ENGINE COVER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-215898 filed on Dec. 10, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an engine cover for an outboard motor.

BACKGROUND ART

In many outboard motors, an engine, which is a power source that rotates a propeller, and an engine cover that covers the engine are provided at an upper portion. JP2000-302095A (Patent Literature 1) describes an outboard motor of the related art having such a configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the publication, an engine cover for an outboard motor of the related art is divided into an upper and lower portion, and the upper portion of the engine cover is separably attached to the lower portion of the engine cover. A user can separate the upper portion of the engine cover from the lower portion of the engine cover. For example, when performing maintenance work on an engine, a user can remove the upper portion of the engine cover from the outboard motor while maintaining a state where the lower portion of the engine cover is attached to the outboard motor.

Generally, an engine of an outboard motor is disposed vertically so that an axis of a crankshaft extends in an up-down direction. In the outboard motor of the related art, a boundary between the upper portion and the lower portion of the engine cover is generally located below a middle portion of the engine in the up-down direction. Therefore, when a user removes the upper portion of the engine cover from the outboard motor, a wide area of the engine, from its upper end portion to an upper part of its lower portion, is exposed to the outside.

The upper portion of the engine cover has an upper wall and a peripheral wall, and is formed in a generally cylindrical box shape with a lid, a bottom side of which is open. When the upper portion of the engine cover is attached to the lower portion of the engine cover, the upper portion of the engine cover covers upper, front, left, right and rear surfaces of a portion from the upper end portion of the engine to an upper part of the lower portion of the engine.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• Patent Literature 1: JP2000-302095A

In the engine cover for the outboard motor of the related art, the upper portion of the engine cover is configured to cover a wide area of the engine, as described above. Therefore, in the engine cover for the outboard motor of the related art, weight and volume of the upper portion of the engine cover are large, and as a model of the outboard motor becomes larger, the weight and volume of the upper portion of the engine cover also increase.

When performing maintenance work on the engine, or the like, a user removes the upper portion of the engine cover from the outboard motor, and after completing the work, attaches the upper portion of the engine cover to the outboard motor. When the weight or volume of the upper portion of the engine cover is large, a burden on the user when attaching and detaching the upper portion of the engine cover to the outboard motor may be large, and this may worsen ease of performing maintenance work on the engine, or the like.

SUMMARY

The present invention is made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an engine cover that can improve ease of maintenance work on an engine, or the like.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is an engine cover configured to cover an engine of an outboard motor and includes: a left wall portion configured to cover a left surface of the engine; a right wall portion configured to cover a right surface of the engine; a front wall portion configured to cover a front surface of the engine; a rear wall portion configured to cover a rear surface of the engine, and an upper wall portion configured to cover an upper surface of the engine, where the upper wall portion is separably joined to a portion of the engine cover including the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion.

According to the present invention, ease of maintenance work on an engine, or the like can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an outboard motor provided with an engine cover according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the engine cover according to the example of the present invention as viewed from the front, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the engine cover according to the example of the present invention as viewed from the left.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a framework of the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the framework of the engine cover in the example of the present invention is joined to an engine holder, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating a connection portion between an underframe and a right side frame in the framework.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship between each wall portion and each cover portion and the framework in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the framework, a left wall portion, a front lower cover portion, and an oil pan cover portion in a separated state in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view illustrating the framework, the left wall portion, a right wall portion, the front lower cover portion, and the oil pan cover portion in their respective joined states in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a forward protrusion portion of the underframe, a floor portion of a front frame, and the front lower cover portion as viewed from the left, taken along a line H-H in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the engine cover according to the example of the present invention in a state where a front wall portion is separated from the front frame, the left wall portion, the front lower cover portion, an upper wall portion, and the like.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating the engine cover according to the example of the present invention in a state where a rear wall portion is separated from the underframe, the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the upper wall portion, the oil pan cover portion, and the like.

FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the engine cover according to the example of the present invention in a state where the rear wall portion is separated from the underframe, the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the upper wall portion, the oil pan cover portion, and the like, and FIGS. 11B and 11C are explanatory diagrams illustrating a locking mechanism in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the engine cover according to the example of the present invention in a state where the upper wall portion is separated from an upper frame, the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, the rear wall portion, and the like.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the upper wall portion of the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram illustrating the upper wall portion and the upper frame in a state of being separated from each other in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a rear portion of the upper wall portion and a rear end portion of the upper frame in a state of being joined together in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sealing member in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention, and FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a positional relationship between each wall portion and each cover portion and the sealing member in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A to 16G are end surface views each illustrating a sealing structure of each portion in the engine cover according to the example of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An engine cover of an embodiment of the present invention is an engine cover that covers an engine of an outboard motor and includes a left wall portion covering a left surface of the engine, a right wall portion covering a right surface of the engine, a front wall portion covering a front surface of the engine, a rear wall portion covering a rear surface of the engine, and an upper wall portion covering an upper surface of the engine, where the upper wall portion is separably joined to a portion of the engine cover that includes the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion.

By attaching the engine cover of this embodiment to the outboard motor, the left surface, the right surface, the front surface, the rear surface, and the upper surface of the engine are covered by the engine cover.

Furthermore, the upper wall portion of the engine cover in this embodiment is separable from a portion of the engine cover including the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion. A user can separate the upper wall portion from the portion of the engine cover including the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion. In other words, the user can remove the upper wall portion of the engine cover from the outboard motor while maintaining a state where the portion of the engine cover including the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion is attached to the outboard motor. By removing the upper wall portion from the outboard motor, a part of the engine is exposed to the outside, or an opening that allows a user to access the engine is formed in the engine cover. This allows the user to carry out engine maintenance work, or the like.

In addition, the upper wall portion of the engine cover in this embodiment covers the upper surface of the engine. In addition, a position of a boundary line between the upper wall portion and the portion of the engine cover including the left wall portion, the right wall portion, the front wall portion, and the rear wall portion is set at an upper end portion of the engine or above an upper end of the engine. In this manner, the upper wall portion forms an upper end part of the engine cover. Furthermore, even when an overall weight of the engine cover is large, a weight of the upper wall portion, which is a part of the engine cover, is small. Furthermore, even when an overall volume of the engine cover is large, a volume of the upper wall portion, which is a part of the engine cover, is small. The user can perform engine maintenance work or the like by simply removing the light or small upper wall portion from the outboard motor. In other words, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover from the outboard motor. This improves ease of maintenance work on the engine.

EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the example, when describing directions of up (Ud), down (Dd), left (Ld), right (Rd), front (Fd), and back (Bd), please refer to arrows drawn at the bottom left of each drawing.

Basic Configuration of Engine Cover

FIG. 1 illustrates an outboard motor 1 provided with an engine cover 11 according to the example of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the engine cover 11 is a cover that covers an engine 3 of the outboard motor 1, and is provided on an upper portion of the outboard motor 1.

The engine 3 is a power source that rotates a propeller 2 of the outboard motor 1 and is provided on the upper portion of the outboard motor 1. The engine 3 is disposed vertically so that an axis of a crankshaft extends in an up-down direction. The engine 3 also includes a crankcase 4, a cylinder block 5, a cylinder head 6, an intake manifold 7, and the like. The crankcase 4 is disposed in a front portion of the engine 3, the cylinder block 5 is disposed at the rear of the crankcase 4, the cylinder head 6 is disposed at the rear of the cylinder block 5, and the intake manifold 7 is disposed at the rear of the cylinder head 6. Further, an intake port 7A is provided at an upper portion of the intake manifold 7 for drawing air from outside the engine 3 into the intake manifold 7.

