Outboard Motor Upper Mount Relocation for Transmission Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard motors face complexities in assembly and maintenance due to the narrow upper casing and the need for separate insertion of the transmission, which complicates the structure and requires detachment from the hull for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The outboard motor design features upper mounts on lateral surfaces of the upper casing, allowing the motor to remain connected to the hull during maintenance, with a wider top surface opening for easy transmission insertion and a divider to separate the upper casing into accessible front and rear chambers, simplifying assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the two upper mounts are disposed on the mounting plate provided above the upper casing while having a short distance therebetween, then the mounting plate can be compact, but the upper section of the upper casing becomes narrow in width, preventing the transmission from being inserted from above
Solution Approach 1:
The upper mounts are relocated from the mounting plate to the lateral outer surface of the upper casing, changing the spatial arrangement from a top-down configuration to a side-mounted configuration. This dimensional shift allows the upper casing to maintain sufficient width for transmission insertion from above while keeping the mounting plate compact.
2Device complexity
If the upper section of the upper casing is narrowed to accommodate close-mounted upper mounts, then the mounting structure becomes compact, but the transmission cannot be inserted from above, requiring separate insertion openings and complicating assembly
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the upper mounts to the lateral surface of the upper casing rather than positioning them on the mounting plate, the design maintains a compact overall structure while preserving the width of the upper casing's top surface. This enables the transmission to be inserted from above through a single opening, eliminating the need for separate insertion openings and simplifying assembly procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper mounts and lower mounts are disposed on different members, then the mounting structure is stable, but the outboard motor must be detached from the hull to access the transmission for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The upper casing is divided into front and rear chambers by a partition wall, with the transmission located in the front chamber. This segmentation allows the transmission to be accessed and removed independently from the engine in the rear chamber, enabling maintenance work to be performed with the outboard motor still attached to the hull.
4Strength
If through bolts are used to secure the engine and mounting plate to the upper casing, then the structure is strong, but the positions are fixed according to the engine exterior shape, making it difficult to enlarge the upper casing
Solution Approach 1:
The upper mounts on the lateral surface of the upper casing serve dual functions: they provide structural support for mounting the outboard motor to the hull, and they define the boundary that allows the upper casing to be enlarged. This universal mounting approach decouples the fastening positions from the engine exterior shape, enabling greater design flexibility for the upper casing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an outboard motor, comprising: an upper casing; a lower casing by which a propeller shaft is pivotally supported, the lower casing being positioned below the upper casing; a mounting plate to which an engine is mounted, the mounting plate being positioned above the upper casing; and at least one upper mount and at least one lower mount being configured to mount the outboard motor to a hull, wherein at least the upper mount is disposed on a lateral surface of the upper casing.