Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6309267
-
Patent Number
6,309,267
-
Date Filed
Monday, May 1, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 30, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Knobbe, Martens, Olson & Bear, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 440 76
- 440 77
- 440 84
- 123 195 R
- 123 195 P
- 123 195 HC
- 123 336
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An outboard motor includes various protective covers for engine components. The outboard motor can include a protective cover for electrical wires which extend around an outer periphery of the engine, so as to protect the wires from being inadvertently dislodged when installing or removing an upper cowling. The outboard motor may also include a protective sleeve extending vertically, and through which wires are arranged to prevent the wires from contacting water which may collect in a lower portion of a powerhead of the outboard motor. Additionally, the outboard motor can also include a protective casing for electrical components including relays, fuses, and associated connectors. The protective casing includes a main storage portion and a substorage portion. The main storage portion includes a lid and is configured to have a watertight seal around only a portion of its outer periphery. The substorage portion includes a lid separate from the lid of the main portion, and includes a substantially watertight seal around substantially its entire periphery. The main storage portion is used for protecting electrical components that are substantially waterproof. The substorage portion, on the other hand, is used for storing nonwaterproof electrical components, such as certain fuses and relays.
Description
PRIORITY INFORMATION
This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 11-126404, filed May 6, 1999, and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-127853, filed May 10, 1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an outboard motor for a watercraft, and more particularly to a protective covering system for components of an engine in a marine outboard motor.
2. Description of Related Art
As is well known, outboard motors generally include a powerhead that consists of a powering internal combustion engine and a surrounding protective cowling. The cowling is provided around the engine so as to provide a neater appearance, to protect the engine from foreign materials, as well as for aerodynamic considerations. Of course, it is necessary that the protective cowling have an inlet opening arrangement so that air can enter the protective cowling in adequate quantities for combustion purposes. This gives rise to a number of problems.
First, it is important that the cowling inlet opening be positioned and configured to allow air flow to the engine that is adequate for the desired output from the engine. However, during operation in a body of water, water is frequently sprayed upwardly into the proximity of the inlet opening. Thus, it is desirable to provide insurance against the ingestion of water through the inlet opening into the interior of the protective cowling, to prevent damage to the engine.
Although the goal of preventing water from entering the protective cowling of an outboard motor is important, achieving this goal is complicated. Additionally, it is desirable to provide the powerhead with a slim profile and to avoid making the powerhead excessively tall. Accordingly, the upper cowling desirably is sized and shaped to fit tightly around the outer contours of the internal combustion engine provided in the outboard motor and to create a symmetric flow of air around the engine. Thus, the space available for air induction and water separation is quite restricted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a protective cover for an internal combustion engine provided within an outboard motor that has a compact arrangement. It is desirable that the cover is less expensive and easier to manufacture and service than known covers.
One aspect of the present invention includes the realization that the fuel injectors of known fuel-injected outboard motors have been inadequately protected from water entering the protective cowling. In particular, it has been found that even small amounts of salt water contacting fuel injectors can heavily damage the fuel injector over time.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a fuel injected internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft, and is mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine includes at least a first fuel injector extending from the engine body transverse to the vertical axis. A first cover that is independent of the cowling, extends over the first fuel injector. As such, the cover provides enhanced protection from water damage. Preferably, the cover also extends along at least one side of the fuel injector. As such, the cover is particularly useful for V-type engines.
For example, the outboard motor may include an engine having two cylinder banks, forming a valley therebetween, each bank having a plurality of cylinders and corresponding fuel injectors. Each of the fuel injectors has an inner side facing the valley and an outer side facing away from the valley. Preferably, the cover extends along the outer sides of the fuel injectors. Thus, while the inner side of the fuel injectors are partially shielded by the valley and other engine components provided therein, e.g., the exhaust system, the outer side is protected from splashing water by the cover. Additionally, by constructing the cover so that it is independent of the cowling, the cover may remain in place when the protective cowling is removed. This is particularly useful because, when the protective cowling of an outboard motor is removed, there may be water droplets adhered to the inner and/or outer surface of the protective cowling. Thus, when the protective cowling is raised over the engine during a removal process, the water droplets may drain off the protective cowling onto the engine. Thus, by constructing the cover so as to extend over the fuel injectors, the cover prevents the fuel injectors from incurring further water damage.
Another aspect of the present invention includes the realization that electrical wires that extend substantially horizontally around an outer periphery of the engine body may be inadvertently dislodged when a protective cowling is being reinstalled on an outboard motor. For example, protective cowlings typically include hooks or clips on a lower peripheral edge which are configured to engage a lower cowling of the outboard motor. Thus, when the upper cowling is being lowered over the internal combustion engine, the hooks or clips may engage a portion of any electrical wire that extends substantially horizontally and around an outer periphery of the engine and thereby dislodge the wire, thus making it more difficult to install the protective cowling onto the outboard motor.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft and is mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine also includes a plurality of electrical components and at least a first electrical wire extending between two of the electrical components. At least a portion of the first electrical wire extends transversely to the vertical axis and along an outer periphery of the engine body. The outboard motor also includes a cover covering the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire. Thus, the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire is prevented from becoming engaged with a hook or clip formed on the protective cowling.
For example, an ignition wire of an internal combustion engine provided in an outboard motor extends between an ignition coil and a spark plug of the engine. Desirably, ignition wires are arranged around an outer periphery of the engine body so as to protect the ignition wires from the heat generated by the engine and to prevent potential grounding, due to the high voltages and currents which pass through ignition wires. Thus, ignition wires can be particularly susceptible to being caught in a hook or clip provided on the lower edge of a protective cowling when the cowling is being lowered over the engine. If the ignition wire is caught by the upper cowling as it is lowered over the engine, the ignition wire may be pulled out of engagement with the spark plug, for example, thereby preventing the proper operation of the engine. Thus, a user may be required to repeatedly remove and install the cowling to the outboard motor.
Another aspect of the invention includes a realization that where electrical wires extend in proximity to a fuel supply line, electrical current may leak through the insulation of the wire as well as the walls of the fuel line and undesirably heat the fuel or cause malfunction of the fuel injectors.
