Outboard Motor Neutral Adjusting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outboard motor shift mechanisms with electric actuators face challenges in accurately adjusting the neutral position, particularly due to component errors and assembly variations, making it difficult to confirm the neutral position during power-up and requiring easy and certain adjustment during factory shipment and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A separate neutral adjusting mechanism is introduced, comprising an electric actuator that linearly moves a movable portion and a switching means, allowing for adjustment of the neutral position using adjustable jigs, enabling easy retrofitting and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a detection switch for detecting the neutral position is installed in the shift mechanism, then the neutral position can be detected, but component error and assembly variation still prevent accurate neutral positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the shift mechanism and the neutral adjusting mechanism into independent parts. The adjusting mechanism can be independently adjusted to compensate for component errors and assembly variations in the shift mechanism, allowing accurate neutral positioning despite manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The neutral adjusting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the shift mechanism and the neutral position detection system. It provides an additional adjustment degree of freedom that compensates for errors in the shift mechanism, enabling accurate neutral positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If the neutral adjusting mechanism is integrated into the shift mechanism, then the structure is compact, but adjustment is difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into a shift mechanism and a separate neutral adjusting mechanism, the invention simplifies the adjustment process. The separate adjusting mechanism can be independently accessed and adjusted without affecting the shift mechanism, making maintenance and adjustment easier despite adding a component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If outboard motors without neutral adjusting mechanism are to be retrofitted, then existing systems can be upgraded, but integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The neutral adjusting mechanism is designed as a universal component that can be applied to various outboard motor models. The standardized design with mounting brackets and adjustment mechanisms allows easy retrofitting to different systems without requiring model-specific customization.
Data Source
AI summary
A shift mechanism configuring an outboard motor comprises: an electric actuator that linearly moves a movable rod; and a shift shaft portion that switches from neutral to forward or reverse based on displacement of said movable rod. Moreover, a neutral adjusting mechanism enabling a neutral position of the shift mechanism to be adjusted is provided facing the shift shaft portion, by a separate body. The neutral adjusting mechanism, which comprises first and second adjusting arms that are supported in a freely rotating manner with respect to a frame and that have been biased in contrary directions to each other by elastic springing force of a coil spring, is provided in a manner that an adjusting screw mounted in the first adjusting arm capable of abutting on a shift arm always abuts on a contacting wall of the second adjusting arm capable of contacting a switch sensor.