In addition, the engine 3 is supported by an engine holder 8. The engine holder 8 is disposed below the engine 3 and supports the engine 3 from below. In addition, the engine 3 is provided with an oil pan 9. The oil pan 9 is disposed below the engine holder 8 and is connected to the engine 3 via the engine holder 8. The engine cover 11 covers not only the engine 3 but also the engine holder 8 and the oil pan 9.

FIG. 2 illustrates an external appearance of the engine cover 11 as viewed from an upper left front side. FIG. 3A illustrates the engine cover 11 as viewed from the front. FIG. 3B illustrates the engine cover 11 as viewed from the left.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the engine cover 11 is formed into a cylindrical box shape with a lid when viewed overall, and a lower side of the engine cover 11 is open. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the engine cover 11 includes a left wall portion 12 covering a front portion of a left surface of the engine 3, a right wall portion 13 covering a front portion of a right surface of the engine 3, a front wall portion 14 covering a front surface of the engine 3, a rear wall portion 15 covering a rear surface of the engine 3, a rear portion of the left surface, and a rear portion of the right surface, an upper wall portion 16 covering an upper surface of the engine 3, a front lower cover portion 28 covering a front lower portion of the engine 3, and an oil pan cover portion 29 covering the oil pan 9. The left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 are each formed from a member independent of one another. The left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 are each formed from a resin such as a thermoplastic resin.

Furthermore, the engine cover 11 is provided with a framework 31 as illustrated by dashed lines in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28 and the oil pan cover portion 29 are each supported by the framework 31 and are integrated via the framework 31.

Framework

FIG. 4 illustrates the framework 31 of the engine cover 11. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the framework 31 of the engine cover 11 has an underframe 32, a left side frame 41, a right side frame 42, an upper frame 43, and a front frame 44. Each of these frames 32, 41 to 44 is made of a metal such as aluminum.

The underframe 32 is a specific example of a “first frame”, and the upper frame 43 is a specific example of a “second frame”. Furthermore, the left side frame 41 is a specific example of a “third frame”, and the right side frame 42 is a specific example of a “fourth frame”.

The underframe 32 is a foundation of the framework 31 and is disposed in a lower portion of the framework 31. When the underframe 32 is viewed from above, an outer shape of the underframe 32 is generally elliptical with a diameter in a front-rear direction larger than a diameter in a left-right direction. The underframe 32 has a bottom plate portion 33 having a plate shape that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions, a side plate portion 34 having a plate shape that extends upward from an outer edge portion of the bottom plate portion 33, and a forward protrusion portion 35 that protrudes forward from a front end portion of the side plate portion 34. The underframe 32 has the bottom plate portion 33 and therefore has high rigidity. Furthermore, an engine holder mounting hole 36 is provided in approximately the center of the bottom plate portion 33. The engine holder 8 is mounted in the engine holder mounting hole 36 via a sealing member. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the framework 31 is joined to and supported by the engine holder 8. Furthermore, by joining and supporting the framework 31 to the engine holder 8 in this manner, the entirety of the engine cover 11 is joined to and supported by the engine holder 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the left side frame 41 is a left support column for the framework 31, is formed in a rod shape, and extends upward from a left portion of the underframe 32. In addition, a lower end portion of the left side frame 41 is connected to and supported by the left portion of the underframe 32.

The right side frame 42 is a right support column for the framework 31, is formed in a rod shape, and extends upward from a right portion of the underframe 32. In addition, a lower end portion of the right side frame 42 is connected to and supported by the right portion of the underframe 32.

FIG. 5B illustrates a connection portion between the underframe 32 and the right side frame 42. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, a boss portion 37 is provided at a corner where a right portion of the bottom plate portion 33 and a right portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32 intersect. In addition, a connection portion 51 is provided at a lower end portion of the right side frame 42. The connection portion 51 is connected to the boss portion 37 using a connection member 61 such as a bolt. By providing the boss portion 37 at the corner where the right portion of the bottom plate portion 33 and the right portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32 intersect, the boss portion 37 can be firmly fixed to the underframe 32, and by connecting the lower end portion of the right side frame 42 to the boss portion 37, the right side frame 42 can be firmly supported by the underframe 32.

Although not illustrated, a boss portion is provided at a corner where a left portion of the bottom plate portion 33 and a left portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32 intersect. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a connection portion 52 is provided at a lower end portion of the left side frame 41. The connection portion 52 is connected to the boss portion provided at the corner where the left portion of the bottom plate portion 33 and the left portion of the side plate portion 34 intersect, using a connection member such as a bolt. This allows the left side frame 41 to be firmly supported by the underframe 32.

The upper frame 43 is disposed on an upper portion of the framework 31 and is located above the underframe 32. The upper frame 43 is formed in an annular shape, and when the upper frame 43 is viewed from above, an outer shape of the upper frame 43 is generally elliptical with a diameter in the front-rear direction larger than a diameter in the left-right direction. In addition, a connection portion 53 is provided on a left portion of the upper frame 43, and the connection portion 53 is connected to a connection portion 54 provided on an upper end portion of the left side frame 41 using a connection member 62 such as a bolt. In addition, a connection portion 55 is provided on a right portion of the upper frame 43, and the connection portion 55 is connected to a connection portion 56 provided on an upper end portion of the right side frame 42 using a connection member 63 such as a bolt. In this manner, the upper frame 43 is connected to and supported by the left side frame 41 and the right side frame 42.

The front frame 44 is disposed in a front portion of the framework 31 and is provided between a front portion of the underframe 32 and a front portion of the upper frame 43. The front portion of the upper frame 43 is supported by the front portion of the underframe 32 via the front frame 44. When the front frame 44 is viewed from the front, an outer shape of the front frame 44 is generally trapezoidal. The front frame 44 has a floor portion 45 having a flat plate shape, two pillar portions 46 respectively extending upward from left and right portions of the floor portion 45, and two connecting portions 47 extending in the left-right direction between the two pillar portions 46 and connecting the two pillar portions 46 together.

Furthermore, two connection portions 57 are provided on an upper portion of the front frame 44. These connection portions 57 are respectively connected to two connection portions 58 provided on the front portion of the upper frame 43 by using connection members 64 such as bolts. As will be described below, a joint portion 76 provided at a front end portion of the floor portion 45 of the front frame 44 is joined to a front end portion of the front lower cover portion 28 locked to a front end portion of the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32 using a joint member 114 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). As a result, the lower portion of the front frame 44 is connected to the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32 via the front lower cover portion 28.

FIG. 6 illustrates a positional relationship between the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 and the framework 31. As can be viewed from FIG. 6, the underframe 32 extends along lower edges of the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13, and the rear wall portion 15. In addition, the underframe 32 extends along upper edges of the front lower cover portion 28 and the oil pan cover portion 29. In other words, the underframe 32 extends along a boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the oil pan cover portion 29, a boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front lower cover portion 28, a boundary between the front wall portion 14 and the front lower cover portion 28, a boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front lower cover portion 28, a boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the oil pan cover portion 29, and a boundary between the rear wall portion 15 and the oil pan cover portion 29.

In addition, the left side frame 41 extends along a rear edge of the left wall portion 12. The left side frame 41 extends along a left edge (a front edge of a left portion of the rear wall portion 15) of the rear wall portion 15. In other words, the left side frame 41 extends along a boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the rear wall portion 15.

