WO2021262615A1 - Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit - Google Patents
Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2021262615A1 WO2021262615A1 PCT/US2021/038304 US2021038304W WO2021262615A1 WO 2021262615 A1 WO2021262615 A1 WO 2021262615A1 US 2021038304 W US2021038304 W US 2021038304W WO 2021262615 A1 WO2021262615 A1 WO 2021262615A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- input
- vertical
- angled
- outboard
- gear
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 62
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
- B63H20/14—Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H20/00—Outboard propulsion units, e.g. outboard motors or Z-drives; Arrangements thereof on vessels
- B63H20/14—Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element
- B63H20/20—Transmission between propulsion power unit and propulsion element with provision for reverse drive
Definitions
- This invention provides a vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit apparatus and method for improved operations.
- Typical shallow-water outboard motors are known, having an output shaft and propeller extending downward into the water at an angle. These shallow- water outboard motors have cumbersome gearboxes located entirely above the water line, where they are subject to overheating.
- the gearboxes are attached to the outboard-motor engine at the back of the engine and can only be driven by engines having a horizontal rotational output, excluding engines having a vertical rotational output.
- the gearing and connections of these shallow-water outboard motors make shifting between forward and reverse awkward and cumbersome and place the propeller at a long distance from the steering pivot point, making steering operations awkward and cumbersome.
- an outboard-motor lower unit which utilizes engine power provided as vertically oriented rotation, which provides output at an angle to the water surface, which provides water cooling without blockage or internal corrosion, which provides easy and efficient shifting from forward to reverse, which provides a smaller distance from the steering pivot point to the propeller, which shields against damage or fouling by objects in the water, and which redirects otherwise wasted thrust, especially in reverse, into useful thrust without churning the water surface.
- This invention provides a vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit apparatus and method for improved operations especially in shallow, muddy, marshy water or water choked with vegetation or obstacles.
- Vertically applied single-direction rotational power from an outboard motor engine is transferred to operator-controlled forward and reverse rotational power applied at an acute angle to the horizontal water surface.
- the apparatus is cooled by an external flow of water without being taken into any port which might become blocked.
- a thrust redirection plate reflects otherwise wasted propeller thrust, especially when operating in reverse, for more efficient operation and reduced churning of the water surface.
- An angled skeg and the angled orientation of the output shaft and housing deflect obstructions.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled- drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective cutaway view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled- drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a prior-art conventional outboard motor in use
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a prior-art typical shallow-water outboard motor in use
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention in use
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a prior-art conventional outboard motor in use
- FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a prior-art conventional outboard motor in use
- FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a prior-art conventional outboard motor in use
- FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a prior-art typical shallow-water outboard motor in use
- FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a prior-art conventional outboard motor in use
- FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a prior-art typical shallow-water outboard motor in use
- FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention.
- FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the vertical-input outboard- motor angled-drive lower unit of the invention in use. Detailed Description of the Invention
- the vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit 10 provides the lower unit for an outboard boat motor especially suited for operation in shallow, muddy, marshy, or vegetation- or obstacle-choked waters.
- the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit 10 uses rotational force supplied by the outboard-motor engine to a vertical input shaft 31 and transfers either the force or the reversed rotational direction of the force to the propeller mount 39, which is angled away from the vertical orientation of the vertical input shaft 31.
- a propeller mounted on the propeller mount 39 is at an acute angle to the surface and presumably to the bottom of the water. The preferred angle is 30 degrees from horizontal. At this angle, a propeller will only require a vertical clearance of half its diameter, for example, a 10-inch diameter propeller will only require a 5-inch depth of water.
- a thrust redirection plate 61 is provided, above the mounted propeller and at a less-acute angle to the surface of the water. When the propeller is thrusting to the rearward and downward, pushing the boat forward, the thrust redirection plate reflects the peripheral part of that force away from breaking the surface of the water and being wasted.
- the thrust redirection plate When the propeller is thrusting to the forward and upward, pulling the boat rearward, the thrust redirection plate reflects the main part of that force, which is initially directed toward the surface of the water and the transom of the boat, into a downward-angled, more efficient thrust.
- An angled skeg 62 is provided to shield the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit 10 and the mounted propeller.
- the vertical-input outboard- motor angled-drive lower unit 10 provides housings
- the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit 10 provides a direction-shifting unit 50 which provides improvements over the prior art.
- a shift actuator rod 51 provides operator control for shifting between forward and reverse gears.
