Marine Drive Seal Device for Water and Noise Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine drive support apparatuses have a fore-aft gap between the transom bracket and supporting cradle, allowing water and noise to pass through, which compromises the quiet operation and functionality of the marine drive.
Innovation Solution
A seal device with an elongated base and multiple sealing lips, supported by ribs, is positioned between the transom bracket and the supporting cradle to block sound and water ingress through the fore-aft gap, maintaining a seal throughout various trim positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fore-aft gap is maintained between the transom bracket and supporting cradle, then the marine drive can be trimmed through a range of positions, but water and noise can pass through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
A seal device comprising a seal member positioned within the fore-aft gap between the transom bracket and supporting cradle. The seal member includes a resilient body that flexes to maintain sealing contact, blocking water and noise passage while allowing the marine drive to trim through its full range of positions from fully tucked to fully trimmed.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed with resilient material properties that allow it to dynamically adapt its shape and position as the marine drive trims. The seal member flexes and deforms to maintain effective sealing contact throughout the entire trim range, accommodating the relative motion between the transom bracket and supporting cradle while continuously blocking harmful factors.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the seal device blocks the fore-aft gap, then water and noise passage is prevented, but the seal must maintain effectiveness throughout the trim range
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is constructed as a resilient, flexible component that can deform to maintain sealing contact. This flexible membrane-like structure effectively blocks water and noise passage while accommodating the dynamic motion of trimming, providing a relatively simple yet effective solution to the sealing challenge.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient seal member automatically adjusts its own position and shape in response to the trim motion, maintaining effective sealing contact without requiring external control mechanisms. The self-adjusting nature of the resilient material provides continuous sealing effectiveness throughout the trim range while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is for supporting a marine drive relative to a marine vessel. The apparatus has a transom bracket for fixed attachment to the marine vessel; a supporting cradle for supporting a powerhead of the marine drive, the supporting cradle being pivotable relative to the transom bracket such that the marine drive is trimmable up and down relative to the marine vessel; and a seal device disposed between the transom bracket and supporting cradle, the seal device blocking sound and water passage through a fore-aft gap between the transom bracket and supporting cradle. The marine drive is trimmable through a range of trim positions including a fully tucked position and a fully trimmed position and the seal device blocks the sound and water ingress throughout the range of trim positions.