Accordingly, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft, the engine body being mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine includes at least a first charge former configured to deliver a fuel charge to the engine body. A fuel supply line supplies fuel to the charge former. The outboard motor also includes a plurality of electrical components and at least a first electrical wire connecting the electrical components and extending transverse to the fuel supply line. The outboard motor also includes a cover covering at least a portion of the fuel supply line and the first electrical wire such that the electrical wire extends between the cover and the fuel supply line. The cover also includes at least a first engagement device provided on the cover which is configured to engage the first electrical wire and maintain the first electrical wire in spaced relation to the fuel supply line.
By providing a cover which covers the first electrical wire and maintains a spaced relationship between the wire and the fuel supply line, the outboard motor according to the present aspect of the invention provides several advantages. For example, the cover protects the first electrical wire from damage and/or engagement with the cowling. For example, as described above, by covering the first electrical wire, the cowling is prevented from engaging the wire and perhaps dislodging the wire. Additionally, by configuring the cover to maintain a spaced relation between the wire and the fuel supply line, leakage of the electricity from the wire is prevented from passing into the fuel in the fuel supply line and/or prevented from passing to the fuel injector which is fed by the fuel supply line.
An outboard motor constructed in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine. The engine includes an engine body and an output shaft, the engine body being mounted such that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis. The engine includes first and second protective casings. The first protective casing includes a water-tight seal along at least an upper peripheral edge and houses electrical components that are substantially waterproof. The second protective casing includes a substantially water-tight seal along substantially its entire periphery and includes at least one electrical component that is not waterproof. By providing the outboard motor with two protective casings as such, the cost, complexity, and difficult in servicing the outboard motor is reduced.
Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments of the present protective covering system for components of an outboard motor. The illustrated embodiments of the system are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. The drawings contain the following figures:
FIG. 1
is a side elevational view of an outboard motor which can include an engine (shown in phantom) having a cover configured in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the illustrated outboard motor being mounted to a transom of a watercraft (shown partially in section);
FIG. 2
is a top plan and partial cutaway view of the outboard motor shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a top, rear, and left side perspective and partial cutaway view of the outboard motor shown in
FIG. 1
illustrating protective covers connected to each cylinder bank, the left side cover being shown in an exploded view;
FIG. 4
is an elevational view of one of the covers illustrated in
FIG. 3
as viewed along the direction indicated by arrow
4
;
FIG. 5
is an elevational view of the cover illustrated in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 6
is a bottom plan view of the cover illustrated in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 7
is a top plan view of the cover illustrated in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 7A
is an enlarged elevational view of a slot included on the cover as viewed along line, illustrated in
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 8
is an elevational view illustrating the inner surface of the cover shown in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 9
is a partial rear elevational view of the engine of the outboard motor shown in
FIG. 2 and a
protective tube;
FIG. 10
is a rear elevational view of an electronic control unit connected to the engine shown in
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 11
is a side elevational view of a modification of the outboard motor shown in
FIG. 1
, with the protective cowling removed and illustrating a protective casing for electric components having outer cover members;
FIG. 12
is a front elevational view of the protective casing illustrated in
FIG. 12
with the outer cover members removed.
FIG. 13
is a top plan view of the protective casing illustrated in FIG.
11
;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
An improved protective covering system for an outboard motor is disclosed herein. The covering system includes an improved design for protecting various components of an engine of an outboard motor.
With reference to
FIG. 1
, an outboard motor constructed in accordance with the present invention is identified generally by the reference numeral
10
. The outboard motor is comprised of a powerhead indicated generally by the reference numeral
12
. The powerhead
12
comprises an internal combustion engine
14
, shown in phantom, and is mounted to the upper end of a propulsion unit
16
.
The propulsion unit
16
includes a drive shaft housing
18
and a lower unit
20
which may be formed integrally or from two separate parts. The illustrated embodiment shows the drive shaft housing
18
as being separate from the lower unit
20
. Typically, the drive shaft housing
18
is formed as a casting of a lightweight material such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The lower unit
20
is provided at the lower end of the drive shaft housing
18
.
The engine
14
in the illustrated embodiment is a fuel injected, V-type, six-cylinder, two-stroke crankcase compression engine. This engine type, however, is merely exemplary. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be practiced with a variety of other engine types having other numbers of cylinders, having other cylinder configurations (in-line or W-type) and operating on other combustion principles (e.g., four-stroke and rotary principles).
The engine
14
is supported on a lower tray or lower cowling
22
which forms a portion of the protective cowling that encircles and protects the engine
14
. The cowling is completed by an upper cowling member
24
which is detachably affixed to the lower cowling
22
with a number of hooks
26
,
28
as is well known in the art.
With reference to
FIG. 2
, the illustrated embodiment of the outboard motor
10
includes three hooks, i.e., two rear hooks
26
and a single front hook
28
. The construction of the hooks
26
,
28
is well known in the art and thus, a further description of the hooks
26
,
28
is not necessary for one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed herein.
With reference to
FIG. 1
, the engine
14
is oriented in the powerhead
12
such that its output shaft
30
rotates about a generally vertically extending axis. The output shaft
30
is coupled in a known manner to a driveshaft (not shown) that depends through the driveshaft housing
18
and into the lower unit
20
. The driveshaft is journaled in any suitable manner. At its lower end, the driveshaft is coupled to a forward, neutral, reverse transmission (not shown). The driveshaft terminates in a gear set which transmits torque from the vertically extending driveshaft to a horizontally extending impeller shaft (not shown). A propeller
32
is driven by the impeller shaft.
The transmission, of which the details are not shown, is controlled in a known manner by a shift rod which is journaled for rotatable support in the lower unit
20
. The shift rod is connected to a shift cam for actuation of the transmission in a known manner. The transmission couples the driveshaft to the impeller shaft on which the propeller
32
is affixed so as to rotate about a propeller axis in a known manner. The preferred embodiment illustrates an outboard motor with a conventional propeller
32
. Nevertheless, any propulsion device can be utilized with the present invention.
