Electric Outboard Motor Gear Deceleration Device Vertical Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric outboard motors are bulky, heavy, and require significant force to operate due to offset components and increased intervals between the rudder and swivel unit, making them difficult to tilt and steer efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The electric outboard motor design positions the gear deceleration device below the swivel unit, allowing for a more compact upper unit and reducing the offset between the rudder's lifting force center and the swivel unit, with an integrated gear case and motor housing to minimize components and weight, and enabling easier maintenance by separating the lower unit from the upper unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gear deceleration device, electric motor and drive shaft are offset rearwards to avoid the swivel unit, then the components do not interfere with the swivel unit, but the middle unit is enlarged and the number of components and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gear deceleration device is repositioned from a rearward offset arrangement to a downward arrangement below the swivel unit. This spatial reconfiguration in the vertical dimension allows the components to overlap in the front-rear direction without physical interference, eliminating the need for rearward offset and reducing the middle unit's length
2Ease of manufacture
If the lower case functioning as a rudder is offset rearwards with respect to the swivel unit, then the gear deceleration device can be arranged, but the interval between the rudder's lifting force center and swivel unit increases, requiring large force to operate the rudder
Solution Approach 1:
The lower case is repositioned from a rearward offset arrangement to a downward arrangement below the swivel unit. This vertical reconfiguration reduces the front-rear interval between the rudder's lifting force center and the swivel unit, thereby reducing the force required to operate the rudder while still accommodating the gear deceleration device
3Ease of manufacture
If the electric motor is offset rearwards from the swivel unit, then the gear deceleration device can be arranged, but the interval between the electric motor and swivel unit increases, making tilt operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is repositioned from a rearward offset arrangement to a downward arrangement below the swivel unit. This vertical reconfiguration reduces the front-rear interval between the electric motor and the swivel unit, bringing the heavy motor closer to the pivot point and thereby reducing the force required for tilt operation while still accommodating the gear deceleration device
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 reduces the size, weight, and steering load, improving operability by bringing the electric motor closer to the swivel unit and allowing easier tilt operations while maintaining durability and stiffness.
Implementation Method 1
a gear deceleration device configured to couple an output shaft of the electric motor and a drive shaft extending in an upward and downward direction to each other
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an electric outboard motor. An upper unit is provided to be rotatable in a horizontal direction about a swivel unit. A lower unit is provided below the upper unit and configured to function as a rudder. The upper unit comprises an electric motor supported by a rear side of the swivel unit via a mount unit. The upper unit or lower unit has a gear deceleration device configured to couple an output shaft of the electric motor and a drive shaft extending in an upward and downward direction to each other. The drive shaft is coupled to the gear deceleration device in front of the output shaft of the electric motor and configured to transmit an output of the electric motor to a propeller provided in the lower unit.