Outboard Motor Support System Port Starboard Movement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Outboard motors with resilient mounts positioned above a preselected vertical position can experience undesirable steering reactive forces and control issues due to uncontrolled port and starboard movement of the lower portion during high-speed operations, as they lack direct connection to the support system, leading to potential deflection from a vertical axis.
Innovation Solution
An outboard motor support system comprising a restricting member attachable to a marine vessel and a restricted member attachable to a preselected portion of the outboard motor, which limits movement in both starboard and port directions by predefined magnitudes through strategically positioned surfaces, ensuring contact only during significant directional forces, thereby maintaining vertical alignment and enhancing control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient mounts are positioned above a preselected vertical position, then vibration isolation is improved, but port and starboard movement control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into two distinct functional components: resilient mounts positioned above the preselected vertical position for vibration isolation, and restricting members positioned at or below the preselected vertical position for port and starboard movement control. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its respective function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The restricting members act as intermediary elements between the lower portion of the outboard motor and the support brackets. These intermediaries physically restrict excessive port and starboard movement while allowing the resilient mounts to continue providing vibration isolation, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of vibration isolation and movement control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower portion of the outboard motor is not directly connected to the support system, then vibration isolation is improved, but steering control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into resilient mounts for vibration isolation and restricting members for steering control. The restricting members provide the necessary mechanical connection between the lower motor portion and support structure to maintain steering control, while the resilient mounts handle vibration isolation without requiring direct rigid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the support system have different connection characteristics: the resilient mounts provide flexible, vibration-isolating connections, while the restricting members provide rigid, control-providing connections. This local differentiation of connection quality allows simultaneous achievement of vibration isolation and steering control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional attachment is provided between the lower portion and support brackets, then movement control is improved, but vibration isolation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system segments the attachment functions: resilient mounts handle vibration isolation while restricting members handle movement control. This segmentation allows additional attachment (restricting members) to be added without compromising vibration isolation, as the resilient mounts continue to perform their function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges two different attachment mechanisms (resilient mounts and restricting members) into a single integrated support system. The resilient mounts and restricting members work together, with each addressing a different aspect of the technical contradiction, thereby combining the benefits of both approaches.
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 system effectively restricts excessive movement of the outboard motor's lower portion during high-speed operations, improving steering control and maintaining quiet operation at low speeds by providing a soft support system that prevents deflection from a vertical axis, thus enhancing operator control and reducing vibration transmission.
Implementation Method 1
resilient mounts incorporate an elastomeric portion that isolates vibration from being transmitted to a marine vessel from the outboard motor
Data Source
AI summary
A support system for an outboard motor provides a restricted member that is attached to a bottom portion of the outboard motor and a restricting member that is attached to a support structure that is, in turn, attached to a transom of a marine vessel. The restricted member is prevented from moving in a starboard or port direction by a magnitude greater than a preselected magnitude that is defined by a gap between restricting and restricted surfaces that move into contact with each other when forces on the outboard motor cause a lower portion of the outboard motor to move by a magnitude greater than a predefined limit in either the port or starboard directions. Preselected gaps between restricting and restricted surfaces are sized to allow nominal vibration at low operating speeds of the outboard motor while restricting excessive lateral movement during operation at high speed.