Outboard Motor Steering Mechanism Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard motor designs face challenges in steering mechanism layout, requiring increased space and cowl size or motor relocation when tilted, due to the need for a hydraulic cylinder between the transom bracket and cowl, which limits device placement and increases the motor's hull intrusion.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a swivel bracket and movable body that rotates around a tilt axis, allowing the steering shaft to move within the clamp bracket's inner surface, reducing the need for additional space between the clamp brackets and cowl, and includes a support shaft and damper to enhance steering angle and reduce structural requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering cylinder is disposed above the transom bracket and below the cowl, then the hydraulic cylinder does not need to move to the front side of the transom, but the cowl needs to be downsized or the entire outboard motor needs to be moved upward
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body is positioned inside the clamp bracket's inner circumferential space rather than between the transom bracket and cowl, utilizing the lateral dimension within the clamp bracket to accommodate the steering mechanism, thereby eliminating the need to reduce cowl size or move the motor upward
2Ease of operation
If the entire outboard motor is moved upward, then the steering cylinder can be disposed above the transom bracket, but a larger space needs to be secured inside the hull
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body operates within the lateral space defined by the clamp bracket's inner circumferential surface rather than requiring vertical displacement of the entire motor, thereby maintaining compact motor positioning and minimizing hull space requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp brackets are enlarged to accommodate the movable body, then the movable body can move to various positions, but the clamp brackets increase in size in the right-left direction
Solution Approach 1:
The movable body is nested within the inner circumferential space of the clamp bracket, allowing it to move to various positions including above the swivel bracket and inside the clamp bracket space, while the clamp bracket maintains its original dimensions by utilizing its internal volume rather than expanding externally
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An inner circumferential surface of a clamp bracket is open at an inner side surface of the clamp bracket. At least a portion of a movable body is surrounded by the inner circumferential surface in a side view. The movable body is movable to a plurality of positions including a position above a swivel bracket and a position inside a space surrounded by the inner circumferential surface of the clamp bracket. A steering shaft rotates around a steering axis along with movement of the movable body.