Abstract:
An outboard motor comprises a cowling, having a top cowling and a bottom cowling, that cooperate to define an engine compartment. An intake air duct draws outside air into the engine compartment. A water collecting part is arranged in the bottom cowling for accumulating water that may enter the cowling through the air duct. A water passage may also be provided for guiding water from the intake air duct to the water collecting part. The water passage may have air openings for allowing air to enter the engine compartment independent of the water. A floor of the engine compartment may be adapted to contain water splashing and direct water to a water collecting part.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to Japanese application No. 2004-367928, which was filed on Dec. 20, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an outboard motor. More specifically, the present invention relates to an outboard motor having a system for minimizing the possibility that water will impinge on an internal combustion engine of the outboard motor and/or enter the engine air intake system.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Conventionally, an outboard motor comprises an internal combustion engine enclosed in an engine compartment defined by a cowling comprising a top cowling and a bottom cowling. An intake air duct is formed through the cowling for supplying air to the engine. The cowling air duct is generally provided with a water-separating structure for preventing the entrance of water from outside the cowling. The air duct preferably has a cross sectional area large enough to secure an adequate amount of intake air. Therefore, it may be difficult to keep water from entering and flowing through the intake duct.  
         [0006]     Water entering the cowling typically contacts the top face of a flywheel magneto cover. From the flywheel cover, water flows or drips to the bottom of the cowling. Possibly, water may drip onto the engine from the flywheel equipment cover, or water accumulated in the bottom of the cowling may scatter onto the engine or auxiliary due to vibration or trimming, turning tilting motion of the outboard motor. Also, there is a possibility that water is ingested by the engine via its air intake system.  
         [0007]     In one known technique, water accumulated in the bottom of the cowling is drained by means of a check valve. This technique does not work until a sufficient amount of water is accumulated to push open the check valve. In addition, it may take a long time to drain the water completely.  
         [0008]     Technology also exists to prevent water that enters a cowling from dripping directly on an engine. However, since the water accumulates in the bottom cowling before it is drained, it can scatter and splash onto the engine prior to being drained due to vibrations and/or motion of the motor due to wave action.  
         [0009]     In other art, a water drain outlet on the top cowling faces rearward and has a cover. This structure is especially susceptible to water intrusion, especially is a large wave contacts the outboard motor. In addition, there is a chance that water will flow back from the drain outlet into the outboard motor.  
         [0010]     Large outboard motors with high power output typically require large quantities of intake air for engine operation. Thus, a cross-section of an intake air duct is typically relatively large for such motors in order to assure a sufficient amount of air is provided to the engine. As such, water intrusion prevention techniques are typically less effective for such motors, and problems in connection with accumulation of water in the bottom of cowlings are particularly relevant in large, high power outboard motors.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Accordingly, a need exist for an outboard motor having a structure in which water entering the cowling is prevented from scattering and splashing around the engine compartment. A need also exists for a structure that prevents water that enters the cowling from splashing directly onto the engine.  
         [0012]     In accordance with one embodiment, an outboard motor is provided comprising a cowling generally enclosing an engine. The cowling comprises an upper cowling and a lower cowling that engage one another and define an engine compartment therewithin. The upper cowling has an intake assembly defining an intake chamber. An intake aperture is formed through the upper cowling and opens into the intake chamber. An air duct opens from the intake chamber into the engine compartment so that intake air is drawn through the intake aperture into the intake chamber and then through the air duct to the engine compartment. A water collector is disposed in the lower cowling. The water collector has an opening and is adapted to accumulate water from within the engine compartment.  
         [0013]     In accordance with another embodiment, the water collector comprises a ceiling portion adapted to prevent water from splashing out of the water collector during motor operation. In further embodiments, the outboard motor additionally comprises a passage adapted to direct water and air from the air duct opening toward the water collector opening. Preferably the passage comprises an air outlet adapted to allow air to flow from the passage into the engine compartment.  