- Other components of the direction- shifting unit 50 are housed within the rear housing 25 and are consequently at least partially below the water line and are cooled.
- a vertical input shaft 31 with input shaft bearing 41 enclosed within the input shaft housing 23 takes power in the form of single-direction rotational force from the engine of the outboard motor.
- An input gear 32 with input gear bearing 42 at the lower end of the vertical input shaft 31 rotates with the shaft and is configured to transfer the force at a right angle to a correspondingly configured gear.
- a bevel gear is appropriate for this purpose, with other gearing being possible.
- An intermediate shaft 33 with intermediate shaft bearings 43 is provided, enclosed primarily within the angled main housing 21, located below and at a right angle to the vertical input shaft 31 , therefore running horizontally, and running from a forward end to a rearward end in relation to the direction of travel of the outboard motor in use.
- a forward gear 34 with forward gear bearing 44 and a reverse gear 35 with reverse gear bearing 45 are mounted around the intermediate shaft 33 in a freely rotating manner.
- the forward gear 34 and the reverse gear 35 are each mounted facing inward toward the middle of the intermediate shaft 33 and therefore each facing the other. Both the forward gear 34 and the reverse gear 35 make contact with the input gear 32 and continually rotate with the input gear 32.
- the forward gear 34 rotates in a direction yielding a propeller rotation producing a forward thrust
- the reverse gear 35 rotates in the opposite direction yielding a propeller rotation producing a reverse thrust.
- the intermediate shaft can be rotated either in a forward direction by the forward gear 34 or in a reverse direction by the reverse gear 35.
- the direction- shifting unit 50 controls which gear is engaged with the intermediate shaft 33, under the control of an operator using the shift actuator rod 51, which moves a shifting wedge 52 enclosed within the rear housing 25.
- a shifting clutch dog 54 mounted upon the intermediate shaft 33 between the forward gear 34 and the reverse gear 35 engages with either the forward gear 34 or the reverse gear 35 and transfers the rotation of the engaged gear to the intermediate shaft 33.
- a clutch dog actuator pin 53 is mounted at the rearward end of the intermediate shaft 33. The clutch dog actuator pin 53 makes contact with the shifting wedge 52 and changes position corresponding to the portion of the shifting wedge 52 being contacted.
- a driving bevel gear 36 with driving bevel gear bearing 46 is mounted at the forward end of the intermediate shaft 33. This driving bevel gear 36 rotates with the intermediate shaft, either in a forward or reverse direction according to the operation of the direction-shifting unit 50.
- An output shaft 38 with output shaft bearings 48 is provided below, in line with, and at an acute angle to the intermediate shaft 33. As stated above, the preferred angle is 30 degrees from horizontal, which is 120 degrees from the vertical line of the vertical input shaft 31.
- a driven bevel gear 37 with driven bevel gear bearings 47 is mounted at the forward upward end of the output shaft 38. Together, the driving bevel gear 36 and the driven bevel gear 37 transfer the rotational force of the intermediate shaft 33 to the output shaft 38, at an acute angle.
- the rotational force transferred can be either a forward-thrust producing force or a reverse-thrust producing force.
- the distance from the steering pivot point to the propeller of an outboard motor using the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit 10 is close to that of a conventional outboard motor and is significantly shorter than that of a typical shallow-water outboard motor. The shorter distance yields easier and better operation.
- FIGS. 11 and 12 when it is desirable or necessary to raise the motor such as through the use of a “jackplate,” an outboard motor using the vertical-input outboard- motor angled-drive lower unit 10 will have the bulk of its gearbox housing above the water, reducing drag as compared to a convention outboard motor having its entire gearbox under water.
- an outboard motor using the vertical-input outboard-motor angled-drive lower unit 10 will negotiate floating obstructions more easily than a conventional outboard motor where the angled skeg 62, and the angled orientation of the lower portions generally, shield a mounted propeller from damage or fouling by deflecting obstructions.
