Landing leg integrated cooling system for electric outboard engine

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of cooling systems, and particularly discloses a supporting leg integrated cooling system for an electric outboard engine. The supporting leg integrated cooling system for the electric outboard engine comprises a water pump, an expansion water tank, a supporting leg and a cooling water pipeline, the cooling water pipeline is used for being connected with a controller of the electric outboard engine and a circulating water channel of a motor, and a spiral cavity is formed in the supporting leg. The water outlet end of the water pump, the circulating water channel of the controller, the circulating water channel of the motor and the water inlet end of the expansion water tank are sequentially communicated through cooling water pipelines, and the water outlet end of the expansion water tank and the water inlet end of the water pump are communicated with the spiral cavity through the cooling water pipelines. On the premise that the cooling requirements of heat sources such as a motor and a controller are met, the system is simplified, a seawater pump and a plate heat exchanger are removed, cost and weight are reduced, reliability and seaworthiness are improved, and the system can adapt to shallow water and water areas containing more sand and impurities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of cooling systems, and in particular to an integrated cooling system for outriggers of electric outboard motors. Background Technology

[0002] With increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements and the rapid development of battery, motor, and electronic control technologies, electric outboard motors are gradually becoming the ideal power choice for small boats, yachts, and fishing boats due to their advantages such as zero emissions, low noise, high efficiency, and easy maintenance. However, the core power component of an electric outboard motor—the high-power permanent magnet synchronous motor and its matching high-power-density controller—generates a significant amount of Joule heat and iron loss heat during operation. If this heat cannot be dissipated in a timely and effective manner, it will lead to excessive temperature rise in the motor windings, an increased risk of demagnetization of the permanent magnets, and excessive junction temperatures of the controller's power components. This can result in decreased efficiency, limited output power, reduced reliability, and even permanent damage, severely hindering the development of electric outboard motors towards higher power, longer range, and greater compactness.

[0003] In related technologies, an internal circulation cooling system for an electric outboard motor is disclosed, including a seawater pump, a heat exchanger, a water pump, and an expansion tank. The controller and motor of the electric outboard motor have circulating water channels for cooling. Cold seawater for the electric outboard motor is pumped to the heat exchanger by the seawater pump. The water pump pumps the circulating water in the controller, motor, and expansion tank to the heat exchanger. After the cold seawater exchanges heat with the high-temperature circulating water, it becomes hot seawater and is then discharged into the sea. The high-temperature circulating water is cooled and continues to participate in the circulation, thereby completing the cooling of the controller, motor, and other working devices.

[0004] However, such cooling systems are complex in structure, large in size, heavy in weight, and expensive in cost. Furthermore, seawater pumps and heat exchangers are prone to clogging, scaling, and corrosion, resulting in high maintenance costs. Therefore, a cooling system with a simple structure that does not require seawater pumps or heat exchangers is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to simplify the structure of the cooling system for electric outboard motors and reduce cooling system failures caused by blockages in seawater pumps or heat exchangers, this application provides an integrated cooling system for the outboard legs of electric outboard motors.

[0006] In the first aspect, the integrated cooling system for the outriggers of an electric outboard motor provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: An integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor includes a water pump, an expansion tank, outriggers, and cooling water pipes. The cooling water pipes are used to connect the controller of the electric outboard motor and the circulating water channel of the motor. The outriggers have a spiral cavity inside. The outlet of the water pump, the circulating water channel of the controller, the circulating water channel of the motor, and the inlet of the expansion tank are sequentially connected through the cooling water pipes. The outlet of the expansion tank and the inlet of the water pump are both connected to the spiral cavity through the cooling water pipes.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the controller and motor of the electric outboard motor are the main heat-generating components. During operation, the circulating water in the controller's circulating water channel flows sequentially through the motor's circulating water channel, expansion tank, spiral chamber, and water pump. Since the outriggers are immersed in seawater, the high-temperature circulating water enters the spiral chamber and forms a heat exchange surface through the outer wall of the outriggers, thus rapidly cooling down and becoming cooler circulating water again. The water pump then delivers the cooler circulating water back to the controller's circulating water channel, thereby achieving continuous circulating cooling of the electric outboard motor's controller and motor. The spiral chamber can be coiled as needed; the more coils, the longer the circulating water travels within the spiral chamber, and the longer the heat exchange time, which helps dissipate heat.

[0008] Furthermore, by eliminating the need for separate heat exchangers and seawater pumps, the number of components in the cooling system is reduced, system complexity is lowered, potential failure points are reduced, system reliability is improved, and failures due to blockages in the seawater pumps or heat exchangers are avoided. This also helps to simplify the structure, reduce material and manufacturing costs, lighten the system weight, fully utilize the existing structure of the outboard motor legs without occupying additional space, and allows for more flexible internal layout.