The engine
14
is preferably water cooled and the water for the cooling system is drawn from the body of water in which the outboard motor
10
is operating. The cooling water is emitted through a water inlet opening formed in lower unit
20
. A water pump (not shown) is mounted at the interface between the driveshaft housing
18
and the lower unit
20
and is driven by the driveshaft in a known manner. The water pump draws water through the inlet and delivers it upwardly to the engine
14
through a water supply conduit (not shown).
With reference to
FIG. 1
, the outboard motor
10
also includes a clamping bracket
34
which is adapted to engage the rear of a transom
36
of an associated watercraft
38
. A clamping device (not shown) such as a transom screw is also carried by the clamping bracket
34
and cooperates to affix the clamping bracket
34
to the transom
36
in a well known matter.
A steering shaft
40
is attached to the outboard motor
10
by upper and lower bracket assemblies (not shown) in a known manner. The steering shaft is supported for steering movement within a swivel bracket so as to pivot about a vertical steering axis. The steering axis is juxtaposed slightly forward of the driveshaft axis
46
. A tiller or steering arm may be affixed to the upper end of the steering shaft for steering the upward motor
10
through an arc. The swivel bracket is connected by a pivot pin
42
to the bracket
34
. The pivot pin
42
permits tilt and trim movement of the swivel bracket and the outboard motor
10
relative to the transom
36
of the watercraft
38
.
A hydraulic tilt and trim mechanism (not shown) may also be pivotally connected between the swivel bracket and the clamping bracket
34
, for effecting the hydraulic tilt and trim movement, and for permitting the outboard motor
10
to pop up when an underwater obstacle is struck. As is well known, these types of hydraulic mechanisms permit the outboard motor
10
to return to its previous trim position once such an underwater obstacle is cleared.
With reference to
FIG. 2
, the construction of the engine
14
will now be described in more detail. As has been noted, the engine
14
is a V-type engine and, accordingly, includes an engine body
43
defining a cylinder block
44
having a pair of angularly related cylinder banks
46
,
48
, each of which is formed with a plurality of horizontally extending cylinder bores
50
,
52
. The cylinder bores
50
,
52
may be formed from thin liners that are either cast or otherwise secured in place within the cylinder banks
46
,
48
. Alternatively, the cylinder bores
50
,
52
may be formed directly in the base material of the cylinder banks
46
,
48
. If a light alloy casting is employed for the cylinder banks
46
,
48
, such liners can be used.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cylinder banks
46
,
48
each include three cylinder bores
50
,
52
. Since the engine
14
is a V-type engine, the cylinder bores
50
,
52
and each cylinder bank preferably are staggered with respect to one another.
Because of the angular inclination between the cylinder banks
46
,
48
, as is typical with V-type engine practice, a valley
53
is formed between the cylinder banks
46
,
48
. A longitudinal axis
55
bisects the valley
53
.
With reference to
FIG. 2
, pistons
54
,
56
are supported for reciprocation in the cylinder bores
50
,
52
, respectively. Piston pins connect to the pistons
54
,
56
to respective connecting rods
58
,
60
. At their lower ends, the connecting rods
58
,
60
are rotatably journaled to a crankshaft
30
which forms the output shaft
30
of the engine
14
.
The crankshaft
30
is, in turn, rotatably journaled to rotate within a crankcase chamber
62
. The crankcase chamber
62
is defined at the forward end of engine body
43
by a crankcase member
64
connected to a forward end of the cylinder block
44
. The connecting rods
58
,
60
, as is typical in V-type practice, may be journaled in side-by-side relationship on adjacent throws of the crankshaft
30
. That is, pairs of cylinders
50
,
52
, one from each cylinder bank
46
,
48
, may have the big ends of their connecting rods
58
,
60
journaled in side-by-side relationship on adjacent crankshaft throws. This is one reason why the cylinder bores
50
,
52
of the cylinder banks
46
,
48
are staggered relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, however, separate throws are provided for the cylinders of each of the cylinder banks
46
,
48
. The throw pairs are nevertheless disposed between main bearings (not shown) of the crankshaft
30
to maintain a compact construction.
At the rear end of the engine body
43
, the cylinder bores
50
,
52
are closed by cylinder head assemblies
66
,
68
, respectively. The cylinder head assemblies
66
,
68
are provided with individual recesses which cooperate with the respective cylinder bores
50
,
52
and the heads of the pistons
54
,
56
to form combustion chambers
70
,
72
, respectively. These recesses are surrounded by lower cylinder head surface that is planar and held in sealing engagement with either the cylinder banks
46
,
48
or with a cylinder head gasket (not shown) interposed therebetween, in a known manner. These planar surfaces of the cylinder head assemblies
66
,
68
may partially override the cylinder bores
50
,
52
to provide a squish area, if desired. The cylinder head assemblies
66
,
68
are affixed in any suitable manner to the cylinder banks
46
,
48
.
An induction system for the engine
14
, indicated generally by the reference numeral
78
, is positioned on the forward end of the engine
14
. The induction system
78
includes an air silencing and inlet device. The inlet device is contained within the cowling and preferably has a rearwardly facing inlet opening through which air is introduced. Air is admitted into the interior of the cowling in a known manner, and this is primarily through at least one air inlet
80
that has a construction which is generally well known in the art.
The air inlet device supplies air into at least one throttle body which may be formed integrally with an intake manifold. Each throttle body includes a throttle valve which may be in the form of a butterfly-type valve. If a plurality of throttle bodies are used, the throttle valves are linked to each other for simultaneous opening and closing of the throttle valves in a manner that is well known in the art.
As is also typical in two-cycle engine practice, reed-type check valves (not shown) control the induction of air from the intake manifold into the crankcase chamber
62
. These check valves permit the air to flow into individual sections of the crankcase chamber when the pistons are moving upwardly in their respective cylinder bores
50
,
52
. However, as the pistons
54
,
56
move downwardly, the charge will be compressed in the sections of the crankcase chamber. At that time, the reed-type check valve will close so as to cause the charge to be compressed. In addition, a lubricant pump may be provided for spraying lubricants stored in a lubricant tank (not shown) into the crankcase chamber
62
and/or the throttle body for purposes of engine lubrication. Although it is not shown, some forms of direct lubrication may also be employed for delivering lubricant directly to certain components of the engine
14
.
