Patent ID: 12246813

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG.1is a side view of an outboard motor100according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The outboard motor100includes an outboard motor body1and a bracket2. The outboard motor body1is attached to a marine vessel via the bracket2. The bracket2is connected to the outboard motor body1. The bracket2is attached to the marine vessel. The outboard motor body1includes a drive source3, a drive shaft4, a propeller shaft5, and a shift mechanism6.

The drive source3generates a thrust that propels the marine vessel. The drive source3is an internal combustion engine, for example. The drive source3includes a crank shaft7. The crank shaft7extends in a vertical direction of the outboard motor100. The drive shaft4is connected to the crank shaft7. The drive shaft4extends in the vertical direction of the outboard motor100. The drive shaft4extends downward from the drive source3.

The propeller shaft5extends in a front-rear direction of the outboard motor100. The propeller shaft5is connected to the drive shaft4via the shift mechanism6. A propeller8is attached to the propeller shaft5. The shift mechanism6includes a plurality of gears and a clutch. The shift mechanism6switches the transmission direction of rotation from the drive shaft4to the propeller shaft5. As a result, the forward and reverse directions of the marine vessel are switched.

The outboard motor body1includes a first case11, a second case12, and an exterior cover13. The first case11houses the drive source3. The first case11includes a base14and a cowl15. The drive source3is arranged on the base14. The base14supports the drive source3. The cowl15covers the base14and the drive source3. The cowl15is made of resin, for example. Alternatively, the cowl15may be made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel.

The second case12is arranged below the first case11. The second case12houses the propeller shaft5and the shift mechanism6. The second case12is made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The second case12includes a cavitation plate16projecting rearward. The second case12includes a lower case17and an attachment18. The attachment18is arranged on the lower case17. The attachment18is attached to the lower case17.

FIG.2is a side view of a lower portion of the outboard motor100.FIG.3is a side view of the lower portion of the outboard motor100from which the exterior cover13has been removed. As shown inFIG.3, the outboard motor body1includes a third case21. The third case21is arranged in the exterior cover13. The exterior cover13covers the third case21from the outside. The exterior cover13is made of, for example, resin. However, the exterior cover13may be made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The exterior cover13covers the third case21from the lateral side.

FIG.4is a perspective view of the lower portion of the outboard motor100from which the exterior cover13and the bracket2have been removed.FIG.5is a side view of the lower portion of the outboard motor100from which the exterior cover13and the bracket2have been removed.FIG.6is a front view of the lower portion of the outboard motor100from which the exterior cover13and the bracket2have been removed.FIG.7is a perspective view of the third case21.

As shown inFIGS.3to7, the third case21is arranged between the first case11and the second case12in the vertical direction. The base14is arranged on the third case21. The base14is attached to the third case21. The third case21is arranged on the second case12. The third case21is attached to the second case12. The third case21is made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel.

As shown inFIG.3, the outboard motor body1includes an exhaust pipe22. The exhaust pipe22is connected to the drive source3. As shown inFIG.4, the base14includes a hole23. The exhaust pipe22extends downward from the drive source3through the hole23of the base14. At least a portion of the exhaust pipe22is arranged in the third case21. As seen in the side view of the outboard motor100, at least a portion of the exhaust pipe22overlaps with the third case21.

As shown inFIG.7, the third case21includes a left case24and a right case25. The left case24and the right case25are separate bodies from each other. The left case24and the right case25are arranged apart from each other in a left-right direction of the outboard motor100. The exhaust pipe22extends between the left case24and the right case25.

As shown inFIG.2, the bracket2rotatably supports the outboard motor body1around a steering axis A1. The steering axis A1extends in the vertical direction of the outboard motor100. The steering axis A1is arranged concentrically with the drive shaft4. However, the steering axis A1may be arranged away from the drive shaft4. The bracket2includes a tilt shaft26. The tilt shaft26extends in the left-right direction of the outboard motor100. The tilt shaft26is rotatably supported by the marine vessel.

The bracket2includes a first connector27and a second connector28. The first connector27and the second connector28are connected to the outboard motor body1. The first connector27and the second connector28are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction. The second connector28is arranged below the first connector27. The first connector27is rotatably supported by the third case21around the steering axis A1. The second connector28is rotatably supported by the third case21around the steering axis A1.