         [0014]     In accordance with a still further embodiment, the invention provides an outboard motor comprising a cowling generally enclosing an engine. The cowling comprises an upper cowling member and a lower cowling member that engage one another and define an engine compartment. The upper cowling member has an air intake assembly adapted to direct air from outside the cowling into the engine compartment. The lower cowling member comprises means for holding water that may enter the engine compartment. The outboard motor additionally comprises means for directing water from the air intake system toward the water holding means. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of an outboard motor mounted on a hull.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a vertical cross-sectional view of an engine of the outboard motor of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the engine of the outboard motor of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a top cowling.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the top cowling of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line VII-VII of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a water draining intake air guide.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the water draining intake air guide taken along line IX-IX of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the top cowling of the outboard motor of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line XII-XII in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a vertical cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the top cowling of the outboard motor of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-sectional view of a still further embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the top cowling of the outboard motor of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the top cowling of the outboard motor of  FIG. 18 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is a vertical cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the top cowling of the outboard motor of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an outboard motor.  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a rear view of the top cowling of the outboard motor of  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]     Embodiments of outboard motors showing aspects of the present invention are now described. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.  
         [0039]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an outboard motor mounted on a hull. An outboard motor  1  according to this embodiment is attached to a transom board  100   a  of the hull  100  by means of a clamp bracket  2 . A swivel bracket  5 , elastically supporting a propulsion unit  4  by means of upper and lower damper members  3 , is attached to the clamp bracket  2  by a tilt shaft  6  in the manner that the swivel bracket  5  can pivot about the tilt shaft  6  in the up-and-down direction.  
         [0040]     The propulsion unit  4  has a housing composed of a cowling  7 , an upper case  8 , and a lower case  9 . The cowling  7  has a top cowling  700  and a bottom cowling  701 . The top cowling  700  is detachably mounted on the bottom cowling  701 .  
         [0041]     The cowling  7  preferably contains a four-cycle engine  10 . The upper case  8  is attached to the bottom of an exhaust guide  11 . The engine  10  is supported by the exhaust guide  11 .  
         [0042]     A crankshaft  12 , disposed vertically in the engine  10 , is connected to the upper end of a drive shaft  13 , which runs vertically through the inner space of the upper case  8 . The lower end of the drive shaft  13  is connected to a forward-reverse shifting mechanism  14  accommodated in the lower case  9 . A propeller shaft  15  extends horizontally from the forward-reverse shifting mechanism  14 . A propeller  16  is attached to the rear end of the propeller shaft  15 , where the propeller shaft  15  sticks out from the lower case  8 .  
         [0043]     It is to be understood that, although the illustrated propulsion unit is a single propeller system, other types of propulsion units can be used as well. For example, a dual counter-rotational propeller system, jet drive, or the like, may also employ aspects of the present invention.  
         [0044]     With reference next to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the illustrated embodiment, the engine  10  disposed in the cowling  7  is a V-shaped 6-cylinder four-cycle engine having two banks of cylinders  20  arranged in a V-shape, three cylinders in each bank comprising generally horizontally-disposed upper, middle and lower cylinders lying in parallel. A piston  21  is slidably accommodated in each cylinder  20 . The piston  21  is connected to one end of a connecting rod  22 , while the other end of the connecting rod  22  is connected to the crankshaft  12 .  
         [0045]     Although the illustrated outboard motor contemplates a V-type 6-cylinder four-cycle engine, engines having a different number of cylinders, other cylinder arrangements, various cylinder orientations (e.g., upright cylinder banks, etc.), and operating on various combustion principles (e.g., four-stroke, crankcase compression, two-stroke, diesel, and rotary) are all practicable for use with the present invention.  
         [0046]     An intake silencer  23  preferably is disposed in front of the engine  10 . Intake pipes  24  extend from both sides of the intake silencer  23 , and each pipe is connected to a corresponding cylinder. Exhaust pipes  25  are joined to respective cylinders and are gathered into an exhaust manifold  26 . The exhaust manifold  26  preferably extends vertically in a space between the V-shaped banks of cylinders for discharging the exhaust gas into water through the exhaust guide  11 .  
         [0047]     A flywheel magneto  30  preferably is provided at the upper end of the crankshaft  12 . Also provided at the upper end of the crankshaft  12  is a driving pulley  31 . The driving pulley  31  and driven pulleys  33  of a camshaft  32  provided for each cylinder are bridged by a timing belt  34 , to form a valve train  35 . The valve train  35  and the magneto  30  preferably are covered with a flywheel magneto cover  37 .  
         [0048]     The top cowling  700  of the cowling  7  has a fresh air intake opening  710  and an intake air chamber  711 , which is a space lying in between the fresh air intake opening  710  and an intake air duct  713 . Air drawn through the fresh air intake opening  710  is led toward the engine by way of the intake air chamber  711  and then the intake air duct  713 .  