A charge which is compressed in the sections of the crankcase chamber
62
is then transferred to the combustion chambers
70
,
72
through a scavenging system (not shown) in a manner that is well known.
A sparkplug
82
,
84
is mounted in each cylinder head assembly
66
,
68
for each cylinder bore
50
,
52
. An electronic control unit (ECU)
86
receives certain signals for controlling the timing of firing of the sparkplugs
82
,
84
in accordance with any desired control strategy.
The sparkplugs
82
,
84
ignite a fuel air charge that is formed by mixing fuel directly with the intake air via a fuel injector
88
,
90
, one of which is connected to each combustion chamber
70
,
72
. The fuel injectors
88
,
90
are solenoid type injectors and are electrically operated. They are mounted directly into the cylinder head
66
,
68
so as to provide optimum fuel vaporization under all running conditions.
Fuel is supplied to the fuel injectors
88
,
90
by a fuel supply system. The fuel supply system is composed of a main fuel supply tank (not shown) that is typically provided in the hull of the watercraft
38
with which the outboard motor
10
is associated. Fuel is drawn from this tank through a conduit by a pump and is delivered to a vapor separator. From the vapor separator, a high pressure electric fuel pump supplies pressurized fuel to a pair of fuel rails
92
,
94
at a pressure of, for example, 50-100 kg/cm
2
or more. As is well known in the art, the high pressure fuel pump may be electrically or mechanically driven.
The pressure in the fuel rails
92
,
94
is regulated by a high pressure regulator (not shown) which dumps fuel back to the vapor separator through a pressure relief line in which a fuel heat exchanger or cooler desirably is provided.
After the fuel charge has been formed in the combustion chamber
70
,
72
by injection of fuel from the fuel injectors
88
,
90
, the charge is ignited by firing the sparkplugs
82
,
84
, as noted above. The injection timing and duration, as well as control for the timing of the firing of the sparkplugs
82
,
84
, are controlled by the ECU
86
.
Once the charge burns and expands, the pistons are driven downwardly within the cylinder bores
50
,
52
until the pistons
54
,
56
reach their lowermost position. As the pistons
54
,
56
are driven downwardly, exhaust ports
96
,
98
are uncovered so as to open communication with an exhaust manifold
100
formed in the cylinder block
44
.
The exhaust gases flow through the exhaust passages to collector sections of the exhaust manifold
100
. These exhaust manifold collector sections communicate with the exhaust passages formed in an exhaust guide plate (not shown) on which the engine
14
is mounted.
With reference to
FIG. 1
, the engine
14
discharges the exhaust gases from the exhaust manifold
100
and down into a silencing arrangement provided with an internal cavity in the driveshaft housing
18
through an exhaust pipe (not shown). The exhaust pipe extends into an expansion chamber formed at the rear of the driveshaft housing, also not shown. The expansion chamber terminates at its lower end in an exhaust gas discharge formed in the lower unit
20
for delivering the exhaust gases to the atmosphere, through the body of water in which the associated watercraft
38
is operating. Although the preferred embodiment illustrates an exhaust passage through the hub, any type of conventional above the water exhaust gas discharge may be used with the present invention. For example, the exhaust discharge may include an underwater, high speed exhaust gas discharge and an above-the-water, low speed exhaust gas discharge.
Any type of desired control strategy can be employed for controlling the time and duration of fuel injection from the fuel injectors
88
,
90
and the timing of the firing of the sparkplugs
82
,
84
. It is to be understood that those skilled in the art will readily understand how various control strategies can be employed in conjunction with the components of the invention.
The control for the fuel/air ratio preferably includes a feedback control system. Thus, a combustion condition sensor, such as an air/fuel ratio sensor box (not shown) can be provided to sense the in-cylinder combustion conditions by sensing the air/fuel ratio of the fuel/air mixture delivered to the cylinder bores
50
,
52
. For example, the sensor box may be in the form of an oxygen sensor which senses the in-cylinder combustion products conditions by sensing the residual amount of oxygen in the combustion products at a time near the time when the exhaust port is open. An output signal produced by the sensor box is directed to the ECU
86
by an electric conduit or wire. Engine load, as determined by a throttle angle of the throttle valve contained in the induction system
78
, is sensed by a throttle position sensor (not shown) which outputs a throttle position or a load signal to the ECU
86
via an electrical wire or conduit (not shown). Preferably there is also provided a fuel pressure sensor (not shown) communicating with a fuel supply line such as the fuel rails
92
,
94
. This pressure sensor outputs a high pressure fuel signal to the ECU
86
via an electrical conduit or wire (not shown).
There also may be provided a water temperature sensor which outputs a cooling water temperature signal to the ECU
86
via an electrical control conduit or wire (not shown). Further, an intake air temperature sensor may be provided to generate and direct an intake air temperature signal to the ECU
86
(via an electrical conduit or wire).
There is also provided a crank angle position sensor (not shown) associated with the crankshaft
30
, which when measuring crank angle versus time, outputs an engine speed signal to the ECU
86
via an electrical wire or conduit (not shown).
Conditions sensed by the various sensors are merely some of those conditions which may be sensed for engine control and it is, of course, practicable to provide other sensors such as, for example, but without limitation, an engine height sensor, a trim ankle sensor, a knock sensor, a neutral sensor, a watercraft pitch sensor, and an atmosphere temperature sensor in accordance with various control strategies.
The ECU
86
, as has been noted, outputs signals to the fuel injectors
88
,
90
, sparkplugs
82
,
84
, and the high pressure fuel pump, for example, for their respective control. Preferably, a separate fuel injection controller
89
is provided for controlling fuel injection and duration. In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel injection controller
89
output signals to the fuel injectors
88
,
90
according to any known control strategy. These control signals are carried by respective control lines which are not shown in the figures, however, but which are well known in the art. In the illustrated example, as shown in
FIG. 3
, a separate ignition coil
102
,
104
is provided for each sparkplug
82
,
84
. An ignition wire
106
,
108
extends between each ignition coil
102
,
104
and each sparkplug
82
,
84
, respectively. As shown in
FIG. 3
, at least a portion of each ignition wire
106
,
108
, extends substantially horizontally around an outer periphery of the engine body
43
.
