Retractable Steering Bar Outboard Motor for Easier Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outboard motors are cumbersome and difficult to transport due to their weight and size, especially when powerful, making mounting and dismounting operations tedious.
Innovation Solution
The outboard motor design features a steering bar that slides and pivots within a guide track, allowing it to be partially retracted into the body, along with a removable battery and a mounting system that includes a pivoting arm for easy handling and attachment to a boat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an outboard motor is designed for optimal performance on a specific type of watercraft, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different watercraft types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard motor incorporates adjustable components including the lower unit angle adjustment mechanism and trim tab system that allow dynamic reconfiguration to optimize performance across different watercraft types. The lower unit can be angled relative to the upper unit, and the trim tab can be adjusted to change the effective angle of attack, enabling the same motor to adapt to various hull shapes and weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing adjustment of the lower unit angle, trim tab position, and propeller selection to modify the motor's performance characteristics. These parameter adjustments enable the motor to maintain optimal propulsion efficiency when mounted on different watercraft types with varying weights, hull designs, and operational requirements.
2Power
If mounting structures are customized for each watercraft type, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal mounting brackets and adapter plates that can accommodate multiple watercraft types without requiring custom-designed mounting structures for each application. The mounting system includes standardized interface features that allow the same outboard motor to be installed on different watercraft types, eliminating the need for complex custom mounting solutions while maintaining propulsion efficiency through proper alignment capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lower unit angle is fixed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different operational conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outboard motor features an adjustable lower unit angle mechanism that allows the lower unit to be rotated to different angles relative to the upper unit and locked in position. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the motor to adapt to different operational conditions such as varying water depths, wave conditions, and watercraft types, while the manufacturing precision is maintained through precision-machined adjustment mechanisms and locking features.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an outboard motor (1) that is capable of being coupled to a watercraft (20) and comprises an elongate hollow body (2) that is open at its upper end (3), a propeller (5) positioned on the lower end (4) of the body (2), a system (6) for rotating the propeller (5) integrated into said body (2), and a steering bar (7) provided at its free end with an acceleration lever (8). The steering bar (7) is slidably mounted inside a longitudinal guideway (9) provided inside the body (2) for moving the steering bar (7) between an at least partially retracted configuration within the body (2) of the outboard motor (1) and a deployed configuration in which the steering bar (7) at least partially projects from said body (2). In the deployed configuration, the steering bar (7) is mounted so as to pivot about a shaft (10) transverse to the longitudinal axis of the guideway (9) in order to move said bar (7) between a raised position in which it extends in the axial extension of the guideway (9) and a lowered position in which it forms an angle (a) of between 60 and 120° with the longitudinal axis of the guideway (9).