Outboard Motor Coupling Damper for Shift Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outboard motor designs experience shift shock and rattling noise due to inefficient absorption of rotational speed changes and torque variations by the elastic buffer, leading to suboptimal suppression of these issues.
Innovation Solution
The outboard motor incorporates a coupling system with a damper that includes a rotary body and a dog clutch, where the elastic portion is strategically placed between the first and second claws, allowing for effective compression and deformation to absorb shift shocks and rotational speed changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic buffer is designed with a large volume to improve shock absorption, then the absorption of shift shocks and rotational speed changes is improved, but the device complexity and volume of the elastic components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the elastic portion specifically between the first and second claws where it can most effectively absorb shock. This localized placement ensures that the elastic component performs its shock absorption function at the critical interface without requiring excessive volume throughout the entire buffer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by designing the elastic portion to undergo controlled elastic deformation in response to torque variations and rotational speed changes. By optimizing the elastic properties and dimensional parameters of the positioned elastic portion, the buffer achieves effective shock absorption with reduced overall volume.
2Volume of moving object
If the elastic buffer is designed with a small volume to reduce device complexity, then the volume of elastic components is reduced, but the absorption of shift shocks and rotational speed changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent concentrates the shock absorption function in a localized region between the first and second claws, where the elastic portion is strategically positioned to maximize its effect. This localized quality approach allows the buffer to achieve effective shock absorption with a compact, small-volume elastic component rather than requiring a large-volume distributed structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion is pre-positioned between the first and second claws in a ready state, allowing it to immediately respond to torque variations and rotational speed changes. This preliminary positioning ensures that the shock absorption action occurs at the optimal location and timing, maximizing the effectiveness of the reduced-volume elastic component.
3Reliability
If the elastic portion is positioned between the first and second claws for efficient shock absorption, then the absorption of shift shocks is improved, but the device complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves effective shock absorption by positioning the elastic portion at the specific local region between the first and second claws. This localized positioning concentrates the shock absorption function where it is most needed, and the design integrates this positioning into the overall buffer structure to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion is designed to automatically position itself between the first and second claws through the natural assembly process, utilizing the existing structural features of the buffer. This self-positioning capability reduces the need for complex external positioning mechanisms, thereby minimizing device complexity while achieving the required precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the dog clutch and rotary body are designed to engage and disengage for shift operation, then the adaptability of the transmission system is improved, but shift shock and rattling noise occur due to repeated contact and separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the elastic buffer as an intermediary element between the dog clutch and rotary body. This elastic intermediary absorbs the shock and vibration generated during engagement and disengagement operations, thereby reducing shift shock and rattling noise while preserving the adaptability of the transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion is positioned in advance between the first and second claws to provide cushioning before the dog clutch engages or disengages. This beforehand cushioning prepares the system to absorb the impending shock and vibration, reducing the harmful effects of repeated contact and separation during shift operations.
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 design enhances the absorption of shift shocks and reduces rattling noise by ensuring most of the elastic portion contributes to shock absorption, while also allowing for efficient torque transmission and reduced volume of the elastic components.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic portion is strategically placed between the first and second claws, allowing for effective compression and deformation to absorb shift shocks and rotational speed changes
Data Source
AI summary
An outboard motor includes a drive shaft, a coupling to connect a first shaft and a second shaft of the drive shaft together, and a transmission including a dog clutch to transmit a rotation of the drive shaft to a propeller shaft. The coupling includes a first portion attached to the first shaft, a second portion attached to the second shaft, and a damper. The first portion includes first claws arranged along a rotation direction of the drive shaft. The second portion includes second claws between adjacent ones of the first claws in the rotation direction. The damper includes an elastic portion interposed between adjacent ones of the first claws and the second claws in the rotation direction.