In order to protect the ignition wires
106
,
108
, covers
110
,
112
are also provided, the construction of which will be described in detail below.
FIG. 3
illustrates the cover
112
being connected to the fuel rail
92
while the cover
110
is removed from the fuel rail
94
.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, each of the covers
110
,
112
is formed of sidewalls
114
,
116
and an upper wall
118
, together defining an outer surface of the cover
110
. The construction of the cover
112
is essentially identical to that of the construction of the cover
110
. Thus, the reference numerals used to indicate the various components of the cover
112
are the same as those used to identify the corresponding components of the cover
110
, however, a “′” has been added. Additionally, since the cover
112
is used to cover the fuel rail
92
which is on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis
76
, the construction of the cover
112
is a mirror image of the construction of the cover
110
. Thus, the following description of the cover
110
is sufficient for one of ordinary skill in the art to understand show to practice the invention.
FIG. 4
illustrates a side elevational view of the cover
110
as viewed along the direction indicated by arrow
4
illustrated in FIG.
3
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the sidewall
114
of the cover
110
includes receptacles
120
. The receptacles
120
comprise slots in the wall
114
having an open end
122
along a free edge
124
of the wall
114
. The receptacles
120
also include beads
126
formed between the open ends
122
and the inner ends
128
of the receptacles
120
.
Preferably, the beads
126
are sized so as to form constrictions
130
within the receptacles
120
. The constrictions
130
may be configured so as to engage an ignition wire or other electrical wire. For example, an ignition wire typically has insulation around an outer surface of an electrical conduit. The size of the constrictions
130
preferably are slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insulation on the ignition wires
106
in a relaxed state. Thus, the ignition wires
106
can be moved into the receptacles
120
between the restrictions
130
and the closed ends
128
of the receptacles
120
such that the receptacles
120
engage the ignition wires
106
. As such, the constrictions
130
along with the closed end
128
of the receptacles
120
form an engaging device for releasably engaging the ignition wires
106
.
With reference to
FIG. 5
, the wall
116
includes a free edge
132
. The wall
116
also includes a plurality of receptacles
134
which have an open end
136
along the free edge
132
of the wall
116
. The construction of the receptacles
134
may be identical to the receptacles
120
illustrated in FIG.
4
. For example, the receptacles
134
may optionally include beads forming a constriction or other features which cooperate with the receptacle
134
to form engaging devices for engaging electrical wires such as the ignition wires
106
.
With reference to
FIGS. 4
,
5
and
6
, the cover
110
also includes at least one engagement device
138
configured to connect the cover
110
to the engine
14
. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement devices
138
each comprise a pair of hooks
140
connected to the wall
114
and/or
116
. As shown in
FIG. 6
, the hooks
140
of the illustrated embodiment are formed monolithically with the walls
116
and
114
.
Free ends
142
of the hooks
140
include barbs
144
. The outer surfaces
146
of the barbs
114
are tapered inwardly. As such, as shown in
FIG. 3
, the cover
110
may be pushed onto the fuel rail
94
and engaged therewith. For example, by pushing the cover
110
toward the fuel rail
94
along the direction indicated generally by the arrows labeled A in
FIG. 3
, the tapered surfaces
146
cause the hooks
140
to move away from each other, as viewed in
FIG. 6
, as the tapered surfaces
146
contact the fuel rail
94
. After the barbs
144
have reached the opposite side of the fuel rail
94
, the hooks
140
move toward each other due to their own resiliency. For example, the hooks
140
′ illustrated on cover
112
of
FIG. 3
are shown in the fully installed state engaged with a fuel rail
92
. Of course, other engaging devices can be used to engage the covers
110
,
112
with the fuel rails
94
,
92
respectively, such as, for example, but without limitation, threaded fasteners, tabs, clips, buttons, snaps, and the like.
With reference to
FIG. 7
, the upper wall
118
of the cover
10
is shown in top plan view. Additionally, a fuel injector
88
communicating with the fuel rail
92
is illustrated schematically. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the upper wall
118
of the cover
110
extends above the upper end of the fuel rail
92
as well as at least a portion of the fuel injector
88
.
With reference to
FIG. 5
, the cover
110
also includes the projections
148
projecting from an inner surface of the cover
110
. In the illustrated embodiment, the projections
148
extend inwardly from the walls
116
,
114
. The projections
148
include a visor portion
150
. As shown in
FIG. 7
, the visor portion
150
of the projection
148
is configured to extend above at least a portion of the fuel injector
88
. Additionally, the projection
148
, in the illustrated embodiment, includes an alignment portion
152
. The alignment portion
152
aids in maintaining the alignment between the walls
114
,
116
and the fuel rail
92
as well as maintaining a gap between the fuel rail
92
and the inner surface of the walls
114
,
116
. In the illustrated embodiment, the visor portion
150
and the alignment portion
152
are formed by an L-shaped plate
154
.
With reference to
FIG. 5
, the cover
110
preferably includes one projection
148
for each fuel injector
88
formed on the corresponding cylinder bank. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5
, the cover
110
includes three projections
148
, i.e., one projection
148
for each fuel injector
88
. Thus, there is one visor portion
150
for each fuel injector
88
. As such, each visor portion
150
further protects each individual fuel injector
88
from dripping, splashing, or condensing water which may be present within the cowling
24
.
With reference to
FIG. 8
, a preferred installation of the cover
110
is illustrated therein. As shown in
FIG. 8
, the ignition wires
106
are preferably installed so as to extend through the receptacles
120
, being engaged by the beads
126
, between the hooks
140
and through the receptacles
136
. As such, the ignition wires
106
can be anchored in place and maintained in a spaced relation from the fuel rail
92
when the hooks
140
are engaged with the fuel rail
92
. Thus, the illustrated embodiment of the cover
110
achieves the dual goals of preventing the ignition wires
106
from being dislodged by the mounting hooks
26
of the cowling
24
while maintaining a gap between the ignition wires
106
and the fuel rail
92
.