In addition, the right side frame 42 extends along a rear edge of the right wall portion 13. In addition, the right side frame 42 extends along a right edge (a front edge of a right portion of the rear wall portion 15) of the rear wall portion 15. In other words, the right side frame 42 extends along a boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15.

In addition, the upper frame 43 extends along an outer edge of the upper wall portion 16. The upper frame 43 also extends along upper edges of the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15. In other words, the upper frame 43 extends along a boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the left wall portion 12, a boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the front wall portion 14, a boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the right wall portion 13, and a boundary between the upper wall portion 16 and the rear wall portion 15.

Furthermore, the pillar portion 46 on a left side of the front frame 44 extends along a front edge of the left wall portion 12. Furthermore, the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44 extends along a left edge of the front wall portion 14. In other words, the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44 extends along a boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front wall portion 14.

In addition, the pillar portion 46 on a right side of the front frame 44 extends along a front edge of the right wall portion 13. Further, the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44 extends along a right edge of the front wall portion 14. In other words, the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44 extends along a boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front wall portion 14.

Left Wall Portion, Right Wall Portion, Front Lower Cover Portion, Oil Pan Cover Portion

FIG. 7 illustrates the framework 31, the left wall portion 12, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 in a separated state. FIG. 8A illustrates the framework 31, the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front lower cover portion 28, and the oil pan cover portion 29 in a state of being joined together. FIG. 8B illustrates cross sections of the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32, the floor portion 45 of the front frame 44, and the front lower cover portion 28 taken along a line H-H in FIG. 8A, as viewed from the left (lower right in FIG. 8A).

As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8A, the left wall portion 12 is formed by resin molding into a plate shape with a curved or bent portion. In addition, the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44, the left side frame 41, and a left front portion of the underframe 32. Specifically, a front edge portion of the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44 by respectively joining a plurality of joint portions 71 provided on a front edge portion of the left wall portion 12 to a plurality of joint portions 72 provided on the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44 using joint members 111 such as bolts. In addition, a rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left side frame 41 by respectively joining a plurality of joint portions 73 provided on a rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12 to a plurality of joint portions 74 provided on the left side frame 41 using joint members 112 such as bolts. In addition, a lower portion of the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the left front portion of the underframe 32 by inserting a joint member 113 such as a bolt into a joint hole 91 provided in the lower portion of the left wall portion 12 and fastening the joint member 113 to a joint portion 75 provided in a left front portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32.

The right wall portion 13 is formed by resin molding so as to be symmetrical to the left wall portion 12. In addition, the right wall portion 13 is fixed to the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44, the right side frame 42, and a right front portion of the underframe 32 in a manner similar to that of the left wall portion 12.

The front lower cover portion 28 is formed by resin molding into a partially curved or bent plate shape or a roughly bowl shape. In addition, the front lower cover portion 28 is fixed to the front portion of the underframe 32. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, first, an engaging protrusion portion 125 provided at the front end portion of the front lower cover portion 28 engages with an engaging recess portion 126 provided at the front end portion of the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32, then the joint portion 76 provided at the front end portion of the floor portion 45 of the front frame 44 is assembled to a front end of the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32, and then the joint member 114 such as a bolt is inserted into a joint hole 92 provided at the front end portion of the front lower cover portion 28 and the joint member 114 is fastened to the joint portion 76, thereby fixing the front portion of the front lower cover portion 28 to the front end portion of the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32. A rear portion of the front lower cover portion 28 is fixed to a joint portion 77 (see FIG. 7) provided on a front end portion of the bottom plate portion 33 of the underframe 32 using a joint member such as a bolt.

The oil pan cover portion 29 is formed into a cylindrical shape by resin molding. In addition, an upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the underframe 32. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8A, a front portion of the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the front portion of the underframe 32 by inserting a joint member 115 such as a bolt into a joint hole 93 provided in the front portion of the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 and fastening the joint member 115 to a joint portion 78 provided in a front portion of the bottom plate portion 33 of the underframe 32. In addition, a rear portion of the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to a rear portion of the underframe 32 by inserting a joint member 116 such as a bolt into a joint hole 94 provided in the rear portion of the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 and fastening the joint member 116 to a joint portion 79 provided in a rear portion of the bottom plate portion 33 of the underframe 32. While FIG. 7 and FIG. 8A illustrate a configuration in which a left portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the left portion of the underframe 32, a right portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is also fixed to a right portion of the underframe 32 by a configuration similar to the configuration in which the left portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the left portion of the underframe 32.

Front Wall Portion

FIG. 9 illustrates the engine cover 11 in a state where the front wall portion 14 is separated from the front frame 44, the left wall portion 12, the front lower cover portion 28, the upper wall portion 16, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the front wall portion 14 is formed by resin molding into a partially curved or bent plate shape or into a roughly bowl shape.

In addition, the front wall portion 14 is separably joined to a portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. Specifically, the front wall portion 14 is detachably attached to the front frame 44.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 9, an upper portion of the front wall portion 14 is attached to the upper portion of the front frame 44 by inserting a joint member 117 such as a bolt into a joint hole 95 provided in a left-right center of the upper portion of the front wall portion 14 and fastening the joint member 117 to a joint portion 80 provided on the connecting portion 47 on the upper side of the front frame 44. In addition, a lower left portion of the front wall portion 14 is attached to a left corner of the front frame 44 by inserting a joint member 118 such as a bolt into a joint hole 96 provided in the lower left portion of the front wall portion 14 and fastening the joint member 118 to a joint portion 81 provided in the left corner of the front frame 44. In addition, a lower right portion of the front wall portion 14 is attached to a right corner of the front frame 44 by inserting a joint member 119 such as a bolt into a joint hole 97 provided in the lower right portion of the front wall portion 14 and fastening the joint member 119 to a joint portion 82 provided in the right corner of the front frame 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, heads of the joint members 117, 118, and 119 are exposed on an outer surface of a front side of the engine cover 11, so that a user can easily remove the joint members 117, 118, and 119 using a tool such as a screwdriver. By removing the joint members 117, 118, and 119, the user can easily remove the front wall portion 14 from the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. By removing the front wall portion 14, an opening that allows the user to access the engine 3 is formed at the front portion of the engine cover 11. This allows the user to carry out maintenance work on the engine 3, or the like. By removing the front wall portion 14, the user can, for example, replace a fuel filter of the engine 3, connect a cable to an electrical component provided on the engine 3, or the like.

In addition, the user can place the removed front wall portion 14 in front of the front frame 44, and use a tool such as a screwdriver to insert the joint member 117 into the joint hole 95 and fasten it to the joint portion 80, insert the joint member 118 into the joint hole 96 and fasten it to the joint portion 81, and insert the joint member 119 into the joint hole 97 and fasten it to the joint portion 82, thereby easily attaching the front wall portion 14 to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31.

Furthermore, as can be viewed from FIG. 2, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 9, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the front frame 44, the front wall portion 14 covers and conceals the joint member 111 that joins the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12 to the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44, and the joint member 111 that joins the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13 to the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the front frame 44, a left edge portion of the front wall portion 14 is located to the left of the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the left, the left edge portion of the front wall portion 14 overlaps with the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12. As a result, the joint member 111 that joins the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12 to the front frame 44 is covered by the left edge portion of the front wall portion 14. Similarly, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the front frame 44, a right edge portion of the front wall portion 14 is located to the right of the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the right, the right edge portion of the front wall portion 14 overlaps with the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13. As a result, the joint member 111 that joins the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13 to the front frame 44 is covered by the right edge portion of the front wall portion 14. In this way, by having the front wall portion 14 cover and conceal the joint members 111, it is possible to prevent a large number of bolts, or the like from being exposed on the outer surface of the engine cover 11, thereby improving an external appearance of the engine cover 11.

