EPDM Rubber Outboard Motor Support with Notches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supporting outboard motors during ground transport and storage are unsafe, inconvenient, and can damage boats or motors due to uneven weight distribution and the need for users to bend over, leading to increased risk of injury and damage from vibrations and pressure points.
Innovation Solution
A device with a substantially rectangular body made of EPDM rubber, featuring notches to securely fit around the outboard motor and mounting bracket, and a tether for easy attachment to the boat, allowing for even weight distribution and upright placement, reducing vibrations and the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic systems are used to support the outboard motor, then the motor can be held away from the transom, but the system becomes complex and requires additional components that may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hydraulic system entirely and replaces it with a simple mechanical support device consisting of a cushion and notches. This extraction of the complex hydraulic mechanism while retaining the essential support function directly resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device uses a simple, inexpensive cushion that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than a complex hydraulic system. This simple mechanical solution is more reliable in practice and much easier to maintain or replace, addressing both reliability and complexity concerns.
2Device complexity
If the outboard motor is supported directly on the transom, then the support system is simple, but uneven weight distribution causes damage to the boat and motor
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion incorporates notches at specific locations that correspond to the motor mounting points and transom features. This localized structural modification distributes the weight evenly across multiple contact points rather than concentrating it in one area, preventing damage while keeping the device simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion material itself provides cushioning between the motor and transom before any potential damage can occur. This pre-positioned protective element prevents uneven weight distribution and concentrates force appropriately, eliminating the harmful effects of direct contact while adding minimal complexity.
3Device complexity
If users bend over to install or remove the support device, then the device is simple to construct, but the risk of injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether attachment system allows the device to be secured from a standing position by reaching up to attach the tether to the transom or motor, rather than bending over to manipulate the device directly. This dimensional change in the installation approach maintains construction simplicity while dramatically improving safety and ease of operation.
4Device complexity
If the outboard motor is allowed to vibrate during ground transport, then the support system is simple, but vibrations cause damage to the boat and motor
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion material is positioned between the motor and transom before transport begins, providing vibration damping and shock absorption from the outset. This pre-positioned cushioning reduces vibrations during ground transport without adding complex active damping systems, maintaining simplicity while protecting against vibration damage.
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 device ensures safer and more convenient handling by distributing the motor's weight evenly, reducing the risk of damage and injury, while allowing for easy removal and installation without bending, thus enhancing user safety and the longevity of the boat and motor.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a substantially rectangular body made of EPDM rubber, featuring notches to securely fit around the outboard motor and mounting bracket
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are various devices for the support of an outboard motor. The device having a body with a plurality of notches shaped to couple various pieces of the boat, outboard motor, and/or mounting bracket.