As shown inFIG.3, the first connector27is supported by the third case21via the first support member29. The first support member29rotatably supports the first connector27around the steering axis A1. The first support member29is attached to the third case21. As shown inFIG.4, the third case21includes a first upper mount47and a second upper mount48. The first support member29is attached to the first upper mount47and the second upper mount48. The first upper mount47is provided on the left case24. The second upper mount48is provided on the right case25.

The second connector28is supported by the third case21via the second support member30. The second support member30rotatably supports the second connector28around the steering axis A1. The second support member30is attached to the third case21. The third case21includes a first lower mount49and a second lower mount50. The second support member30is attached to the first lower mount49and the second lower mount50. The first lower mount49is provided on the left case24. The second lower mount50is provided on the right case25.

As shown inFIG.4, the drive shaft4includes a first shaft31and a second shaft32. The first shaft31and the second shaft32are separate bodies from each other. A predetermined component33is attached to the drive shaft4. The predetermined component33is a coupling, for example. The first shaft31and the second shaft32are connected to each other by the predetermined component33. By removing the predetermined component33, the first shaft31and the second shaft32are able to be separated from each other.

The first shaft31is arranged above the predetermined component33. The first shaft31extends upward from the predetermined component33. The first shaft31extends through the first case11and is connected to the drive source3. Specifically, as shown inFIG.4, the base14includes a hole34. The first shaft31extends into the first case11through the hole34of the base14.

The second shaft32is arranged below the predetermined component33. The second shaft32extends downward from the predetermined component33. The second shaft32passes through the second case12and is connected to the shift mechanism6. Specifically, as shown inFIG.4, the attachment18includes a hole35. The hole35is provided on an upper surface of the attachment18. The hole35of the attachment18is arranged between the left case24and the right case25in the left-right direction. The second shaft32extends into the second case12through the hole35of the attachment18.

An outer shape of the predetermined component33is larger than an outer diameter of the first shaft31. The outer shape of the predetermined component33is larger than an outer diameter of the second shaft32. That is, the predetermined component33is thicker than the first shaft31. The predetermined component33is thicker than the second shaft32. The predetermined component33is arranged between the first case11and the second case12in the vertical direction.

As shown inFIG.5, the predetermined component33is arranged lower than an upper end211of the third case21. The predetermined component33is arranged higher than a lower end212of the third case21. The predetermined component33is arranged outside the third case21. The predetermined component33is arranged in front of the third case21. As shown inFIG.2, as seen in the side view of the outboard motor100, at least a portion of the predetermined component33is covered with the exterior cover13.

FIG.8is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of the drive shaft4and the predetermined component33inFIG.4. As shown inFIG.8, the outboard motor body1includes bearings36and37and a bearing housing38. The bearings36and37rotatably support the drive shaft4. The bearings36and37are arranged between the first case11and the second case12in the vertical direction. The bearings36and37are arranged outside the third case21. The bearings36and37are arranged in front of the third case21.

The bearings36and37include a first bearing36and a second bearing37. The first bearing36is arranged above the predetermined component33. The first bearing36rotatably supports the first shaft31. The second bearing37is arranged below the predetermined component33. The second bearing37rotatably supports the second shaft32.

The bearing housing38houses the bearings36and37. The bearing housing38is arranged radially outward of the bearings36and37. The bearing housing38supports the bearings36and37. The bearing housing38is arranged between the first case11and the second case12in the vertical direction. The bearing housing38is arranged outside the third case21.

The bearing housing38is arranged in front of the third case21. As shown inFIG.2, at least a portion of the bearing housing38is covered with the exterior cover13. A portion of the bearing housing38is not covered by the exterior cover13and is exposed to the outside. However, the entire bearing housing38may be covered with the exterior cover13.

At least a portion of the bearing housing38is arranged between the tilt shaft26and the cavitation plate16in the vertical direction. At least a portion of the bearing housing38is arranged lower than a center in the vertical direction between the tilt shaft26and the cavitation plate16. At least a portion of the bearing housing38is arranged between the first connector27and the second connector28in the vertical direction. At least a portion of the bearing housing38is arranged between the first and second upper mounts47and48and the first and second lower mounts49and50in the vertical direction.

