Integrated Oil Sump Housing for Compact Outboard Motor Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard motors require complex multipart assemblies to house transmissions and cool engine oil, leading to higher operating temperatures and space constraints due to the need for multiple components for oil collection and cooling.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional oil sump housing assembly that integrates oil containment and transmission mounting functions into a single component, featuring an upper and lower mounting flange, inner and outer housing walls, and an integrated cooling system with sprayer assemblies to direct cooling water flow for efficient temperature reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional multipart assemblies are used to house transmissions and cool engine oil, then reliable oil containment and transmission mounting are achieved, but the number of parts increases and package size expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the oil sump housing and transmission housing into a single integrated oil sump assembly. The housing includes an oil containment cavity for storing oil and a transmission mounting cavity for securing the transmission, eliminating the need for separate oil sump and transmission housing components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining reliable oil containment and transmission mounting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The oil sump housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains and stores engine oil in the oil containment cavity, provides mounting structure for the transmission in the transmission mounting cavity, and supports the cooling system with integrally formed cooling water jetting nozzles. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the outboard motor assembly.
2Temperature
If conventional multipart assemblies are used to house transmissions and cool engine oil, then adequate cooling coverage is achieved, but package size increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is integrated into the oil sump assembly by forming cooling water jetting nozzles directly on the housing. These nozzles are positioned to spray cooling water onto the outer surface of the housing, providing efficient cooling of the oil and transmission without requiring separate cooling components. This integration reduces package size while maintaining adequate cooling coverage.
3Temperature
If multiple components are used for oil collection and cooling, then effective temperature reduction is achieved, but the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a single integrated component that combines oil containment, transmission mounting, and cooling functions. The cooling water jetting nozzles are integrally formed on the housing, eliminating the need for separate cooling system components and simplifying the overall design while maintaining effective temperature reduction for both engine oil and transmission oil.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional separate housings are used for transmission and oil sump, then adequate space for both functions is provided, but the overall assembly size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mounting cavity is positioned within the overall housing structure, with the transmission mounted inside the housing and surrounded by the oil containment cavity. This nested arrangement allows both the transmission and oil sump functions to coexist within a compact integrated assembly, reducing the overall volume compared to separate housings while providing adequate space for both functions.
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
This solution reduces the number of parts and package size, simplifying the outboard motor design while effectively lowering engine and transmission oil temperatures for improved performance and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling water sprayer that is configured to spray a flow of cooling water radially outwardly toward an inner diameter of the exhaust manifold
Implementation Method 2
A cooling fluid sprayer sprays cooling fluid onto an outer surface of the housing to thereby cool the housing and the fuel in the fuel cavity
Implementation Method 3
a cooling system for an out drive of a stern drive device that draws water from a body of water in which a marine vessel is operated and conducts the water through a conduit to an outlet end that is configured to direct a stream of water into a space which is defined under a removably attachable cover and above a surface of a heat producing portion of the out drive
Implementation Method 4
The cover contains a turbulently flowing stream of water in the space in order to more efficiently conduct the water in thermal communication with the outer surface of the heat producing portion
Data Source
AI summary
An oil sump housing for an outboard motor of a marine vessel is provided. The oil sump housing includes an upper mounting flange including multiple upper mounting holes, a lower mounting flange including multiple lower mounting holes, and an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall extending between the upper mounting flange and the lower mounting flange. The inner housing wall defines a transmission mounting cavity, and the inner housing wall and the outer housing wall define an oil containment cavity that at least partially surrounds the transmission mounting cavity.