Outboard Motor Shaft Layout for Compact Lower-Unit Steering
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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 using a steering motor.
Innovation Solution
The outboard motor is configured with a drive shaft positioned in front of the drive motor's output shaft, with the steering motor placed below and behind the drive shaft, allowing the connecting mechanism to be positioned in front of the drive motor's output shaft, thereby reducing the overall size by minimizing the distance 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 positioned in a conventional location, then the steering function is maintained, but the outboard motor size cannot be further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering motor is repositioned from a conventional horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement below the drive motor, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint of the outboard motor. This dimensional change allows compact packaging while maintaining all necessary functional connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering motor is nested within the vertical space below the drive motor, effectively utilizing unused vertical volume. The power transmission mechanism is similarly nested to connect the steering motor to the lower unit, creating a compact integrated arrangement that reduces overall motor size.
2Volume of moving object
If the drive shaft is positioned in front of the output shaft, then the steering motor can be disposed below and behind the drive shaft, but the spatial arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial arrangement is segmented into distinct functional zones: the drive motor and drive shaft in the front upper region, and the steering motor in the rear lower region. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its function while contributing to overall compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The unconventional positioning of the drive shaft in front of the output shaft and the steering motor below and behind it creates a three-dimensional spatial configuration that efficiently packs components. This multi-dimensional arrangement reduces the motor's external dimensions while maintaining functional integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An outboard motor includes an upper unit including a drive motor and a first transmission mechanism, a lower unit including a propeller and a propeller shaft, a drive shaft extending from the upper unit to the lower unit, a connecting mechanism that connects the lower unit to the upper unit so that the lower unit is pivotable, a steering motor serving as a power source for pivoting the lower unit relative to the upper unit, and a third transmission mechanism that transmits rotation of the steering motor to the lower unit. The drive shaft is disposed in front of an output shaft of the drive motor and the steering motor is disposed below the drive motor and behind the drive shaft.