With reference to
FIG. 2
, and as noted above, the ECU
86
is mounted at a rear of the valley portion
53
. Rearward from the ECU
86
, the fuel injection controller
89
is mounted for controlling injection timing and duration. As shown in
FIG. 2
, a protective sleeve
156
is mounted to the engine, rearward from the fuel injection controller
89
.
As shown in
FIG. 9
, the protective sleeve
156
extends between a lower end and an upper end of the engine
14
. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective sleeve
156
is made from a tubular ribbed material, however, any type of sleeve may be used. As shown in
FIG. 9
, a mounting bracket
158
supports the protective sleeve
156
via an upper bracket
160
and a lower bracket
162
.
With reference to
FIG. 10
, the ECU
86
is connected to the various other electronic components of the outboard motor
10
via electrical wires
164
. Preferably, the ECU
86
is oriented such that the electrical conduits extend from a lower end
166
of the ECU
86
. As shown in
FIG. 9
, the electrical wires
164
extend downwardly from the ECU
86
and may include branches, such as branches
168
,
170
and then are bent upwardly into the protective sleeve
156
. These electrical wires pass through the sleeve
156
to the upper end of the engine
14
.
With reference to
FIG. 2
, the electrical wires
14
extend from the upper end of the protective sleeve
156
to an upper end of the engine
14
. From the upper end of the protective sleeve
156
, the electric wires
164
extend to other electrical components on the upper end of the engine
14
or extend downwardly from the upper end of the engine to other electrical components that are mounted below the upper end of the engine
14
. For example, the wires
164
may extend to a starter motor (not shown), a fuel pump (not shown), and/or the other various sensors described above, such as, for example, but without limitation, an oxygen sensor, a throttle valve position sensor, an air temperature sensor, coolant temperature sensor, and the like.
By including the protective sleeve
156
as such, the electric wires
164
which extend to various electrical components of the engine are prevented from contacting water which may collect in the powerhead
12
of the outboard motor
10
. In particular, the sleeve
156
prevents wires
164
from sagging downwardly and contacting water that may collect in the lower tray or cowling
22
. Furthermore, because the protective sleeve
156
is mounted rearward from the ECU
86
and the fuel injector control
89
, the maintenance and repair of the electrical wires
164
is made easier.
As noted above, the electrical wires
164
extending from the upper end of the protective sleeve
156
may extend downwardly from the upper end of the engine
14
to further electronic devices. For example, some of the electrical wires
164
may extend to relays used to control certain components of the engine.
With reference to
FIG. 11
, an extension
172
of the protective sleeve
156
is illustrated therein. As shown in
FIG. 11
, the extension
172
extends from a rearward end of the engine
14
, and over an upper end of the cylinder head assembly
66
. The wires
164
extend from the open end of the extension
172
downwardly to other various components of the engine. For example, some of the wires
164
extend into a protective case
174
for electrical components. Additionally, other electrical wire
165
extend from a lower end of the engine
14
and upwardly into the protective case
174
.
The protective case
174
includes a main portion
176
and subportion
178
. With reference to
FIG. 12
, the main portion
176
houses electrical components which are substantially waterproof. For example, commonly available electrical components that are substantially waterproof include, but without limitation, a relay
180
for a power trim or tilt mechanism, a rectifier
182
, a relay
184
for a starter motor, and the like. As illustrated in
FIG. 12
, the substantially waterproof relays
180
,
182
,
184
are connected to various other components and electrical wires with waterproof connectors, such as, for example, but without limitation, a waterproof coupling boot
186
. Although the relays
180
,
182
,
184
are substantially waterproof, it is beneficial to house these components within a splash-proof case. In the illustrated embodiment, the main portion
176
of the protective case
174
, the construction of which will be described in detail below, acts as a splash-proof box. However, certain other kinds of electrical components including relays and fuses, are not readily available in waterproof form. Furthermore, it is expensive to construct all electrical components in a waterproof form. Thus, certain other relays and fuses are stored in the subcase
178
.
As shown in
FIG. 12
, the subcase
178
houses other relays and fuses which are useful for the operation of the engine
14
. For example, the subcase
178
houses, for example, but without limitation, a relay fuse unit
188
which includes mounting receptacles for an ECU relay
190
, a fuel system relay
192
and other fuses
194
. An extra fuse
196
is also installed to the fuse unit
188
. The relays
190
,
192
and the fuses
194
are connected to the various electrical components with electrical conduits such as the wires
164
. For example, the ECU relay
190
is connected to the ECU
86
with at least one electrical conduit included in the electrical wire
164
. Additionally, some electrical wires connect the fuses
194
and/or the relays
190
,
192
with the relays housed in the main case
176
.
With reference to
FIG. 13
, the protective case
174
comprises a main body
198
. The main body
198
includes a rear surface
200
. The case
174
preferably is mounted such that the rear surface
200
faces the engine
14
. The main body
198
is also divided into a main storage portion
202
and a substorage portion
204
. Preferably, the main storage portion
202
and the substorage portion
204
of the main body
198
are formed monolithically.
The main storage portion
202
is generally in the form of a tray having a plurality of sidewalls extending from the rear surface
200
and having an open outer side
206
. Similarly, the substorage portion
204
is also in the form of a tray having a plurality of sidewalls extending from the rear surface
200
and having an open outer side
208
. The case
174
also includes separate lids for the main storage portion
202
and the substorage portion
204
.
A main lid
210
is configured to engage the open outer side
206
of the main storage portion
202
. With reference to
FIG. 12
, the main lid
210
is preferably configured to form a substantially watertight seal at least along the upper edge
212
of the main storage portion
202
. In the illustrated embodiment, the watertight seal between the main lid
210
and the open front
206
of the main storage portion
202
extends over the upper edge
212
, along a rear edge
214
to a lower edge
216
of the main storage portion
202
. The lower edge
216
of the main storage portion
202
also includes an opening
218
through which electrical cables
164
pass into the main storage portion
202
. Thus, although the main storage portion does not include a watertight seal around its entire periphery, the main storage portion
202
remains substantially splash-proof due to the watertight connection between the lid
210
and the open outer side
206
along at least the upper edge
212
.