[0009] In one specific implementation, the support leg includes an outer shell, an inner cylinder, and a heat transfer core material. The inner cylinder is inserted into the outer shell, and the top end of the inner cylinder is fixedly connected to the top end of the outer shell. The heat transfer core material fills the space enclosed by the outer peripheral wall of the inner cylinder and the inner peripheral wall of the outer shell. The spiral cavity is located inside the heat transfer core material, and the cooling water pipeline is connected to the spiral cavity.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the heat transfer core material is a material with high thermal conductivity, which can quickly conduct the heat of the high-temperature circulating water in the spiral cavity to the outer shell, which facilitates the rapid dissipation of the heat of the high-temperature circulating water and achieves rapid cooling of the high-temperature circulating water.

[0011] In one specific implementation, a plurality of heat dissipation fins are fixedly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the housing.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the heat dissipation fins can increase the contact area between the outer shell and seawater, thereby accelerating heat dissipation from the outer shell and helping to improve the heat dissipation rate.

[0013] In one specific implementation, a number of protrusions are fixedly connected to the peripheral wall of the spiral cavity.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the circulating water will collide with the protrusions during the flow inside the spiral cavity, which will disrupt the laminar boundary layer of the circulating water, increase the degree of turbulence, enhance internal convective heat transfer, and help to further improve the heat dissipation effect.

[0015] In one specific implementation, the protrusion has a notch.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the gap can increase the number of impacts of circulating water, increase the degree of turbulence, and further enhance internal convective heat transfer.

[0017] In one specific implementation, a temperature sensor is provided inside the heat transfer core material, and the temperature sensor is electrically connected to the controller of the electric outboard motor.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the temperature sensor can monitor the temperature of the heat transfer core material in real time, thereby monitoring the heat dissipation process and helping to grasp the heat dissipation situation in a timely manner.

[0019] In one specific implementation scheme, the bottom wall of the inner cylinder is provided with an electrical wire through hole, and an isolation tube sleeve is inserted into the electrical wire through hole. The bottom end of the isolation tube sleeve is fixedly connected to a temperature sensor.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the wires are run through the wire through hole and the isolation sleeve. The isolation sleeve can reduce the damage to the wires caused by the heat from the inner cylinder and the heat transfer core material.

[0021] In one specific implementation, a sealing ring is provided inside the through hole, the isolation sleeve passes through the sealing ring, the outer peripheral wall of the sealing ring abuts against the peripheral wall of the wire through hole, and the inner peripheral wall of the sealing ring abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the isolation sleeve.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the sealing ring can prevent seawater from entering the heat transfer core material, thus protecting both the heat transfer core material and the temperature sensor.

[0023] In summary, this application has the following beneficial effects: 1. This application, by incorporating a helical cavity within the outrigger, eliminates the need for a separate heat exchanger and seawater pump. This reduces the number of components in the cooling system, lowers system complexity, reduces potential failure points, improves system reliability, and prevents failures due to blockage of the seawater pump or heat exchanger. It also facilitates structural simplification, reduces material and manufacturing costs, lightens system weight, fully utilizes the existing structure of the outrigger, does not occupy additional space, and allows for more flexible internal layout.

[0024] 2. By setting heat dissipation fins and protrusions in this application, the heat dissipation effect can be further improved.

[0025] 3. By setting a temperature sensor, this application can monitor the temperature of the heat transfer core material in real time, thereby monitoring the heat dissipation process and helping to grasp the heat dissipation situation in a timely manner. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the circulating water flow path of the integrated cooling system for the outriggers of the electric outboard motor in this embodiment of the application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated cooling system for the outriggers of the electric outboard motor in this embodiment of the application; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure at point A; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure at point B; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the support leg in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Water pump; 2. Expansion tank; 3. Support leg; 31. Spiral cavity; 32. Outer shell; 33. Inner cylinder; 331. Wire through hole; 332. Water inlet; 333. Water outlet; 34. Heat transfer core material; 341. Equipment mounting slot; 35. Heat dissipation fins; 36. Protrusion; 361. Notch; 37. Temperature sensor; 38. Isolation sleeve; 39. Sealing ring; 4. Cooling water pipeline; 5. Controller; 6. Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0029] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.

[0030] Reference Figure 1-2 This application discloses an integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor, including a water pump 1, an expansion tank 2, outriggers 3, and cooling water pipes 4.

[0031] The outrigger 3 has a spiral cavity 31 coiled several times along its vertical direction. Both the controller 5 and motor 6 of the electric outboard motor have circulating water channels (not shown in the figure). The outlet of the water pump 1 is connected to the circulating water channel of the controller 5 via a cooling water pipe 4. The circulating water channel of the controller 5 is connected to the circulating water channel of the motor 6 via a cooling water pipe 4. The circulating water channel of the motor 6 is connected to the inlet of the expansion tank 2 via a cooling water pipe 4. The outlet of the expansion tank 2 is connected to the inlet of the spiral cavity 31 via a cooling water pipe 4. The outlet of the spiral cavity 31 is connected to the inlet of the water pump 1 via a cooling water pipe 4.

