Outboard Motor Layout for Lower Tilt-Up Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing outboard motors have a center of gravity positioned far behind the transom, necessitating high forces for tilting up, which increases user burden and manufacturing costs due to the need for powerful actuators.
Innovation Solution
The outboard motor design positions the first transmission mechanism, including the motor and speed reducer, closer to the boat by aligning them in a front-rear direction with the mounting mechanism in front and the motor behind, reducing the distance to the transom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor and speed reducer are disposed behind the swivel portion, then the transmission mechanism can be simplified, but the center of gravity is positioned far behind the transom, increasing the force required for tilting up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the motor and speed reducer from a purely rearward arrangement to a configuration where they extend laterally over the boat. Specifically, the motor is positioned with its output shaft extending vertically, and the speed reducer is arranged such that part of it is laterally outward from the motor. This lateral positioning brings the center of gravity closer to the boat while maintaining the simplified transmission mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism is positioned in front of the outboard motor body, and the first transmission mechanism is disposed so that its front part is positioned above the mounting mechanism. This preliminary positioning of heavy components closer to the boat creates a more favorable center of gravity position before the tilting operation is needed, reducing the force required for tilting up.
2Device complexity
If the center of gravity is positioned far behind the transom, then the transmission mechanism can be arranged simply, but the burden on the user tilting up the outboard motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses lateral positioning of the motor and speed reducer over the boat to achieve a compact arrangement that maintains simplicity while improving the center of gravity position. This reduces the moment arm behind the transom, making the outboard motor easier to tilt up without complicating the transmission mechanism arrangement.
3Ease of operation
If a hydraulic or electric actuator with higher output is used to tilt up the outboard motor, then the tilting function is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By preliminarily positioning the motor and speed reducer to create a favorable center of gravity position closer to the boat, the patent reduces the tilting moment that needs to be overcome. This allows the use of lower-output, less expensive actuators while still achieving adequate tilting function, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Data Source
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AI summary
An outboard motor (1) includes: an outboard motor body (2), and a mounting mechanism (40) provided in front of the outboard motor body (2) and mounts the outboard motor body (2) on a boat. The outboard motor body (2) includes: a motor (3); a drive shaft (8); a first transmission mechanism (9) transmits rotation of the motor (3) to the drive shaft (8); a propeller shaft (13) in which a propeller (20) is provided; and a transmission mechanism transmits rotation of the drive shaft (8) to the propeller shaft (13). The first transmission mechanism (9) is disposed so that a front part thereof is positioned above a mounting mechanism (40) and a rear part thereof is positioned above the motor (3).