Rear Wall Portion

FIG. 10 illustrates the engine cover 11 in a state where the rear wall portion 15 is separated from the underframe 32, the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the upper wall portion 16, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the like, as viewed from the upper left front side. FIG. 11A illustrates the engine cover 11 in FIG. 10, as viewed from the left.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the rear wall portion 15 is formed by resin molding into a plate shape with a curved or bent portion. When the rear wall portion 15 is viewed from above, the rear wall portion 15 is formed in a generally U-shape. The rear wall portion 15 has a wall plate portion 15A covering a rear surface of the engine 3, a wall plate portion 15B covering a rear portion of a left surface of the engine 3, and a wall plate portion 15C covering a rear portion of a right surface of the engine 3.

In addition, the rear wall portion 15 is separably joined to a portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. Specifically, the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, and the underframe 32.

More specifically, the right portion (wall plate portion 15C) of the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the right wall portion 13 by a locking mechanism 131. That is, the locking mechanism 131 is provided on the right portion of the engine cover 11. FIG. 11B illustrates the locking mechanism 131. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the locking mechanism 131 has a hook 132, an operating lever 133 for operating the hook 132, a connecting shaft 134 connecting the hook 132 and the operating lever 133, and a locking target portion 135 that is locked by the hook 132. The hook 132, the operating lever 133, and the connecting shaft 134 are disposed in an up-down center of a rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13. The connecting shaft 134 extends in the left-right direction, is inserted into a hole provided in the right wall portion 13, passes through the right wall portion 13, and is pivotably supported by the right wall portion 13. The hook 132 is located inside (to the left) of the right wall portion 13 and is joined to a left end of the connecting shaft 134. The operating lever 133 is located outside (to the right) of the right wall portion 13 and is joined to a right end of the connecting shaft 134. The hook 132, the operating lever 133, and the connecting shaft 134 can pivot integrally with respect to the right wall portion 13 about an axis of the connecting shaft 134. On the other hand, the locking target portion 135 is fixed to an up-down center of an inner surface (left surface) of a front edge portion of the right portion (wall plate portion 15C) of the rear wall portion 15. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the locking target portion 135 is locked by the hook 132. In a state illustrated in FIG. 11B, when the operating lever 133 is rotated in a direction of an arrow R, the hook 132 rotates together with the operating lever 133, and the locking of the locking target portion 135 with the hook 132 is released, as illustrated in FIG. 11C. Furthermore, when the operating lever 133 is rotated in a direction of an arrow S in a state illustrated in FIG. 11C, the locking target portion 135 is locked with the hook 132 as illustrated in FIG. 11B.

The left portion (wall plate portion 15B) of the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the left wall portion 12 by a locking mechanism 141. That is, the locking mechanism 141 is provided on the left portion of the engine cover 11. The locking mechanism 141 has a shape and structure that are symmetrical to the locking mechanism 131 provided on the right portion of the engine cover 11. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, in the locking mechanism 141, a hook 142, an operating lever 143, and a connecting shaft 144 are disposed in an up-down center of a rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12. The connecting shaft 144 is inserted into a hole provided in the left wall portion 12, passes through the left wall portion 12, and is pivotably supported by the left wall portion 12. The hook 142 is located inside (to the right) of the left wall portion 12 and is joined to a right end of the connecting shaft 144. The operating lever 143 is located outside (to the left) the left wall portion 12 and is joined to a left end of the connecting shaft 144. On the other hand, the locking target portion 145 is fixed to an up-down center of an inner surface (right surface) of a front edge portion of the left portion (wall plate portion 15B) of the rear wall portion 15. The operation of the hook 142 in the locking mechanism 141 for locking and unlocking the locking target portion 145 is similar to the operation of the hook 132 in the locking mechanism 131 for locking and unlocking the locking target portion 135.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, FIG. 4, and FIG. 11A, the left portion (wall plate portion 15B) of the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the left portion of the underframe 32 by inserting two joint members 120 (for example, bolts) into two joint holes 98 provided in a front lower corner of the left portion (wall plate portion 15B) of the rear wall portion 15, and fastening the two joint members 120 to a joint portion 83 provided in the left portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32. Similarly, the right portion (wall plate portion 15C) of the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the right portion of the underframe 32 by inserting two joint members (for example, bolts) into two joint holes provided in a front lower corner of the right portion (wall plate portion 15C) of the rear wall portion 15, and fastening the two joint members to a joint portion provided in the right portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32. In addition, heads of the two joint members 120 that attach the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 to the left portion of the underframe 32 are exposed on an outer surface of a left side of the engine cover 11, so that the user can easily remove the two joint members 120 using a tool such as a screwdriver. In addition, heads of the two joint members that attach the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 to the right portion of the underframe 32 are exposed on an outer surface of a right side of the engine cover 11, so that the user can easily remove the two joint members using a tool such as a screwdriver.

A user can easily remove the rear wall portion 15, which is attached to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31, as follows. The First, the user removes the two joint members 120 attaching the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 to the left portion of the underframe 32 and the two joint members attaching the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 to the right portion of the underframe 32. Next, the user operates the operating lever 133 of the locking mechanism 131 to release the locking of the locking target portion 135 by the hook 132, and operates the operating lever 143 of the locking mechanism 141 to release the locking of the locking target portion 145 by the hook 142. Next, the user pulls out the rear wall portion 15 rearward from between the rear portion of the underframe 32 and a rear portion of the upper frame 43.

By removing the rear wall portion 15, the rear portion of the engine 3, specifically, a rear surface, a rear portion of a left surface, and a rear portion of a right surface of the engine 3 are exposed. This allows the user to carry out maintenance work on the engine 3, or the like. By removing the rear wall portion 15, a user can perform work such as replacing a spark plug of the engine 3, for example.

In addition, the user can easily attach the removed rear wall portion 15 to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 as follows. First, the user fits the rear wall portion 15 between the rear portion of the underframe 32 and the rear portion of the upper frame 43 from behind, then operates the operating lever 133 of the locking mechanism 131 to lock the locking target portion 135 with the hook 132, and operates the operating lever 143 of the locking mechanism 141 to lock the locking target portion 145 with the hook 142, and then uses a tool such as a screwdriver to insert the two joint members 120 into the two joint holes 98 and fasten them to the joint portion 83, and also inserts the two joint members into two joint holes provided in the front lower corner of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 and fasten them to the joint portion provided on the right portion of the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32.

Also, as can be viewed from FIG. 2, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 10, when the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the left wall portion 12, the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 covers and conceals the joint member 112 that connects the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12 to the left side frame 41. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the left wall portion 12, a front edge portion of the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 is located to the left of the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the left, the front edge portion of the left portion of the rear wall portion 15 overlaps with the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12. As a result, the joint member 112 that joins the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12 to the left side frame 41 is covered by the front edge portion of the left portion of the rear wall portion 15. Similarly, when the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the right wall portion 13, the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 covers and conceals the joint member 112 that joins the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13 to the right side frame 42. In other words, when the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the right wall portion 13, a front edge portion of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 is located to the right of the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13, and when the engine cover 11 is viewed from the right, the front edge portion of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15 overlaps with the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13. As a result, the joint member 112 that joins the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13 to the right side frame 42 is covered by the front edge portion of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15. In this way, by having the rear wall portion 15 cover and conceal the joint members 112, it is possible to prevent a large number of bolts, or the like from being exposed on the outer surface of the engine cover 11, thereby improving the external appearance of the engine cover 11.