The bearing housing38is a separate body from the third case21. The bearing housing38is attached to the third case21. Specifically, as shown inFIG.7, the third case21includes a fixing portion39to fix the bearing housing38. The fixing portion39is arranged on a surface of the third case21. The fixing portion39is arranged on a front surface of the third case21. The bearing housing38is detachably fixed to the fixing portion39. The bearing housing38is fixed to the fixing portion39by bolts, for example.

Specifically, the fixing portion39includes a first upper fixing portion41, a second upper fixing portion42, a first lower fixing portion43, and a second lower fixing portion44. The first upper fixing portion41and the second upper fixing portion42are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first lower fixing portion43and the second lower fixing portion44are arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first upper fixing portion41and the first lower fixing portion43are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction. The first upper fixing portion41and the first lower fixing portion43are provided on the left case24. The second upper fixing portion42and the second lower fixing portion44are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction. The second upper fixing portion42and the second lower fixing portion44are provided on the right case25.

The bearing housing38includes a first bearing housing45and a second bearing housing46. The first bearing housing45and the second bearing housing46are separate bodies from each other. The first bearing housing45is arranged above the predetermined component33. The first bearing housing45accommodates the first bearing36. The second bearing housing46is arranged below the predetermined component33. The second bearing housing46accommodates the second bearing37.

As shown inFIG.8, the first bearing housing45includes a first inner housing51, a first outer housing52, and a first elastic body53. The first inner housing51is in contact with the first bearing36. The first bearing36is arranged between the first inner housing51and the first shaft31. The first outer housing52is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the first inner housing51.

The first inner housing51includes a first housing step71. The first housing step71projects radially inward from an inner surface of the first inner housing51. The first shaft31includes a first shaft step72. The first shaft step72projects radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the first shaft31. The first bearing36is arranged between the first housing step71and the first shaft step72in the vertical direction. The first bearing36is prevented from coming off in the vertical direction by the first housing step71and the first shaft step72.

The first elastic body53is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The first elastic body53is arranged between the first inner housing51and the first outer housing52. Due to the elastic deformation of the first elastic body53, the first inner housing51is able to move relative to the first outer housing52in the axial direction of the drive shaft4. Therefore, the first bearing housing45movably supports the first bearing36in the axial direction of the drive shaft4. By elastically deforming the first elastic body53, the first inner housing51is able to move relative to the first outer housing52in the radial direction of the drive shaft4. Therefore, the first bearing housing45movably supports the first bearing36in the radial direction of the drive shaft4.

The first bearing housing45includes a first upper seal54and a first lower seal55. The first upper seal54is arranged above the first bearing36. The first lower seal55is arranged below the first bearing36. The first upper seal54and the first lower seal55seal a space between the first inner housing51and the first bearing36. The space between the first inner housing51and the first bearing36is filled with a lubricant such as grease.

The second bearing housing46preferably has the same structure as the first bearing housing45. Specifically, the second bearing housing46includes a second inner housing56, a second outer housing57, and a second elastic body58. The second inner housing56is in contact with the second bearing37. The second bearing37is arranged between the second inner housing56and the second shaft32. The second outer housing57is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the second inner housing56.

The second inner housing56includes a second housing step73. The second housing step73projects radially inward from an inner surface of the second inner housing56. The second shaft32includes a second shaft step74. The second shaft step74projects radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the second shaft32. The second bearing37is arranged between the second housing step73and the second shaft step74in the vertical direction. The second bearing37is prevented from coming off in the vertical direction by the second housing step73and the second shaft step74.

The second elastic body58is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The second elastic body58is arranged between the second inner housing56and the second outer housing57. Due to the elastic deformation of the second elastic body58, the second inner housing56is able to move relative to the second outer housing57in the axial direction of the drive shaft4. Therefore, the second bearing housing46movably supports the second bearing37in the axial direction of the drive shaft4. Due to the elastic deformation of the second elastic body58, the second inner housing56is able to move relative to the second outer housing57in the radial direction of the drive shaft4. Therefore, the second bearing housing46movably supports the second bearing37in the radial direction of the drive shaft4.