         [0049]     According to this embodiment, an air chamber member  712  containing the intake air duct  713  preferably is attached to the inner face of the upper part of the cowling  700   a  by inserting it from the lower part of the top cowling  700 . The intake air chamber  711  is defined between the top cowling  700  and the air chamber member  712 .  
         [0050]     With reference next to  FIGS. 4-7 , in the air chamber member  712 , the intake air duct  713  is formed at the center of its bottom wall  712   a.  An intake air chamber front wall  712   c  is formed in the forward portion of the bottom wall  712   a.  Also a wall  712   d  is formed in the rear portion of the bottom wall  712   a.  The wall  712   d  is a wall for parting the left and the right fresh air intake openings  710 .  
         [0051]     In the top plan view, the intake air chamber front wall  712   c  is shaped so that its center portion  712   c   1  projects toward the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor, forming inclined planes  712   c   2  at both sides of the apex. According to this embodiment, the center portion  712   c   1  of the intake air chamber front wall  712   c  projects toward the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor, generally taking the shape of letter V.  
         [0052]     In the illustrated embodiment, the intake air duct  713  is disposed generally behind the intake air chamber front wall  712   c  along the longitudinal axis of the outboard motor. The intake air duct  713  preferably has a front wall  713   a  rising from the bottom wall  712   a,  a rear wall  713   b  that is longer than the front wall  713   a,  and the left and the right side walls  713   c,    713   d  connecting the front wall  713   a  and the rear wall  713   b.  An air inlet opening  713   e  is defined by the front wall  713   a,  rear wall  713   b,  and the left and the right side walls  713   c,    713   d.  A gap L 1  is formed between the upper end of the air inlet opening  713   e  and the inner face of the upper part of the cowling  700   a.  Opening of the intake air duct  713  is arranged so that the air is introduced from the intake air chamber  711  toward the engine. The intake air duct  713  is provided generally in the center of the intake air chamber  711 .  
         [0053]     The presence of the wall  712   d  of the air intake chamber member  712  allows the fresh air intake openings  710  to be provided separately on both sides of the wall  712   d.  The fresh air intake openings  710  penetrate to the left and the right ends  712   c   3  of the intake air chamber front wall  712   c.  In addition, bulkheads  714  are formed on the chamber member  712 , extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the outboard motor, and located on both sides of the intake air duct  713 , outwardly separated from it by desired distance. The bottom wall  712   a  and the inner face of the upper part of the cowling  700   a  are connected by the bulkheads  714 .  
         [0054]     According to this embodiment, water enters the intake air chamber  711  from the left and the right fresh air intake opening  710  when the outboard motor encounters a wave from the rear at the time of deceleration during reverse operation of watercraft. However, as shown in  FIG. 4 , water is drained off the outboard motor taking the route “A” indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line arrow, since it is guided by the bulkhead  714  of the molding  712  and the intake air chamber front wall  712   c.  The air is delivered from the intake air chamber  711  into an engine room  80  through the intake air duct  713  taking the route “B” indicated by the dotted line arrow.  
         [0055]     As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, the center portion of the intake air chamber front wall  712   c,  in the top plan view, projects toward the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor, generally taking the shape of letter V, and accompanied by inclined faces  712   c   2  at both sides of the apex. Thus, when water enters from the fresh air intake openings  710  on the right and the left, it hits and the flows along the inclined faces  712   c  of the intake air chamber front wall  712   c,  to be drained quickly without substantially changing the direction of flow.  
         [0056]     In addition, the bulkheads  714  are provided on both sides of the intake air duct  713 , separated outwardly from it by certain distance and extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the outboard motor. The outboard motor can encounter a wave from the rear at an angle when it is steered in the reverse operation, for instance. In such occasion, the bulkheads  714  provided on both sides of the intake air duct  713  can effectively block the water coming into the intake air duct from the rear at an angle.  
         [0057]     The bulkheads  714  located on both sides of the intake air duct  713  may be provided to extend from both ends of the rear wall  713   b  of the intake air duct  713 , or from both ends of the wall  712   d  of the chamber member  712 . In addition, provision of the intake air duct  713  generally in the center of the intake air chamber  711  allows effective water separation when water enters the intake air chamber  711  from the rear of the outboard motor.  