Upper Wall Portion

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the upper wall portion 16 forms an upper end part of the engine cover 11. As can be viewed from FIG. 1, a position of a boundary line between the upper wall portion 16 and the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 is set at an upper end portion of the engine 3 or above an upper end of the engine 3.

FIG. 12 illustrates the engine cover 11 in a state where the upper wall portion 16 is separated from the upper frame 43, the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, and the like. FIG. 13 illustrates the upper wall portion 16 in an exploded view.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper wall portion 16 includes an inner cover portion 17 and an outer cover portion 21 that covers the inner cover portion 17 from above.

The inner cover portion 17 is formed by resin molding into a generally elliptical flat plate shape of which a front-rear diameter is larger than its left-right diameter when viewed from above. A shape of the inner cover portion 17 when viewed from above substantially matches a shape of the upper frame 43 when viewed from above. Further, a communication hole 18 penetrating the inner cover portion 17 is provided at a rear portion of the inner cover portion 17, and a peripheral edge of the communication hole 18 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape. Further, a through hole 19 is provided at a front portion of the inner cover portion 17 so as to penetrate the inner cover portion 17, and a peripheral edge of the through hole 19 protrudes upward in a cylindrical shape. Further, a plurality of joint portions 85 are provided at a vertical intermediate portion of the inner cover portion 17 and at an outer peripheral portion of the through hole 19 in the inner cover portion 17. Further, an insertion hole 20 is provided in the inner cover portion 17 in front of the through hole 19.

The outer cover portion 21 is formed by resin molding into a curved plate shape such that a center portion rises upward compared to an outer edge portion. A shape of the outer cover portion 21 when viewed from above substantially matches the shape of the inner cover portion 17 when viewed from above. Further, inlet ports 22 are respectively formed at left and right rear portions of the outer cover portion 21. In addition, an access hole 23 is provided in a front portion of the outer cover portion 21. The access hole 23 passes through the outer cover portion 21. Further, a plurality of joint holes 100 are provided in a vertical intermediate portion of the outer cover portion 21 and in an outer peripheral portion of the access hole 23 in the outer cover portion 21. Further, another joint hole 99 is provided in front of the access hole 23 in the outer cover portion 21.

Further, the outer cover portion 21 is provided with a lid 24 that covers the access hole 23 from above and closes the access hole 23. The lid 24 can be opened and closed. FIG. 2 illustrates the lid 24 in a closed state, and FIG. 12 illustrates the lid 24 in an open state. A rear end portion of the lid 24 is pivotably supported by the outer cover portion 21. Furthermore, a lid locking portion 25 is provided at a front end portion of the outer cover portion 21, and when the lid 24 is closed, a front end portion of the lid 24 is locked to the lid locking portion 25. As a result, the lid 24 is held by the outer cover portion 21 in a closed state. In addition, an operation button 26 is provided at the front end portion of the outer cover portion 21. When the user presses the operation button 26, the lid 24 is released from a locking position by the lid locking portion 25 in response to the pressing of the operation button 26. The user can then open the lid 24.

Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17 by inserting a joint member 122, such as a bolt, into the joint hole 100 and fastening the joint member 122 to the joint portion 85 of the inner cover portion 17. By fixing the outer cover portion 21 to the inner cover portion 17 in this manner, the upper wall portion 16 is formed.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17, an intake passage 27 connecting the inlet port 22 and the communication hole 18 is formed between a rear portion of the inner cover portion 17 and a rear portion of the outer cover portion 21. Furthermore, when the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the upper frame 43, the communication hole 18 is connected to an intake port 7A of the intake manifold 7 of the engine 3 (see FIG. 1). Air outside the engine 3 flows into the intake manifold 7 through the inlet port 22, the intake passage 27, the communication hole 18 and the intake port 7A in that order.

Furthermore, when the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17, the access hole 23 is located above the through hole 19, and the access hole 23 and the through hole 19 are connected to each other. When the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the upper frame 43, the access hole 23 communicates with a space inside the engine cover 11 via the through hole 19. By opening the lid 24, a user can access the engine 3 through the access hole 23. The user can carry out maintenance work on the engine 3 through the access hole 23. Through the access hole 23, the user can, for example, check an amount of engine oil using an oil level gauge, or refill the engine oil.

In addition, when the outer cover portion 21 is fixed to the inner cover portion 17, the joint hole 99 provided in the outer cover portion 21 is positioned above the insertion hole 20 provided in the inner cover portion 17, and the insertion hole 20 and the joint hole 99 communicate with each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the upper wall portion 16 is separably joined to a portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. Specifically, the upper wall portion 16 is detachably attached to the upper frame 43.

An attachment structure of the upper wall portion 16 to the upper frame 43 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B. FIG. 14A illustrates the upper wall portion 16 and the upper frame 43 in a separated state. FIG. 14B illustrates a cross section of cut rear portions of the upper wall portion 16 and upper frame 43 viewed from the left, after the rear portions of the upper wall portion 16 and upper frame 43, which are joined to each other, are cut to separate them into left and right halves at a center position in the left-right direction of the upper wall portion 16 and the upper frame 43. As illustrated in FIG. 14A, a locking target protrusion 151 is provided on a lower rear portion of the upper wall portion 16. As illustrated in FIG. 14B, the rear portion of the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43 by the locking target protrusion 151 being locked to the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43. As illustrated in FIG. 14A and FIG. 12, a joint portion 84 is provided at the front portion of the upper frame 43. The front portion of the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the front portion of the upper frame 43 by sequentially inserting a joint member 121, such as a bolt, into the joint hole 99 provided in the outer cover portion 21 and the insertion hole 20 provided in the inner cover portion 17, and fastening the joint member 121 to the joint portion 84 of the upper frame 43.

When the lid 24 of the outer cover portion 21 of the upper wall portion 16 is open, a head of the joint member 121 is exposed on an upper outer surface of the outer cover portion 21. Therefore, a user can easily remove the joint member 121 using a tool such as a screwdriver. In addition, after removing the joint member 121, the user can move the upper wall portion 16 forward relative to the upper frame 43 to release the locking of the locking target protrusion 151 with the upper frame 43 and separate the upper wall portion 16 from the upper frame 43. In this way, the user can easily remove the upper wall portion 16 from the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. By removing the upper wall portion 16, an opening that allows the user to access the engine 3 is formed in the upper portion of the engine cover 11. This allows the user to carry out maintenance work on the engine 3, or the like. In addition, when the user is installing the outboard motor 1 on a boat or removing the outboard motor 1 from the boat, the user can remove the upper wall portion 16 and connect a crane hook for lifting the outboard motor 1 to the engine 3 through the opening formed in the upper portion of the engine cover 11.

In addition, the user can easily attach the upper wall portion 16 to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 by hooking the locking target protrusion 151 of the removed upper wall portion 16 onto the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43, and then using a tool such as a screwdriver to insert the joint member 121 successively into the joint hole 99 and the insertion hole 20 and fastening it to the joint portion 84.

