Outboard Engine Connection Box for Line Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of marine outboard engines on watercraft is time-consuming and prone to errors, with lines often being improperly routed, leading to potential damage from heat sources and complicating maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a box on the watercraft where lines from the watercraft devices connect to corresponding lines from the outboard engine devices inside the box, simplifying the routing and connection process by centralizing these connections in an easily accessible location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lines are routed directly from watercraft devices to outboard engine devices inside the cowling, then connections are established, but installation becomes time-consuming and lines may be improperly routed near heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
A connection box is introduced as an intermediary component between the watercraft and the outboard engine. The box contains connectors that receive lines from the watercraft and connect them to corresponding lines from the outboard engine, eliminating the need to route lines through the engine cowling. This intermediary structure ensures proper line routing away from heat sources while simplifying the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into three distinct parts: (1) lines and connectors in the watercraft, (2) the connection box as a separate intermediary unit, and (3) lines inside the outboard engine. This segmentation allows the connection box to be positioned away from heat-generating engine components while maintaining all necessary connections.
2Ease of repair
If lines are routed through the engine cowling to connect devices, then connections are established, but maintenance becomes difficult when the outboard engine needs to be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection box serves as a mediator that decouples the watercraft connection points from the outboard engine internal connections. During maintenance, the box remains on the watercraft with watercraft lines connected, while the outboard engine can be removed and reconnected by simply attaching its lines to the box, eliminating the need to work within the engine cowling.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection box is pre-configured with all necessary connectors and line routing during manufacturing. This preliminary setup ensures that during maintenance operations, no complex routing work is needed inside the cowling - the box is already prepared to receive and connect lines in the correct configuration.
3Ease of operation
If multiple lines are routed individually through the engine cowling, then each connection can be made, but the process becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual line routing operations are merged into a single centralized connection process at the box. All lines from the watercraft connect to the box in one location, and all lines from the outboard engine connect to the box in another location, combining multiple complex routing tasks into two simple connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection box acts as a mediator that standardizes the connection interface. It provides predetermined connection points with proper spacing and orientation, ensuring that lines are connected with high precision without requiring the installer to navigate the complex three-dimensional space inside the engine cowling.
Data Source
AI summary
An outboard engine has a cowling defining an engine compartment, an internal combustion engine disposed at least in part in the engine compartment, a driveshaft operatively connected to the internal combustion engine, and one of a propeller and an impeller operatively connected to the driveshaft. The one of the propeller and the impeller rotates about an axis that is angled relative to the driveshaft. A device is disposed inside the engine compartment. A box is disposed outside the engine compartment and is operatively connected to the engine compartment. A line has a portion disposed inside the box and an end operatively connected to the device. An outboard engine having a box disposed outside the engine compartment and operatively connected to the bracket is also disclosed. A watercraft having the outboard engine is also disclosed.