The second bearing housing46includes a second upper seal59and a second lower seal60. The second upper seal59is arranged above the second bearing37. The second lower seal60is arranged below the second bearing37. The second upper seal59and the second lower seal60seal a space between the second inner housing56and the second bearing37. The space between the second inner housing56and the second bearing37is filled with a lubricant such as grease.

As shown inFIG.4, the first bearing housing45includes a first upper boss61and a second upper boss62. As shown inFIG.6, the first upper boss61and the second upper boss62are connected to the first outer housing52. The first upper boss61is arranged on the left side of the first outer housing52. The second upper boss62is arranged on the right side of the first outer housing52. The first upper boss61and the second upper boss62are detachably attached to the third case21by bolts65and66, for example.

Specifically, the first upper boss61is fixed to the first upper fixing portion41of the third case21by the bolt65. The second upper boss62is fixed to the second upper fixing portion42of the third case21by the bolt66. As a result, the first bearing housing45is detachably attached to the third case21.

The second bearing housing46includes a first lower boss63and a second lower boss64. The first lower boss63and the second lower boss64are connected to the second outer housing57. The first lower boss63is arranged on the left side of the second outer housing57. The second lower boss64is arranged on the right side of the second outer housing57. The first lower boss63and the second lower boss64are detachably attached to the third case21by bolts67and68, for example.

Specifically, the first lower boss63is fixed to the first lower fixing portion43of the third case21by the bolt67. The second lower boss64is fixed to the second lower fixing portion44of the third case21by the bolt68. As a result, the second bearing housing46is detachably attached to the third case21.

In the outboard motor100according to the present preferred embodiment, the bearing housing38is arranged between the first case11and the second case12in the vertical direction and outside the third case21. Therefore, drive shafts having different specifications are able to be supported via the bearing housing38without additional processing to the third case21. As a result, it is easy to meet various specifications of the drive shaft4, and the manufacturing process is able to be simplified. Further, the bearing housing38is attached to the third case21from the outside of the third case21. Therefore, the ease of assembly of the outboard motor100is improved.

The bearing housing38movably supports the bearings36and37. Therefore, even if the drive shaft4is displaced from the mounting position of the drive shaft4in the first case11at the time of assembling the outboard motor100, the drive shaft4is able to be easily assembled to the first case11.

Since the bearing housing38is arranged outside the third case21, access to the bearing housing38is easy. Therefore, for example, maintenance work such as replenishing the bearing housing38with lubricating oil is able to be easily performed without removing the drive shaft4. As a result, maintainability is improved.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above preferred embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The structure of the outboard motor100is not limited to that of the above preferred embodiments, and may be modified. For example, the drive source3is not limited to the internal combustion engine, and may be an electric motor. Alternatively, the drive source3may be a hybrid of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

The structure of the first case11, the second case12, or the third case21is not limited to that of the above preferred embodiments, and may be modified. For example, the lower case17and the attachment18may be integral. The left case24and the right case25may be integral. The third case21may be a cast product. In that case, the exhaust passage may be located inside the third case21instead of the exhaust pipe22of the above preferred embodiments.

The predetermined component33is not limited to the coupling, and may be another component such as a generator. The position of the predetermined component33is not limited to the front of the third case21, and may be arranged on a lateral side or rearward of the third case21. Alternatively, the predetermined component33may be omitted.

The positions of the bearings36and37and the bearing housing38are not limited to those of the above preferred embodiments, and may be changed. For example, the bearings36and37and the bearing housing38are not limited to the front of the third case21, but may be arranged on a lateral side or rearward of the third case21. At least a portion of the bearing housing38may be arranged higher than the center in the vertical direction between the tilt shaft26and the cavitation plate16.

The structure of the bearings36and37and the bearing housing38is not limited to that of the above preferred embodiments, and may be modified. For example, the first bearing housing45and the second bearing housing46are not limited to separate bodies, but may be integrated. The number of bearings36and37is not limited to two, and may be one or more than two.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.