Furthermore, as can be viewed from FIG. 2, FIG. 12, and FIG. 14A, when the lid 24 of the outer cover portion 21 of the upper wall portion 16 is closed, the lid 24 covers and conceals the joint member 122 that joins the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21, and the joint member 121 that attaches the upper wall portion 16 to the upper frame 43. By covering and concealing the joint members 121, 122 with the lid 24, it is possible to prevent a large number of bolts and the like from being exposed on the outer surface of the engine cover 11, thereby improving the external appearance of the engine cover 11.

Sealing Structure

FIG. 15A illustrates sealing members 161 to 166 of the engine cover 11 and their positions. FIG. 15B illustrates a positional relationship between the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28 and the oil pan cover portion 29 and the sealing members 161 to 166.

As illustrated in FIG. 15A, the engine cover 11 includes an upper sealing member 161, a left front sealing member 162, a left side sealing member 163, a right front sealing member 164, a right side sealing member 165, and an under sealing member 166. The material of these sealing members 161 to 166 is, for example, rubber. Furthermore, these sealing members 161 to 166 have a function of preventing water from entering the engine cover 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the upper sealing member 161 seals boundaries between the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15 and the upper wall portion 16. As can be viewed from FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, the upper sealing member 161 extends along the upper frame 43 around an entire periphery of the upper frame 43.

Here, FIG. 16A illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the left wall portion 12, the upper wall portion 16, the upper frame 43, and the upper sealing member 161 taken along a line A-A in FIG. 15B, as viewed from behind (the right in FIG. 15B). As illustrated FIG. 16A, the upper sealing member 161 is attached to the upper frame 43 and is in close contact with the upper frame 43. Further, an upper edge portion (specifically, a tip of a protruding portion 12A protruding rightward from the upper edge portion of the left wall portion 12) of the left wall portion 12 is in close contact with the upper sealing member 161. Additionally, an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the inner cover portion 17 of the upper wall portion 16 is in close contact with the upper sealing member 161. Similarly to the upper edge portion of the left wall portion 12, an upper edge portion of the front wall portion 14 and an upper edge portion of the right wall portion 13 are also in close contact with the upper sealing member 161 attached to the upper frame 43.

Here, FIG. 16B illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the upper frame 43, and the upper sealing member 161 taken along a line B-B in FIG. 15B, as viewed from behind (the right in FIG. 15B). As illustrated in FIG. 16B, an upper edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 (specifically, a tip of a protruding portion 15D protruding rightward from the upper edge portion of the rear wall portion 15) is in close contact with an upper sealing member 161 attached to the upper frame 43.

As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the left front sealing member 162 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front wall portion 14. The left front sealing member 162 extends along the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44 from a lower end portion to an upper end portion of the pillar portion 46.

Here, FIG. 16C illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the front wall portion 14, the left wall portion 12, the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44, and the left front sealing member 162 taken along a line C-C in FIG. 15B, as viewed from above. As illustrated in FIG. 16C, the left front sealing member 162 is attached to the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12 and is in close contact with the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12. In addition, the left edge portion (a rear edge portion of a left portion of the front wall portion 14) of the front wall portion 14 is in close contact with the left front sealing member 162. Furthermore, the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44 is in close contact with the left front sealing member 162.

As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the left side sealing member 163 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the rear wall portion 15. The left side sealing member 163 extends along the left side frame 41 from a lower end portion to an upper end portion of the left side frame 41.

Here, FIG. 16D illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the left wall portion 12, the rear wall portion 15, the left side frame 41, and the left side sealing member 163 taken along a line D-D in FIG. 15B, as viewed from above. As illustrated in FIG. 16D, the left side sealing member 163 is attached to the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12 and is in close contact with the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12. Further, a left edge portion (the front edge portion of the left portion of the rear wall portion 15) of the rear wall portion 15 is in close contact with the left side sealing member 163. Furthermore, the left side frame 41 is in close contact with the left side sealing member 163.

As can be viewed from FIG. 6 and FIG. 15A, the right front sealing member 164 seals the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front wall portion 14. The right front sealing member 164 extends along the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44 from a lower end portion to an upper end portion of the pillar portion 46. The arrangement of the right front sealing member 164, the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13, the right edge portion of the front wall portion 14, and the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44 is symmetrical with the arrangement of the left front sealing member 162, the front edge portion of the left wall portion 12, the left edge portion of the front wall portion 14, and the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44. That is, the right front sealing member 164 is attached to the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13 and is in close contact with the front edge portion of the right wall portion 13. In addition, the right edge portion (a rear edge portion of a right portion of the front wall portion 14) of the front wall portion 14 is in close contact with the right front sealing member 164. Further, the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44 is in close contact with the right front sealing member 164.

As can be viewed from FIG. 6 and FIG. 15A, the right side sealing member 165 seals the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15. The right side sealing member 165 extends along the right side frame 42 from a lower end portion to an upper end portion of the right side frame 42. The arrangement of the right side sealing member 165, the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13, a front edge portion of the rear wall portion 15, and the right side frame 42 is symmetrical with the arrangement of the left front sealing member 162, the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12, a front edge portion of the rear wall portion 15, and the left side frame 41. That is, the right side sealing member 165 is attached to the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13 and is in close contact with the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13. Further, a right edge portion (the front edge portion of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15) of the rear wall portion 15 is in close contact with the right side sealing member 165. Furthermore, the right side frame 42 is in close contact with the right side sealing member 165.

Also, as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the under sealing member 166 seals the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the oil pan cover portion 29, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the front wall portion 14 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the oil pan cover portion 29, and the boundary between the rear wall portion 15 and the oil pan cover portion 29. The under sealing member 166 extends around an entire periphery of the underframe 32 along the side plate portion 34 and the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32.

Here, FIG. 16E illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the left wall portion 12, the front lower cover portion 28, the underframe 32, and the under sealing member 166 taken along a line E-E in FIG. 15B, as viewed from behind (the right in FIG. 15B). As illustrated in FIG. 16E, a front portion of the under sealing member 166 is attached to an upper edge portion of the front lower cover portion 28 and is in close contact with the upper edge portion of the front lower cover portion 28. In addition, a lower edge portion of a front portion of the left wall portion 12 is in close contact with the under sealing member 166. In addition, the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32 is in close contact with the under sealing member 166. In addition, similarly to the lower edge portion of the front portion of the left wall portion 12, a lower edge portion of the front wall portion 14 and a lower edge portion of a front portion of the right wall portion 13 are in close contact with the under sealing member 166 attached to the upper edge portion of the front lower cover portion 28.

In addition, FIG. 16F illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the left wall portion 12, the oil pan cover portion 29, the underframe 32, and the under sealing member 166 taken along a line F-F in FIG. 15B, as viewed from behind (the right in FIG. 15B). As illustrated in FIG. 16F, a rear portion of the under sealing member 166 is attached to the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 and is in close contact with the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29. In addition, a lower edge portion of a rear portion of the left wall portion 12 is in close contact with the under sealing member 166. Additionally, the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32 is in close contact with the under sealing member 166. Similarly to the lower edge portion of the rear portion of the left wall portion 12, a lower edge portion of a rear portion of the right wall portion 13 is also in close contact with the under sealing member 166 attached to the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29.

In addition, FIG. 16G illustrates end surfaces of cut portions of the rear wall portion 15, the oil pan cover portion 29, the underframe 32, and the under sealing member 166 taken along a line G-G in FIG. 15B, as viewed from behind (the right in FIG. 15B). As illustrated in FIG. 16G, a lower edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 is in close contact with the under sealing member 166 attached to the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29.

