Marine Drive Unit Pivot Brake for Up-Tilt Position Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine propulsion systems face issues with the drive unit losing its intended position when up-tilted, due to pressure drops or mechanical failures, leading to unintended lowering of the drive unit.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system with a brake device integrated into the pivot joint of the drive unit, which maintains the drive unit's position independently of the actuator's state, ensuring stability even during pressure drops or mechanical failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit is up-tilted to a storage position, then the risk for fouling on the drive unit and propellers is minimised, but the drive unit may unintendedly lower due to pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is activated in advance to counteract the harmful effect of unintended lowering. When the drive unit is tilted up to the storage position, the brake device is preliminarily engaged to prevent the pressure drop from causing the drive unit to lower, thus applying anti-action before the harmful effect can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic system and the drive unit. It mediates the connection by providing a mechanical locking function that is independent of the hydraulic actuator, thus preventing the drive unit from lowering when hydraulic pressure drops.
2Reliability
If a mechanical locking system is used to maintain drive unit position, then reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is merged with the existing pivot joint structure of the drive unit. By integrating the brake mechanism into the pivot joint, the patent combines the positioning function with the structural support function, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device serves multiple functions: it maintains the drive unit in the up-tilted storage position, provides mechanical locking during pressure drops, and integrates with the pivot joint structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Volume of moving object
If the brake device is arranged in connection with the pivot joint, then system compactness is improved, but the brake device must handle higher mechanical loads
Solution Approach 1:
The brake device is preliminarily designed and positioned at the pivot joint to handle the mechanical loads before they can cause damage. By pre-positioning the brake device at the structural pivot point, the system maintains compactness while ensuring the brake device is prepared to handle the maximum mechanical loads that occur during operation.
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 brake device effectively maintains the drive unit's position, preventing unintended lowering and enhancing the system's reliability and compactness, while allowing for efficient up-tilting and storage operations.
Implementation Method 1
the brake device is configured to maintain the drive unit in position independently of a state of the actuator
Implementation Method 2
the brake device comprises a cone brake unit... the cone brake unit comprises a plurality of compression springs arranged around the cone
Implementation Method 3
a hydraulic unit and/or a pneumatic unit providing pressure to the actuator and/or to the brake device
Implementation Method 4
a hydraulic unit and/or a pneumatic unit providing pressure to the actuator and/or to the brake device
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion system for a marine vessel has a transom bracket to be connected with a transom of the marine vessel. A drive unit is rotatably connected with the transom bracket so as to be pivotable from a lowered position into a raised position, or vice versa, around a pivot joint. An actuator is configured to move the drive unit around the pivot joint, wherein a brake device is arranged in connection with the pivot joint. The brake device is configured to maintain the drive unit in position independently of a state of the actuator.