Outboard Motor Capacitor Power Smoothing for Hull Space Savings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional marine propulsion systems, outboard motors, and marine vessels require significant space on the hull for batteries and voltage sensing relays to stabilize and limit power output, which is inefficient and occupies valuable space.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a capacitor in the outboard motor to smooth power generated by the generator and a power distributor to limit output to the hull, eliminating the need for a hull-mounted battery and voltage sensing relay, and utilizing a DC-DC converter to adjust voltage levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a battery and voltage sensing relay are provided in the hull to stabilize and limit power output, then power stability and protection are improved, but the space occupied in the hull increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower stabilityVSAvoidhull space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power stabilization function from the hull-mounted battery system and relocates it to a capacitor integrated into the outboard motor. The capacitor is connected to the generator output and actively stabilizes voltage fluctuations at the source, eliminating the need for a separate hull-mounted battery and voltage sensing relay while maintaining power stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor serves as an intermediary component between the generator and the hull electrical systems. It mediates power fluctuations by absorbing voltage spikes and supplying power during dips, providing stable output to hull devices without requiring additional protective relays in the hull.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If a capacitor is integrated in the outboard motor to smooth power, then hull space is freed up, but the complexity of the outboard motor increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehull spaceVSAvoidoutboard motor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power stabilization function with the outboard motor's existing electrical system by integrating the capacitor into the motor housing. The capacitor is electrically connected to the generator output terminals and controlled by the motor's existing control unit, combining multiple functions (power generation, storage, and stabilization) into a single integrated system rather than adding separate hull-mounted components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the capacitor stores power for hull devices, then power supply capability is improved, but the risk of overload and power loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply capabilityVSAvoidoverload risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the capacitor's charge state and the electrical load demands from hull devices. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the capacitor's discharge rate and limits power output when overload conditions are detected, preventing power loss and protecting the capacitor while maintaining adequate power supply capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the capacitor's power output based on real-time operating conditions. The control unit modulates the capacitor's discharge characteristics according to load requirements and charge state, transitioning between different power delivery modes to optimize both power supply capability and protection against overload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 frees up hull space, effectively protects capacitor power, and enhances engine starting reliability while reducing the burden on hull-mounted batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor provided in the outboard motor to smooth the power generated by the generator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a DC-DC converter to adjust voltage levels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy transformation:

Data Source

PatentUS12448101B2Marine propulsion system, outboard motor, and marine vessel

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A marine propulsion system includes an outboard motor installed on a hull and including an engine to drive a propulsion generator, and a generator to generate power by driving of the engine, a capacitor provided in the outboard motor to smooth the power generated by the generator and output the smoothed power to a device on a hull side, and a power distributor provided in the outboard motor to limit an output from the capacitor to the device on the hull side.