         [0058]     It is to be understood that, in additional embodiments, intake air chambers having different structural configurations and properties may be employed. Preferably, such intake air chambers include one or more air ducts for directing air into the engine compartment of the outboard motor.  
         [0059]     Notwithstanding the effectiveness of an intake air chamber in deflecting water from entering the cowling through the air duct, it is to be expected that at least some water will pass through the air duct, and thus enter the engine compartment. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, and with reference next to  FIGS. 2 and 8 , a water-draining intake air guide  90  preferably is provided in the cowling  7 . This structure prevents water from scattering when it enters the cowling  7  through the intake air duct  713 , and instead directs such water away from the engine  10 , so as to prevent incoming water from dripping onto the engine  10 .  
         [0060]     With reference to  FIGS. 8-9 , the water-draining intake air guide  90  preferably comprises a water collecting part  90   a,  a duct  90   c,  and the flywheel magneto cover  37 . The water collecting part  90   a  includes a water collecting opening  90   a   1  and has a specified capacity with a depth sufficient to accumulate water entering the cowling  7 . The capacity of the water collecting part  90   a  is large enough to adequately accumulate and store the amount of water that can be expected to enter the cowling  7  of the outboard motor  1 .  
         [0061]     The flywheel magneto cover  37  is suitably shaped to collect water, by forming a vertical rib  37   a  on its periphery, and providing an opening  37   c  through the bottom face  37   b  in the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor. The bottom face  37   b  preferably tilts rearwardly so that water flows to the opening  37   c.  Preferably, a duct  37   d  extends downwardly from the opening  37   c.    
         [0062]     The duct  90   c  is disposed between the water collecting opening  90   a   1  of the water collecting part  90   a  and the opening  37   c  of the flywheel magneto cover  37 . A water passage  90   c   1  is formed through the duct  90   c,  and an air passage  90   c   2  is formed in communication with the water passage  90   c   1 . The water passage  90   c   1  preferably runs in a vertical direction, communicating the opening  37   c  in the flywheel magneto cover  37  with the water collecting opening  90   a   1  of the water collecting part  90   a,  to introduce water from the flywheel magneto cover  37  to the water collecting part  90   a.  An air opening  90   c   21  preferably is provided at an upper end of the air passage  90   c   2 , and opens upwardly and communicates with the inner space of the cowling  7 , while an air opening  90   c   22  provided at the other end of the air passage  90   c   2  opens downwardly to communicate with the water passage  90   c   1 , by which the air separated from water flowing through the water passage  90   c   1  is introduced into the engine room  80 . In addition, an air opening  90   a   2  preferably is provided in the upper portion of the water collecting part  90   a  to introduce only the air into the engine room  80 , as both water and air flow into the water collecting part  90   a.  Preferably, the air opening  90   c   21  is disposed vertically above the opening of the duct  37   d  within duct  90   c.  Similarly, preferably air opening  90   a   2  is disposed vertically higher than the opening of the duct  90   c  within the water collecting part  90   a.  Of course, it is to be understood that in other embodiments, other arrangements of ducting and air openings can be provided.  
         [0063]     In the illustrated embodiment, water-draining intake air guide  90  is disposed inside of the bottom cowling  701 , and the water collecting part  90   a  is provided to accumulate the water that enters the cowling  7 . By accumulating the incoming water in the water collecting part  90   a,  this arrangement can restrain water from spreading over the base of the bottom cowling and being scattered around. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a bilge pump  91  preferably is disposed on the exhaust guide  11 . One end  91   a   1  of a hose  91  a attached to the bilge pump  91  is connected to the water collecting part  90   a,  so that water accumulated in the water collecting part  90   a  is drawn out via the bilge pump  91 , and is discharged overboard from the other end  91   a   2  of the hose  91   a.    
         [0064]     The water passage  90   c   1  for inducting water to the water collecting part  90   a  is provided in the duct  90   c  of the water-draining intake air guide  90 . Water entering from the intake air duct  713  is introduced into the water collecting part  90   a  from the opening  37   c  of the flywheel magneto cover  37  by way of the water passage  90   c   1 . Thus, the engine  10  is protected from being exposed to water.  
