabilizer fulcrums between the front and rear mounts, which preload the upper cowl to maintain stability and secure it against dislodgement forces, and a unique configuration of hooks and retainers that engage with the lower cowl to counteract dislodgement forces, combined with alignment guides for easier assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the upper cowl is made as a large bulky member to cover the powerhead, then the coverage and protection are improved, but the alignment during assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of upper cowlVSAvoidalignment during assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment guides are provided on the lower cowl before the upper cowl is installed. These guides pre-establish the correct alignment position, allowing the bulky upper cowl to be easily aligned during assembly by simply engaging with the pre-positioned guides, thereby solving the alignment difficulty without reducing the cowl's coverage area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment guides act as intermediary elements between the lower cowl and the bulky upper cowl. These guides facilitate the alignment process by providing physical reference surfaces that the upper cowl engages with, making assembly easier while maintaining the large coverage area of the upper cowl

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the upper cowl is secured with front and rear mounts, then the mounting stability is improved, but the cowl can still be dislodged during impact-strike

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stability of upper cowlVSAvoidresistance to dislodgement during impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Stabilizer fulcrums are provided between the front and rear mounts to preemptively counteract dislodgement forces. These fulcrums create a stable triangular support structure that prevents the upper cowl from being dislodged during impact-strike, adding redundancy to the mounting system without compromising the existing front and rear mount configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizer fulcrums provide beforehand support that cushions against impact-strike forces. By positioning these fulcrums between the front and rear mounts, the system pre-prepares a support structure that absorbs and distributes impact forces, preventing dislodgement before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9216805B1Cowl mounting system for outboard marine drive

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 BRUNSWICK CORP

AI summary

A cowl mounting system includes one or more stabilizer fulcrums spaced between front and rear cowl mounts and preloading the cowl to provide cowl stability in the mounted condition. The stabilizer fulcrums also provide port and starboard alignment guides during assembly.