Outboard Motor Rotation for Lateral Thrust and Yaw Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outboard motors in small marine vessels, powered by internal combustion engines, are limited in maneuverability due to restrictions on movement, which hinders improvements in yaw and turning performance, and the transition to electric motors offers opportunities for more active maneuverability but requires innovative designs to leverage this potential.
Innovation Solution
Outboard motors are designed to be rotatable about a front-rear axis in addition to the conventional left-right tilt axis, allowing for greater freedom in positioning thrust forces to enhance yaw control, and are equipped with electric motors to eliminate lubrication constraints, enabling independent rotation and movement configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an internal combustion engine is used as the power source, then the outboard motor can be tilted up or trimmed in to control the action angle of thrust force, but the action position of the thrust force does not change in the left-right direction, limiting yaw control and turning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard motor is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be tilted not only up and down (conventional tilt) but also rotated about a front-rear axis to change the left-right position of the thrust force action point. This dynamic adjustment enables active yaw control and improves turning performance while maintaining ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outboard motor is tilted up or trimmed in, then the action angle of thrust force changes to control hull posture, but the movement is limited and does not contribute to yaw change or improvement in turning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a new rotational degree of freedom by allowing the outboard motor to rotate about a front-rear axis in addition to the conventional tilt axis. This dimensional expansion enables the thrust force action position to change in the left-right direction, contributing to yaw control and improving turning performance while maintaining hull posture control capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an electric motor is used as the power source, then the restriction on movement is reduced and there is room for the outboard motor to more actively contribute to maneuverability, but the design requires innovative configurations to leverage this potential
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard motor design integrates multiple functions: it can tilt up and down for conventional posture control, rotate about the front-rear axis for yaw control, and position the thrust force action point in both vertical and lateral directions. This multi-functional design leverages the movement freedom provided by electric motors while managing complexity through a unified rotational mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A small marine vessel includes a hull and an outboard motor attached to the hull to be rotatable about a first axis extending along a front-rear direction of the hull and to be movable in an up-down direction of the hull so as to more actively contribute to the maneuverability of the small marine vessel.