         [0065]     Also the air passage  90   c   2  is attached to the water passage  90   c   1  to communicate with each other. The water passage  90   c   1  also works as an intake air passage. The air separated from water in the water passage  90   c   1  is introduced into the engine room  80  by way of the air passage  90   c   2 . As described above, the water passage  90   c   1  serves as an intake air passage having water separating function. This arrangement, combined with the water separating structure provided in the intake air chamber  711 , assures positive water separation. Further, since the air openings  90   c   21 ,  90   a   2  open in directions that are generally opposite to the vertically downward water flow B, the change in flow direction further helps efficiently separate the air A from the water.  
         [0066]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8-9 , the water passage  90   c   1  is composed of the duct  90   c  which communicates the opening  37   c  on the flywheel magneto cover  37  enclosing the magneto  30  with the water collecting opening  90   a   1  to take in the water. This structure eliminates the annoyance in such case that water on the water passage  90   c   1  spills out upon the removal of top cowling. It also reduces the time required hour for manufacturing assembly.  
         [0067]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 10  is a vertical sectional view of the engine in the outboard motor.  FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the top cowling.  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line XII-XII in  FIG. 10 . The water-draining intake air guide  90  according to this embodiment has a structure similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 , except that the water collecting part  90   a  is provided independently from the duct  90   c.  The independent water collecting part  90   a  is disposed inside of the bottom cowling  701 . The water passage  90   c   1  of the duct  90   c  is in communication with the water collecting opening  90   a   1  of the water collecting part  90   a.    
         [0068]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 , which is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outboard motor. The water-draining intake air guide  90  according to this embodiment has a structure sharing some similarities with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 9 , but the water collecting part  90   a  is provided separately from the duct  90   c.  The duct  90   c  is located below the intake air duct  713  of the air intake chamber member  712 , and above the water collecting part  90   a.    
         [0069]     The water coming in from the intake air duct  713  goes through the water passage  90   c   1  of the duct  90   c,  drops into the water collecting part  90   a  and accumulates therein. The air separated from water while going down the water passage  90   c   1  is led to the inner space of the cowling  7  through the opening at the bottom of the water passage  90   c   1 .  
         [0070]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIGS. 14 and 15 .  FIG. 14  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outboard motor.  FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the top cowling. The water-draining intake air guide  90  according to this embodiment has a structure similar in some ways to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . However, the water collecting part  90   a  is formed in the base  701   a  of the bottom cowling  701 . The water coming in from the intake air duct  713  goes down the water passage  90   c   1  of the duct  90   c  and drops into the base  701   a  of the bottom cowling  701 . Such water is accumulated in the water collecting part  90   a.    
         [0071]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outboard motor.  FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the top cowling. The water-draining intake air guide  90  according to this embodiment has a structure similar in some ways to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . However, the water collecting part  90   a  is provided in the base  701   a  of the bottom cowling  701  by means of a vertical rib  701   a   1 . The vertical rib  701   a   1  preferably extends transversely in the straight line across the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor. The water collecting part  90   a  is defined in the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor behind the vertical rib  701   a   1 .  
         [0072]     The water coming-in from the intake air duct  713  goes down the water passage  90   c   1  of the duct  90   c  and drops into the base  701   a  of the bottom cowling  701 . Then, the water is accumulated in the water collecting part  90   a,  which constrains it from flowing freely about the cowling and engine compartments.  
         [0073]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIGS. 18 and 19 .  FIG. 18  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the engine in the outboard motor.  FIG. 19  is a top plan view of the top cowling. In the water-draining intake air guide  90  according to this embodiment, the water collecting part  90   a  is provided in the base  701   a  of the bottom cowling  701 . The bottom cowling  701  is machined to form the water collecting part  90   a.  The water collecting part  90   a  has a ceiling portion  90   e.  The ceiling portion  90   e,  extending to cover the water collecting part  90   a,  preferably is made of a floor plate  90   e   1  disposed around the bottom of the engine  10 . In other embodiments, the ceiling portion and floor plate may be formed separately.  
         [0074]     The water collecting opening  90   a   1  of the water collecting part  90   a  preferably is formed in the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor. The water coming in from the intake air duct  713  goes down the water passage  90   c   1  of the duct  90   c  and drops into the base  701   a  of the bottom cowling  701 . Then, the water is accumulated in the water collecting part  90   a  via the water collecting opening  90   a   1 . The water collecting part  90   a  has a ceiling portion  90   e.  The floor plate  90   e   1  of the ceiling portion  90   e  extends to cover the water collecting part  90   a  for positively restraining water from scattering.  