- an outboard motor using the vertical-input outboard- motor angled-drive lower unit 10 will operate more efficiently in forward gear than a conventional outboard motor because the thrust redirection plate 61 prevents thrust from being directed upward against the negligible air pressure, and therefore wasted, and the downward- angled orientation of the thrust can operate against the bottom, in shallow water, and against the increased pressure of deeper water otherwise.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Structure Of Transmissions (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Iron Core Of Rotating Electric Machines (AREA)
- Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA3181903A CA3181903C (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-06-21 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit |
MX2022016432A MX2022016432A (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-06-21 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit. |
AU2021296746A AU2021296746B2 (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-06-21 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit |
CN202180044562.4A CN115702104A (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-06-21 | Vertical input outboard motor forward-reverse angled drive lower unit |
EP21828458.6A EP4153475A4 (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-06-21 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit |
ZA2022/13176A ZA202213176B (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2022-12-05 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/908,326 US10858087B2 (en) | 2017-12-07 | 2020-06-22 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit |
US16/908,326 | 2020-06-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2021262615A1 true WO2021262615A1 (en) | 2021-12-30 |
Family
ID=79281751
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2021/038304 WO2021262615A1 (en) | 2020-06-22 | 2021-06-21 | Vertical-input outboard-motor forward-reverse angled-drive lower unit |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4153475A4 (en) |
CN (1) | CN115702104A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2021296746B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA3181903C (en) |
MX (1) | MX2022016432A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021262615A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA202213176B (en) |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3703642A (en) * | 1971-10-28 | 1972-11-21 | Rodolfo Rodriguez Balaguer | Outboard motor unit |
US4946411A (en) * | 1988-10-20 | 1990-08-07 | Novey Richard T | Hand held remote control for outboard powerheads |
US5072629A (en) * | 1989-09-05 | 1991-12-17 | Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Shift assisting system |
US5348500A (en) * | 1993-06-28 | 1994-09-20 | Outboard Marine Corporation | Marine propulsion device with selectively operable secondary exhaust discharge |
US5692931A (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1997-12-02 | Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control arrangement for outboard motor |
US6352457B1 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2002-03-05 | Bombardier Motor Corporation Of America | Assembly and method for providing shift control for a marine drive |
US20160090165A1 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2016-03-31 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Marine propulsion device |
US20190178309A1 (en) * | 2017-12-07 | 2019-06-13 | Brian Provost | Outboard-motor automatic disengaging clutch system and method |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2096457A (en) * | 1934-02-12 | 1937-10-19 | Outboard Motors Corp | Outboard motor |
JPH08239092A (en) * | 1995-03-03 | 1996-09-17 | Sanshin Ind Co Ltd | Outboard motor |
GB201410476D0 (en) * | 2014-06-12 | 2014-07-30 | Beachy Head Michael A | Outboard motor |
-
2021
- 2021-06-21 CA CA3181903A patent/CA3181903C/en active Active
- 2021-06-21 CN CN202180044562.4A patent/CN115702104A/en active Pending
- 2021-06-21 WO PCT/US2021/038304 patent/WO2021262615A1/en active Application Filing
- 2021-06-21 MX MX2022016432A patent/MX2022016432A/en unknown
- 2021-06-21 EP EP21828458.6A patent/EP4153475A4/en active Pending
- 2021-06-21 AU AU2021296746A patent/AU2021296746B2/en active Active
-
2022
- 2022-12-05 ZA ZA2022/13176A patent/ZA202213176B/en unknown
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3703642A (en) * | 1971-10-28 | 1972-11-21 | Rodolfo Rodriguez Balaguer | Outboard motor unit |
US4946411A (en) * | 1988-10-20 | 1990-08-07 | Novey Richard T | Hand held remote control for outboard powerheads |
US5072629A (en) * | 1989-09-05 | 1991-12-17 | Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Shift assisting system |
US5348500A (en) * | 1993-06-28 | 1994-09-20 | Outboard Marine Corporation | Marine propulsion device with selectively operable secondary exhaust discharge |
US5692931A (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1997-12-02 | Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Control arrangement for outboard motor |
US6352457B1 (en) * | 2000-04-05 | 2002-03-05 | Bombardier Motor Corporation Of America | Assembly and method for providing shift control for a marine drive |
US20160090165A1 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2016-03-31 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Marine propulsion device |
US20190178309A1 (en) * | 2017-12-07 | 2019-06-13 | Brian Provost | Outboard-motor automatic disengaging clutch system and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2021296746A1 (en) | 2023-02-02 |
CA3181903A1 (en) | 2021-12-30 |
EP4153475A4 (en) | 2024-07-10 |
MX2022016432A (en) | 2023-01-30 |
AU2021296746B2 (en) | 2023-06-15 |
ZA202213176B (en) | 2023-09-27 |
CA3181903C (en) | 2023-07-18 |
CN115702104A (en) | 2023-02-14 |
EP4153475A1 (en) | 2023-03-29 |
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