The substorage portion
204
includes a lid
220
which forms a substantially watertight seal around substantially an entire periphery
222
of the open outer side
208
. In order to maintain the lid
220
in sealed engagement with the open outer side
208
, the substorage portion
178
includes fasteners
224
. The construction of the fasteners
224
may be in the form of springloaded one-touch clips, threaded fasteners, and/or the like. The construction of such fasteners is well known in the art and thus, a further explanation of the construction of the fasteners
224
is not necessary for one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention.
On a rear end
226
, of the substorage portion
204
an aperture
228
is provided through which certain electrical cables extend. For example, electrical cables
164
extend from other electrical components such as the ECU
86
, through the aperture
228
and into the substorage portion
178
to any one of the relays
190
,
192
and/or fuses
194
. Other wires extend from these devices
190
,
192
,
194
through the aperture
228
and perhaps into contact with other relays
180
,
182
,
184
in the main case
176
. Alternatively, other electrical wires may extend directly from the aperture
228
to the opening
218
and extend downwardly from the main casing portion
176
, such as the electrical wires
230
for example. The electrical wires
230
then extend to other various electronic components which are connected to the relays
180
,
182
,
184
,
190
,
192
or fuses
194
, for example.
In order to provide a substantially watertight seal between the aperture
228
and the electrical wires extending through the aperture
228
, a grommet
232
is provided in the aperture
228
, the construction of which is well known in the art.
Preferably, as illustrated in
FIG. 12
, the open outer side
208
and the lid
220
are configured such that the aperture
228
falls within the main case
176
. As such, the aperture
228
is further protected from splashing or condensing water vapor that may be present in the powerhead
12
.
By constructing the case
174
with two compartments, i.e., the main portion
176
having a watertight seal around only a portion of its outer periphery and subcase
178
having a substantially watertight seal around substantially its entire periphery, the present case
174
provides several advantages. For example, although several electrical components are widely available in waterproof form, such as the tilt/trim relay
180
, the rectifier
182
, and the starter motor relay
184
, not every electrical component is available in such a waterproof form. Additionally, it is desirable to use components which are appropriate for any type of internal combustion engine. Thus, a combination of waterproof and nonwaterproof electrical components allows a manufacturer of an outboard motor to reduce costs associated with waterproof electronic components. Additionally, providing all electrical components, waterproof and nonwaterproof, within a watertight box is costly. Thus, by constructing an electrical component box with a main splash-proof portion which does not include a watertight seal around its entire periphery and a subportion which includes a substantially watertight seal around substantially its entire periphery, the present invention reduces the cost associated with protecting electronic components.
Furthermore, by using two independent covers for the main portion
176
and the subportion
178
, is easier to service the electrical system. For example, because the available space within the cowling
24
of a powerhead
12
is quite limited, various engine components must be arranged with tight spacing. Additionally, wires, cables, rods, and various covers may overlap one another, thus making the servicing of an individual component more difficult. However, by constructing the protective case
174
with two independent covers
210
,
220
, it has been found that it is easier to service the electrical components contained therein because the lids
210
,
220
are smaller than a single lid which would cover both the main portion
176
and the subportion
178
.
Additionally, by arranging the electrical wires, such as the wires
164
,
230
so that they extend into the main portion
176
through a lower edge
216
, it is less likely that water may travel along one of the electrical wires
164
,
230
by surface tension, for example, and into the interior the main portion
176
.
Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention to which various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, an outboard motor may not feature all objects and advantages discussed above to use certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The present invention therefore, should only be defined by the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. An outboard motor comprising a powerhead including an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine, the engine having an engine body and an output shaft, the engine being mounted in the powerhead so that the output shaft rotates about a generally vertically extending axis, the engine including a plurality of electrical components and at least a first electrical wire extending between two of the electrical components, at least a portion of the first electrical wire extending transversely to the vertical axis and along an outer periphery of the engine body, and a cover covering the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire.
- 2. The outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical wire comprises an ignition wire.
- 3. The outboard motor according to claim 2, wherein the two electrical components comprise a coil and a spark plug.
- 4. The outboard motor according to claim 1 additionally comprising a hook provided on the cowling, the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire extending above the hook when the cowling is arranged over the engine.
- 5. The outboard motor according to claim 1 additionally comprising a charge former for delivering a fuel amount to the engine body and a fuel supply line configured to deliver fuel to the charge former, the first electrical wire extending between the cover and a fuel supply line.
- 6. The outboard motor according to claim 5, wherein the cover is configured to maintain a gap between the electrical wire and the fuel supply line.
- 7. The outboard motor according to claim 5, wherein the cover comprises an inner side and an outer side, at least a first mount connecting the cover to the engine such that the inner side of the cover is spaced from the fuel rail.
- 8. The outboard motor according to claim 7, wherein the first mount connects the cover to the fuel rail.
- 9. The outboard motor according to claim 5 additionally comprising at least a first engagement device provided on the cover, the engagement device configured to engage the first electrical wire and maintain the first electrical wire in spaced relation to the fuel rail.
- 10. The outboard motor according to claim 5, wherein the fuel supply line comprises a fuel rail.
- 11. The outboard motor according to claim 5, wherein the charge former is a fuel injector.
- 12. The outboard motor according to claim 1 additionally comprising a fuel injector configured to deliver a fuel charge to the engine body, the cover extending over the fuel injector and along at least one side of the fuel injector.
- 13. An outboard motor comprising a powerhead including an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine, the engine having an engine body and an output shaft, the engine being mounted in the powerhead so that the output shaft rotates about a generally vertically extending axis, at least a first charge former configured to deliver a fuel charge to the engine body, a fuel supply line supplying fuel to the charge former, a plurality of electrical components, at least a first electrical wire connecting two of the electrical components and extending transverse to the fuel supply line, a cover covering at least a portion of the fuel supply line, the first electrical wire extending between the cover and the fuel supply line, and at least a first engagement device provided on the cover, the engagement device configured to engage the first electrical wire and maintain the first electrical wire in spaced relation to the fuel supply line.