As described above, in the engine cover 11 of the example of the present invention, a user can separate the upper wall portion 16 from the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. In other words, the user can remove the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 while maintaining a state where the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 is attached to the outboard motor 1. By removing the upper wall portion 16, an opening through which the user can access the engine 3 is formed at the upper portion of the engine cover 11. This allows the user to carry out maintenance work on the engine 3, or the like.

Furthermore, even when the overall weight of the engine cover 11 is large, a weight of the upper wall portion 16, which is a part of the engine cover 11, is small. Furthermore, even when the overall volume of the engine cover 11 is large, a volume of the upper wall portion 16, which is a part of the engine cover 11, is small. A user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 by simply removing the light or small upper wall portion 16 from the outboard motor 1. In other words, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, the user can easily perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

Here, the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 of this example will be compared with an upper portion (for example, the upper portion of the engine cover that can be separated into upper and lower portions, as illustrated in FIG. 1 of JP2000-302095A) of an engine cover according to the related art. As described above, the upper portion of the engine cover of the related art covers upper, front, left, right, and rear surfaces of the engine from an upper end portion to an upper part of a lower portion of the engine. Furthermore, in the engine cover according to the related art, a boundary line between the upper portion and the lower portion of the engine cover is generally located below a middle portion in the up-down direction of the engine. In contrast, the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 in this example covers the upper surface of the engine 3. In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this example, the position of a boundary line between the upper wall portion 16 and the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 is set at an upper end portion of the engine 3 or above an upper end of the engine 3. As can be viewed from a structural difference between the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 of this example and the upper portion of the engine cover of the related art, a weight of the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 of this example can be made smaller than a weight of the upper portion of the engine cover of the related art. Furthermore, a volume of the upper wall portion 16 of the engine cover 11 of this example can be made smaller than a volume of the upper portion of the engine cover of the related art.

In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this example, a user can separate the rear wall portion 15 from the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. In other words, the user can remove the rear wall portion 15 of the engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 while maintaining a state where the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 is attached to the outboard motor 1. By removing the rear wall portion 15, the rear portion of the engine 3 is exposed to the outside. This allows the user to carry out maintenance work on the engine 3, or the like.

Furthermore, even when an overall weight of the engine cover 11 is large, a weight of the rear wall portion 15, which is a part of the engine cover 11, is small. Furthermore, even when the overall volume of the engine cover 11 is large, a volume of the rear wall portion 15, which is a part of the engine cover 11, is small. The user can perform engine maintenance work or the like by simply removing the light or small rear wall portion 15 from the outboard motor 1. In other words, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. This improves ease of maintenance work on the engine 3.

In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this example, a user can separate the front wall portion 14 from the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31. In other words, the user can remove the front wall portion 14 of the engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1 while maintaining a state where the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31 is attached to the outboard motor 1. By removing the front wall portion 14, an opening through which the user can access the engine 3 is formed at the front portion of the engine cover 11. This allows the user to carry out maintenance work on the engine 3, or the like.

Furthermore, even when the overall weight of the engine cover 11 is large, a weight of the front wall portion 14, which is a part of the engine cover 11, is small. Furthermore, even when the overall volume of the engine cover 11 is large, a volume of the front wall portion 14, which is a part of the engine cover 11, is small. A user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 by simply removing the light or small front wall portion 14 from the outboard motor 1. In other words, the user can perform maintenance work on the engine 3 without having to remove the entire heavy or large engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, the user can easily perform maintenance work on the engine 3.

In addition, in this example, the rear wall portion 15, upper wall portion 16, and front wall portion 14 of the engine cover 11 can be removed from the outboard motor 1, which increases an area of the engine 3 that a user can touch without having to remove the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, the number of parts of the engine 3 where maintenance can be performed on the engine 3 without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor is increased. This increases the number of maintenance items for the engine 3 that can be performed without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor 1. According to the engine cover 11 of this example, a user can easily perform various maintenance operations on the engine 3 without removing the entire engine cover 11 from the outboard motor.

In addition, with the engine cover 11 of this example, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, or the upper wall portion 16 can be removed from the outboard motor 1, so that maintenance work on the engine 3 of each outboard motor 1 can be easily performed even when a plurality of outboard motors 1 are mounted on the boat. That is, when a boat is equipped with a plurality of outboard motors 1, the plurality of outboard motors 1 are lined up at the rear portion of the boat at narrow intervals in a width direction of the boat. Therefore, it is difficult to access the engine 3 from the left or right side of the outboard motor 1 to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. In contrast, even when a plurality of outboard motors 1 are lined up at narrow intervals in the width direction of the boat, it is easy to access the engine 3 from the rear, top, or front of the outboard motor 1 to perform maintenance work on the engine 3. With the engine cover 11 of this example, the engine 3 can be accessed from the rear, top, or front of the outboard motor 1 by removing the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, or the front wall portion 14 from the outboard motor 1. Therefore, even when a plurality of outboard motors 1 are installed on a boat, maintenance work on the engine 3 of each outboard motor 1 can be easily performed.

Furthermore, with the engine cover 11 of this example, the rear wall portion 15 can be removed from the outboard motor 1, so that the user can easily perform maintenance work on the engine 3 by tilting up the outboard motor 1 on board the boat. That is, the user may carry out maintenance work on the engine 3 while the outboard motor 1 is tilted up on a boat. When the rear wall portion 15 of the engine cover 11 is removed from the outboard motor 1 with the outboard motor 1 tilted up, the rear portion of the engine 3 exposed to the outside by removing the rear wall portion 15 faces upward. This makes it easier to replace parts of the engine 3 on board, improving the ease of maintenance work on the engine 3.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the left wall portion 12 is fixed to the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44, the left side frame 41, and the left front portion of the underframe 32. By fixing the left wall portion 12 to these frames, the rigidity of the left wall portion 12 can be increased. In the engine cover 11 of this example, the right wall portion 13 is fixed to the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44, the right side frame 42, and the right front portion of the underframe 32. By fixing the right wall portion 13 to these frames, the rigidity of the right wall portion 13 can be increased.

In addition, by fixing the left wall portion 12 to the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44, the left side frame 41, and the left front portion of the underframe 32, the rigidity of the left wall portion 12 can be sufficiently increased without forming a reinforcing rib on an inner surface of the left wall portion 12, even when a thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the left wall portion 12. This makes it possible to eliminate sink marks on an outer surface of the left wall portion 12 made of a thermoplastic resin, thereby improving the external appearance of the engine cover 11. In addition, by fixing the right wall portion 13 to the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44, the right side frame 42, and the right front portion of the underframe 32, the rigidity of the right wall portion 13 can be sufficiently increased without forming a reinforcing rib on an inner surface of the right wall portion 13, even when a thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the right wall portion 13. This makes it possible to eliminate sink marks on an outer surface of the right wall portion 13 made of a thermoplastic resin, thereby improving the external appearance of the engine cover 11. That is, in a related art, when an engine cover is formed using a thermoplastic resin, reinforcing ribs are formed on an inner surface of a wall portion of the engine cover in order to increase the rigidity of the engine cover. When an engine cover having a reinforcing rib formed on an inner surface of a wall portion is molded from a thermoplastic resin, sink marks may be formed on an outer surface of the wall portion after molding in an area corresponding to the reinforcing rib formed on the inner surface of the wall portion. The sink marks formed on the outer surface of the wall portion deteriorate the external appearance of the engine cover. According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate such sink marks and improve the external appearance of the engine cover 11.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 is fixed to the underframe 32. By fixing the upper edge portion of the oil pan cover portion 29 to the underframe 32, the rigidity of the oil pan cover portion 29 can be increased. Furthermore, by increasing the rigidity of the oil pan cover portion 29, the rigidity of the engine cover 11 can be increased. Furthermore, by fixing the oil pan cover portion 29 to the underframe 32, the rigidity of the oil pan cover portion 29 can be sufficiently increased without forming a reinforcing rib on an inner surface of the oil pan cover portion 29, even when a thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the oil pan cover portion 29. This makes it possible to eliminate sink marks on an outer surface of the oil pan cover portion 29 made of a thermoplastic resin, thereby improving the external appearance of the engine cover 11.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the front portion of the front lower cover portion 28 is locked to the underframe 32, and the rear portion of the front lower cover portion 28 is fixed to the underframe 32. This makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the front lower cover portion 28. Furthermore, even when a thermoplastic resin is used as the material for the front lower cover portion 28, the rigidity of the front lower cover portion 28 can be sufficiently increased without forming a reinforcing rib on an inner surface of the front lower cover portion 28. This makes it possible to eliminate sink marks on an outer surface of the front lower cover portion 28 made of a thermoplastic resin, thereby improving the external appearance of the engine cover 11.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the upper wall portion 16 is detachably attached to the upper frame 43. With this configuration, when the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the rear wall portion 15, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31, the upper wall portion 16 can be supported by the upper frame 43, thereby increasing the attaching strength of the upper wall portion 16.