         [0075]     Also, the floor plate  90   e   1  of the ceiling portion  90   e  preferably is tilted so as to lead the water to the water collecting opening  90   a   1 , and the ceiling portion  90   e  is shaped to gather water to the water collecting opening  90   a  of the water collecting part  90   a.  Thus, the water that has not been introduced into the water collecting part  90   a  through the duct  90   c  so far will be led to the water collecting opening  90   a   1  via the ceiling portion  90   e.  In the illustrated embodiment, the floor plate  90   e   1  is a substantially planar plate. It is to be understood, however, that the floor can include 3-dimensional contours that are adapted to guide and direct water toward the water collecting opening  90   a   1 .  
         [0076]     In addition, the water collecting part  90   a  is located in between the inner base area of the bottom cowling  701  and the ceiling portion  90   e.  Since the water collecting part  90   a  is formed on the bottom cowling  701 , it is easy to adjust the shape of the water collecting part  90   a  to the engine configuration. For instance, the water collecting part  90   a  may be provided below the engine, or may take an annular shape that lies around the engine. In addition, it is easier to secure the room for the water collecting part in comparison with the separately provided water collecting part.  
         [0077]     A ceiling aperture  90   e   2  of the ceiling portion  90   e  is provided in the longitudinally rear part of the outboard motor. When the outboard motor is tilted up, the ceiling aperture  90   e   2  comes at the elevated position. Thus, the water has less chance to spill out even when the outboard motor is tilted up before the water remaining in the water collecting part  90   a  is completely drained off.  
         [0078]     The structure of water collecting part  90   a  and the ceiling portion  90   e  according to this embodiment can be used in combination with the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 through 17 .  
         [0079]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 .  FIG. 20  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the engine in the outboard motor.  FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the top cowling.  
         [0080]     The water-draining intake air guide  90  according to this embodiment has a structure similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 , except that an anti-scattering plate  200  for preventing the water from scattering is provided on the bottom cowling  701 . The anti-scattering plate  200  is disposed around the bottom of the engine  10 . The bottom cowling  701  is double-bottomed by the anti-scattering plate  200 . A water collecting part  90   a  is provided in the bottom cowling  701 , and structurally the entering water is introduced into the water collecting part  90   a.  However, there is possibility that some water may spill out of the water collecting part  90   a  due to the vacuum pressure generated by the engine  10  or vibration. Such spilled water flows into an inner base area  701   e  of the bottom cowling  701  by way of a gap  201  between the rear end of the anti-scattering plate  200  and the water collecting part  90   a,  or by way of a gap  202  between the edges of the anti-scattering plate  200  and the sides of the bottom cowling.  
         [0081]     Even when water spills out of the water collecting part  90   a,  and is trapped in the inner base area  701   e  of the bottom cowling  701  as described above, the water in the inner base area  701   e  is not scattered around or splashed onto the engine  10  because of the double-bottomed structure by the anti-scattering plate  200  extending to cover the inner base area  701   e.    
         [0082]     In order to enhance water splash containment in another embodiment, the gap between the edges of the anti-scattering plate  200  and the sides of the bottom cowling is eliminated. As such, the water is trapped in the inner base area  701   e  of the bottom cowling  701 , and the only entry/exit point (other than a drain or pump) is the gap  201  between the rear end of the anti-scattering plate  200  and the water collecting part  90   a.    
         [0083]     In another embodiment, water trapped in the inner base area  701   e  of the bottom cowling  701  is drained by a bilge pump (not shown) or other drain means.  
         [0084]     Next, another embodiment of the outboard motor will be described with reference to  FIGS. 22 and 23 .  FIG. 22  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the outboard motor.  FIG. 23  is a rear view of the top cowling.  
         [0085]     According to this embodiment, the intake passage communicates directly with the water passage in the duct  90   c  of the water-draining intake air guide  90  from the intake air duct  713  on the molding  712  independent of the flywheel magneto cover  37 . The molding  712  and the duct  90   c  of the water-draining intake air guide  90  may be formed as the separate components and connected, or may be integrated into one body to serve as the water passage. The structure according to this embodiment can be used in combination with the embodiments described in  FIGS. 1 through 21 .  
         [0086]     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.