Outboard Motor Hook Assembly Counterweight Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for fixing the bottom cowling and top cowling of an outboard motor using a hook member are prone to disengagement when an obstacle collides with the motor during boat travel, requiring excessive power to operate and reducing operability.
Innovation Solution
A hook assembly with a rotation shaft, hook member, lever, and rotation regulating member, where the rotation regulating member, such as a weight or protrusions, aligns the center of gravity to prevent rotation and disengagement, and a tension coil spring provides a small biasing force to maintain engagement without compromising operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a biasing member is provided to urge the hook member in the engaged state, then the reliability of engagement is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to excessive power requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning the center of gravity of the hook assembly on the engagement side of the rotation shaft. This gravitational counterbalance creates a natural tendency for the hook member to remain engaged, providing reliability without requiring an additional biasing member that would increase operating force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential state by aligning the center of gravity such that the gravitational potential energy is minimized when the hook member is engaged. This ensures that the engaged state is naturally stable and maintained without additional energy input or complex biasing mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a biasing member is provided to prevent disengagement, then the stability of engagement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for additional biasing members by strategically positioning the center of gravity of existing components (hook member, lever, rotation shaft) to create gravitational stability. This reduces device complexity while maintaining engagement stability through the counterweight effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook assembly serves itself by using its own weight and gravitational force to maintain engagement stability. The center of gravity is positioned such that the assembly's own mass provides the stabilizing force, eliminating the need for separate biasing members or complex control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the center of gravity is positioned on the engagement side, then the reliability of engagement is improved, but the weight distribution changes affecting operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the center of gravity on the engagement side to create a counterweight effect that naturally maintains engagement. This weight distribution creates gravitational torque that opposes disengagement forces, improving reliability without requiring additional weight or components.
Solution Approach 2:
By positioning the center of gravity to create an equipotential state where gravitational potential energy is minimized in the engaged position, the patent ensures stable engagement. The weight distribution is optimized so that the gravitational field works in favor of maintaining engagement rather than opposing it.
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
The hook assembly effectively prevents disengagement of the top and bottom cowling even when obstacles collide, ensuring high operability and maintaining engagement without the need for excessive power, thus enhancing the stability and usability of the outboard motor.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, and a hook assembly which engages with the engaged member to mutually fix the first housing and the second housing together
Implementation Method 2
The rotation regulating member regulates the rotation of the hook member in the second rotation direction when the hook member and the engaged member are engaged with one another
Data Source
AI summary
A hook assembly is arranged to engage with an engaged member to fix a first housing to a second housing of an outboard motor. The hook assembly includes a rotation shaft, a hook member, a lever, and a weight. The rotation shaft is rotatably mounted on the first housing. A recessed portion is provided in the hook member. The recessed portion is arranged to open in first rotation direction. The recessed portion engages with the engaged member. The lever extends from the rotation shaft in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction of the recessed portion. The weight regulates the rotation of the hook member in the second rotation direction when the hook member and the engaged member are engaged together. The arrangement provides a highly-operable hook assembly for the outboard motor that prevents disengagement even when an obstacle collides with the outboard motor during traveling of a boat.