- 14. The outboard motor according to claim 13, wherein the first engagement device comprises a slot having first and second ends, the first end begin open along an edge of the cover, the second end having a constricted portion being sized to releasably engage the first electrical wire.
- 15. The outboard motor according to claim 13 additionally comprising at least a first projection extending from an inner surface of the cover, the first projection maintaining a gap between the inner surface and the fuel supply line.
- 16. The outboard motor according to claim 13, wherein the fuel supply line is a fuel rail.
- 17. The outboard motor according to claim 16, wherein the fuel rail extends vertically.
- 18. The outboard motor according to claim 13, wherein the first electrical wire is an ignition wire and the two electrical components are a spark plug and an ignition coil.
- 19. An outboard motor comprising a powerhead including a fuel-injected internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine, the engine having an engine body and an output shaft, the engine being mounted in the powerhead so that the output shaft rotates about a generally vertically extending axis, the engine including at least a first fuel injector extending from the engine body generally transverse to the vertical axis, and at least a first cover independent of the cowling, the cover extending over at least a portion of the first fuel injector.
- 20. The outboard motor according to claim 19, wherein the cover is connected to the engine body.
- 21. The outboard motor according to claim 20 additionally comprising a fuel rail supplying fuel to the first fuel injector, the cover being connected to the fuel rail.
- 22. The outboard motor according to claim 21 additionally comprising at least a first projection configured to maintain a gap between an inner side of the first cover and the fuel rail.
- 23. The outboard motor according to claim 19, wherein the first cover extends along at least one side of the first fuel injector.
- 24. The outboard motor according to claim 19, wherein the engine body comprises a left-side cylinder bank and a right-side cylinder bank, each having at least two cylinders, first and second left-side fuel injectors communicating with the left-side cylinder bank, first and second right-side fuel injectors communicating with the rightside cylinder bank, and a second cover, the first cover covering the left-side fuel injectors, the second cover covering the right-side fuel injectors.
- 25. The outboard motor according to claim 24, wherein the first cover extends along a left side of the fuel injectors left-side fuel injectors, the second cover extending along a right side of the right-side fuel injectors.
- 26. The outboard motor according to claim 19, wherein the engine body comprises a first cylinder bank and a second cylinder bank defining a valley therebetween, each having at least two cylinders and two fuel injectors, each of the fuel injectors having an inner side facing toward the valley and an outer side facing away from the valley, the outboard motor further comprising a second cover covering the outer side of the fuel injectors on the second cylinder bank, the first cover covering the outer side of the fuel injectors on the first cylinder bank.
- 27. The outboard motor according to claim 19 additionally comprising at least a first projection extending from an inner side of the first cover, the projection extending over the first fuel injector.
- 28. An outboard motor comprising a powerhead including an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine, the engine having an engine body and an output shaft, the engine being mounted in the powerhead so that the output shaft rotates about a generally vertically extending axis, the engine including a plurality of electrical components, an electronic control unit configured to control operation of the engine, a plurality of electrical conduits connecting the electronic control unit with the plurality of electrical components, and a sleeve extending substantially parallel to the vertical axis, at least one of the plurality of electrical conduits extending from a lower end of the electronic control unit, upwardly through the sleeve, over an upper end of the engine body, and to at least one of the electrical components.
- 29. The outboard motor according to claim 28 wherein the at least one of the electrical components comprises at least one of a starter motor and a fuel pump.
- 30. An outboard motor comprising a powerhead including an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine, the engine having an engine body and an output shaft, the engine being mounted in the powerhead so that the output shaft rotates about a vertically extending axis, a first casing containing a first plurality of electrical components which are substantially waterproof, the first casing having a watertight seal along at least an upper periphery thereof, a second casing containing a second plurality of electrical components which are not waterproof, the second container having a watertight seal around substantially an entire periphery thereof and an outlet through which a first plurality of electrical conduits extend into the first casing.
- 31. The outboard motor according to claim 30, wherein the outlet of the second casing is arranged within the first casing.
- 32. The outboard motor according to claim 30 additionally comprising a grommet forming a substantially water-tight seal with the electrical conduits extending through the outlet of the second casing.
- 33. The outboard motor according to claim 30 additionally comprising a second outlet formed on a lower portion of the first casing.
- 34. The outboard motor according to claim 33, wherein a plurality of electrical conduits extend into the first casing through the second outlet.
- 35. The outboard motor according to claim 34 wherein the plurality of electrical conduits extend downwardly out of the first casing, through the second outlet, and curve upwardly outside of the first casing.
- 36. The outboard motor according to claim 34 wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical conduits extends to at least one of the second plurality of electrical components in the second casing.
- 37. The outboard motor according to claim 30 additionally comprising a first removable cover member covering the first casing and a second removable cover member, independent from the first cover member, covering the second casing.
- 38. The outboard motor according to claim 37, wherein the second cover member forms the substantially water-tight seal around substantially the entire periphery of the second casing.
- 39. An outboard motor comprising a powerhead including an internal combustion engine and a cowling covering the engine, the engine having an engine body and an output shaft, the engine being mounted in the powerhead so that the output shaft rotates about a generally vertically extending axis, the engine including a plurality of electrical components, at least a first electrical wire extending between two of the electrical components, at least a portion of the first electrical wire extending transversely to the vertical axis and along an outer periphery of the engine body, a cover covering the transversely extending portion of the electrical wire, a first casing containing substantially waterproof electrical components, at least an upper peripheral edge of the first casing having a substantially water-tight seal, a second casing containing non-waterproof electrical components, the second casing having a substantially water-tight seal along substantially an entire peripheral edge of the second casing, a protective sleeve arranged within the powerhead and extending upwardly, and a plurality of electrical conduits extending through the protective sleeve.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
11-126404 |
May 1999 |
JP |
|
11-127853 |
May 1999 |
JP |
|
US Referenced Citations (4)