Outboard Motor Steering Layout for Compact Lower-Unit Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for further miniaturization of outboard motors that steer a boat by pivoting a lower unit relative to an upper unit about a drive shaft.
Innovation Solution
The outboard motor is designed with the drive shaft positioned in front of the drive motor's output shaft, the steering motor disposed below the drive shaft, and a connecting mechanism arranged accordingly, allowing for a compact layout that reduces the overall size by minimizing the distances between the steering motor, drive shaft, and connecting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the steering motor is disposed below the drive shaft and the drive shaft is positioned in front of the drive motor's output shaft, then the overall size of the outboard motor is reduced, but the spatial arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions components along the vertical axis by placing the steering motor below the drive shaft, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve compactness. This dimensional rearrangement allows overlapping projections of components (drive shaft, steering motor, connecting mechanism) on the horizontal plane, effectively reducing the overall footprint and volume of the outboard motor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the steering motor is positioned within the vertical space below the drive shaft, and the connecting mechanism is arranged to connect components in a compact configuration. This nesting approach allows multiple components to occupy overlapping horizontal spaces at different vertical levels, minimizing the overall volume while maintaining functional relationships.
2Volume of moving object
If the distances between the steering motor, drive shaft, and connecting mechanism are minimized, then miniaturization is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the outboard motor into distinct functional modules: the drive motor assembly, the steering motor assembly, and the connecting mechanism. Each module can be manufactured and assembled separately with standardized interfaces, allowing for easier production despite the compact overall configuration. The segmented approach enables independent optimization of each component while maintaining compact integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
An outboard motor (1) includes an upper unit (2) including a drive motor (3) and a first transmission mechanism (12), a lower unit (21) including a propeller and a propeller shaft, a drive shaft (31) extending from the upper unit (2) to the lower unit (21), a connecting mechanism (40) that connects the lower unit (21) to the upper unit (2) so that the lower unit (21) is pivotable, a steering motor (45) serving as a power source for pivoting the lower unit (21) relative to the upper unit (2), and a worm gear mechanism (51) that transmits rotation of the steering motor (45) to the lower unit (21). The drive shaft (31) is disposed in front of an output shaft (4) of the drive motor (3) and the steering motor (45) is disposed below the drive motor (3) and behind the drive shaft (31).