Marine Outboard Tilt Trim Bracket Roller Ramp Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine outboard engine bracket assemblies experience friction issues during tilt/trim operations, leading to wear on the swivel bracket and hydraulic linear actuators due to points of contact, which necessitates a solution for low friction at these interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bracket assembly with a linear actuator featuring a roller that abuts a ramp surface as it pivots, reducing friction by allowing the roller to roll along a curved surface, thereby minimizing contact and wear, and utilizing two linear actuators connected by a shaft with rollers to maintain alignment and reduce lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic linear actuators are mounted to the stern bracket with direct contact to the swivel bracket for trimming operations, then the actuator can effectively pivot the swivel bracket through trim angles, but friction occurs at the contact points leading to wear of the swivel bracket and actuator ends
Solution Approach 1:
A roller is introduced as an intermediary element between the linear actuator and the swivel bracket. The roller rotates on its contact surface with the swivel bracket while being pushed by the actuator, converting direct sliding friction into rolling motion. This intermediary component significantly reduces wear on both the swivel bracket and actuator ends while maintaining effective trim control.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface between the roller and the swivel bracket is designed with a curved profile that matches the arc of the swivel bracket's pivot motion. This curved surface allows the roller to maintain optimal contact throughout the trim range, distributing wear evenly and reducing friction compared to a flat contact surface.
2Ease of operation
If the points of contact between the hydraulic linear actuator ends and the swivel bracket are maintained over a range of trim angles, then the actuator can control the trim position, but the contact points move along the swivel bracket creating friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The roller serves as a mediator that travels along the curved surface of the swivel bracket while rotating. This converts the harmful sliding friction of the actuator ends moving directly on the bracket into beneficial rolling motion, maintaining trim control capability while eliminating wear from moving contact points.
3Device complexity
If a single linear actuator is used for trimming, then the device complexity is reduced, but lateral movement and misalignment may occur during pivot operations
Solution Approach 1:
Two linear actuators are combined and connected by a shaft, creating a synchronized dual-actuator system. This configuration provides lateral stability and prevents misalignment during pivot operations while maintaining relatively simple device complexity. The shaft ensures both actuators move in unison, improving operational stability.
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 configuration significantly reduces friction and wear, allowing for smoother and more precise tilt/trim operations while maintaining consistent trim speed and reducing side loading on the actuators, thus enhancing the durability and performance of the marine outboard engine system.
Implementation Method 1
The roller of the at least one linear actuator abuts a surface of the at least one ramp over at least a range of angles between the stern bracket and the swivel bracket as the swivel bracket pivots about the generally horizontal tilt/trim axis. The extension of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion of the at least one linear actuator within the range of angles causing the roller of the at least one linear actuator to roll along the surface of the at least one ramp
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket assembly for mounting a marine outboard engine to a watercraft has a stern bracket, a swivel bracket pivotally connected to the stern bracket about a generally horizontal tilt/trim axis, and at least one linear actuator connected to the swivel bracket. The at least one linear actuator includes a fixed portion connected to the swivel bracket, a movable portion being extendable and retractable linearly relative to the fixed portion, and a roller rotationally connected to the movable portion. At least one ramp is connected to the stern bracket. The roller of the at least one linear actuator abuts a surface of the at least one ramp over at least a range of angles between the stern bracket and the swivel bracket as the swivel bracket pivots about the generally horizontal tilt/trim axis. A marine outboard engine having the bracket assembly is also disclosed.