In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this example, the left edge portion (the front edge portion of the left portion of the rear wall portion 15) of the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12 fixed to the left side frame 41. In addition, the right edge portion (the front edge portion of the right portion of the rear wall portion 15) of the rear wall portion 15 is detachably attached to the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13 fixed to the right side frame 42. With this configuration, when the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31, the left edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned so as to extend along the left side frame 41, and the right edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned so as to extend along the right side frame 42. Therefore, the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 can be supported by the left side frame 41 and the right side frame 42, thereby increasing the attaching strength of the rear wall portion 15. On the other hand, by releasing the joining between the left edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 and the rear edge portion of the left wall portion 12, and by releasing the joining between the right edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 and the rear edge portion of the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15 can be easily removed from the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31.

In addition, when the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the front wall portion 14, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31, the lower edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned so as to extend along the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32, and the upper edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 is positioned so as to extend along the upper frame 43. With this configuration, the lower edge portion and the upper edge portion of the rear wall portion 15 can be supported by the side plate portion 34 of the underframe 32 and the upper frame 43, thereby increasing the attaching strength of the rear wall portion 15.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the front wall portion 14 is detachably attached to the front frame 44. With this configuration, when the front wall portion 14 is attached to the portion of the engine cover 11 including the left wall portion 12, the right wall portion 13, the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, the front lower cover portion 28, the oil pan cover portion 29, and the framework 31, the front wall portion 14 can be supported by the front frame 44, thereby increasing the attaching strength of the front wall portion 14.

In addition, since the engine cover 11 of this example is provided with the highly rigid framework 31 formed from a metal such as aluminum, even when the rear wall portion 15 is removed from the remaining part of the engine cover 11 except the rear wall portion 15, or even when the upper wall portion 16 is removed from the remaining part of the engine cover 11 except the upper wall portion 16, or even when the front wall portion 14 is removed from the remaining part of the engine cover 11 except the front wall portion 14, or even when the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, and the front wall portion 14 are removed from the remaining part of the engine cover 11 except the rear wall portion 15, the upper wall portion 16, and the front wall portion 14, a decrease in the rigidity of the engine cover 11 can be suppressed and sufficient rigidity of the engine cover 11 can be ensured.

In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this example, the upper wall portion 16 includes the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 that covers the inner cover portion 17 from above, and is formed by joining the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 to each other. By forming the upper wall portion 16 by joining the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 to each other, rigidity of the upper wall portion 16 can be increased. Furthermore, by configuring the outer cover portion 21 to be joined to the inner cover portion 17, sufficient rigidity of the outer cover portion 21 can be ensured without forming a reinforcing rib on the inner surface of the outer cover portion 21, and thus sink marks can be eliminated from the outer surface of the outer cover portion 21. This improves the external appearance of the engine cover 11. In addition, the lid 24 provided on the outer cover portion 21 can cover and conceal the joint member 122 that joins the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21 to each other, and the joint member 121 that joins the upper wall portion 16 to the upper frame 43. This improves the external appearance of the engine cover 11.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the upper sealing member 161 extends along the upper frame 43. This allows the upper sealing member 161 to be supported by the upper frame 43, thereby improving the sealing performance of the upper sealing member 161. Therefore, the boundaries between the left wall portion 12, the front wall portion 14, the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15, and the upper wall portion 16 can be reliably sealed by the upper sealing member 161.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the left side sealing member 163 extends along the left side frame 41. This allows the left side sealing member 163 to be supported by the left side frame 41, thereby improving the sealing performance of the left side sealing member 163. Therefore, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the rear wall portion 15 can be reliably sealed by the left side sealing member 163. In addition, the right side sealing member 165 extends along the right side frame 42. This allows the right side sealing member 165 to be supported by the right side frame 42, and the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the rear wall portion 15 can be reliably sealed by the right side sealing member 165.

In addition, the left front sealing member 162 extends along the pillar portion 46 on the left side of the front frame 44. This allows the left front sealing member 162 to be supported by the front frame 44, thereby improving the sealing performance of the left front sealing member 162. Therefore, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front wall portion 14 can be reliably sealed by the left front sealing member 162. In addition, the right front sealing member 164 extends along the pillar portion 46 on the right side of the front frame 44. This allows the right front sealing member 164 to be supported by the front frame 44, and the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front wall portion 14 can be reliably sealed by the right front sealing member 164.

In addition, the under sealing member 166 extends along the side plate portion 34 and the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32. This allows the under sealing member 166 to be supported by the side plate portion 34 and the forward protrusion portion 35 of the underframe 32, thereby improving the sealing performance of the under sealing member 166. Therefore, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the oil pan cover portion 29, the boundary between the left wall portion 12 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the front wall portion 14 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the front lower cover portion 28, the boundary between the right wall portion 13 and the oil pan cover portion 29, and the boundary between the rear wall portion 15 and the oil pan cover portion 29 can be reliably sealed by the under sealing member 166.

In addition, in the engine cover 11 of this example, the rear portion of the upper wall portion 16 is attached to the rear end portion of the upper frame 43 by hooking the locking target protrusion 151 provided on the upper wall portion 16 onto the rear end portion 43A of the upper frame 43. This allows the rear portion of the upper wall portion 16 to be easily attached to and detached from the upper frame 43.

In the engine cover 11 of this example, the rear wall portion 15 is attached to the left wall portion 12 and the right wall portion 13 by using the locking mechanisms 131 and 141. This allows the rear wall portion 15 to be easily attached to and detached from the left wall portion 12 and the right wall portion 13.

In the above-described example, the upper wall portion 16 is formed by the inner cover portion 17 and the outer cover portion 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper wall portion may be formed by a single member (for example, a single resin molded article). Even when the upper wall portion is formed from a single resin molded article using thermoplastic resin, the outer edge of the upper wall portion is supported by the upper frame 43, so that sufficient rigidity of the upper wall portion can be ensured without forming a reinforcing rib on the inner surface of the upper wall portion, and thus sink marks can be eliminated from the outer surface of the upper wall portion.

Furthermore, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and engine covers with such modifications are also included in the technical concept of the present invention.