Marine Drive Steering-Arm Retainer for Flexible Rigging Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigging connectors in marine drives, such as hoses, wires, and cables, are prone to bending and abrasion due to repetitive movement when the marine drive is steered, leading to damage and affecting the styling and convenience of the system.
Innovation Solution
A retainer is integrated onto the steering arm of the marine drive to clamp and frictionally engage flexible rigging connectors, preventing axial movement and maintaining their position during steering, thereby reducing damage and improving system aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible rigging connectors are allowed to move freely during steering operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the connectors are prone to bending and abrasion damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rigging connector system is segmented into multiple sections with flexible joints, allowing each segment to move independently during steering while maintaining overall connector integrity and reducing stress concentration on any single point
Solution Approach 2:
A protective conduit or routing structure acts as an intermediary between the rigging connectors and the steering movement, guiding the connectors through a protected path that reduces direct exposure to bending and abrasion while still allowing steering operation
2Reliability
If rigid protection is provided for rigging connectors, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible protective conduit or sheath is used to enclose the rigging connectors, providing protection against abrasion and environmental factors while maintaining flexibility to accommodate steering movement without requiring complex rigid protective structures
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is merged with the existing steering arm structure by integrating the rigging connector retention directly into the steering arm, eliminating the need for separate protective housings or complex mounting structures
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 retainer effectively prevents rigging connector damage by stabilizing their position, enhancing durability and maintaining the marine drive's appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A retainer is integrated onto the steering arm of the marine drive to clamp and frictionally engage flexible rigging connectors, preventing axial movement
Data Source
AI summary
A marine drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The marine drive has a cowling defining a cowling interior, a steering arm extending forwardly from the marine drive, the steering arm configured for steering of the marine drive about a steering axis, a flexible rigging connector extending forwardly from the cowling interior to a location in the marine vessel, and a retainer on the steering arm which retains the flexible rigging connector in position relative to the steering arm such that steering of the marine drive about the steering axis also steers the retainer and the flexible rigging connector about the steering axis.