[0032] Reference Figure 2-5 The support leg 3 includes an outer shell 32, an inner cylinder 33, and a heat transfer core material 34. The inner cylinder 33 is inserted into the outer shell 32, and the top end of the inner cylinder 33 is welded to the top end of the outer shell 32. The outer peripheral wall of the inner cylinder 33 and the inner peripheral wall of the outer shell 32 form a space, and the heat transfer core material 34 fills this space. The heat transfer core material 34 is a high thermal conductivity material; in this embodiment, the heat transfer core material 34 is an aluminum alloy. The spiral cavity 31 is located inside the heat transfer core material 34. The inner peripheral wall of the inner cylinder 33 is provided with an inlet 332 and an outlet 333. The inlet 332 is connected to the inlet end of the spiral cavity 31, and the outlet 333 is connected to the outlet end of the spiral cavity 31. The cooling water pipe 4 is inserted into the inlet 332 and the outlet 333.

[0033] Reference Figure 2-5 A plurality of heat dissipation fins 35 are integrally connected to the outer peripheral wall of the outer shell 32. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 35 are distributed sequentially along the circumference of the outer shell 32, and the length direction of the heat dissipation fins 35 is the same as the axial direction of the outer shell 32. A plurality of protrusions 36 are integrally connected to the peripheral wall of the spiral cavity 31, and the protrusions 36 are provided with notches 361.

[0034] When the cooling water pipe 4 introduces high-temperature circulating water into the spiral cavity 31 through the inlet 332, the heat transfer core material 34 rapidly conducts the heat of the circulating water to the outer shell 32 and the heat dissipation fins 35. Since the support leg 3 is constantly submerged in seawater, the outer shell 32 and the heat dissipation fins 35 can quickly transfer heat to the seawater, achieving a rapid cooling effect on the circulating water. As the circulating water flows within the spiral cavity 31, it collides with the protrusion 36 and again when flowing through the notch 361, thereby disrupting the laminar boundary layer of the circulating water, increasing turbulence, and enhancing internal convective heat transfer.

[0035] Reference Figure 2-5 The heat transfer core material 34 has an equipment mounting groove 341 inside, and a temperature sensor 37 is installed in the equipment mounting groove 341. The temperature sensor 37 is riveted to the heat transfer core material 34 and is electrically connected to the controller 5 of the outboard motor via a wire (not shown in the figure).

[0036] Reference Figure 2-5 The inner bottom wall of the inner cylinder 33 has an electrical wire through hole 331. A sealing ring 39 is inserted into the electrical wire through hole 331, and the outer peripheral wall of the sealing ring 39 abuts against the peripheral wall of the electrical wire through hole 331. An isolation sleeve 38 is inserted into the sealing ring 39, and the inner peripheral wall of the sealing ring 39 abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the isolation sleeve 38. The bottom end of the isolation sleeve 38 is inserted into the equipment mounting groove 341 and riveted to the temperature sensor 37. The electrical wire passes through the inner cylinder 33 and the isolation sleeve 38 in sequence.

[0037] The implementation principle of the integrated cooling system for the outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: When the controller 5 and motor 6 of the electric outboard motor are working, the water pump 1 is started, and the circulating water inside the circulating water channel of the controller 5 and motor 6 flows along the cooling water pipe 4. The circulating water carries away the heat from the controller 5 and motor 6, becoming high-temperature circulating water. After entering the expansion tank 2, the high-temperature circulating water enters the spiral cavity 31 and flows along the spiral cavity 31.

[0038] The heat from the high-temperature circulating water is conducted to the outer shell 32 and the heat dissipation fins 35 through the heat transfer core material 34. Since the support leg 3 is immersed in seawater for a long time, the outer shell 32 and the heat dissipation fins 35 can exchange heat with the seawater rapidly. When the high-temperature circulating water flows in the spiral cavity 31, it collides with the protrusion 36, which enhances the internal convection heat transfer.

[0039] After the circulating water flows out of the spiral cavity 31, it is cooled to a lower temperature and then flows into the circulating water channel of the controller 5 and the motor 6 through the water pump 1 and the cooling water pipeline 4 to continuously cool the controller 5 and the motor 6.

[0040] This specific embodiment is merely an explanation of this application and is not intended to limit it. After reading this specification, those skilled in the art can make modifications to this embodiment without contributing any inventive step, but such modifications are protected by patent law as long as they fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An integrated cooling system for the outriggers of an electric outboard motor, characterized in that, It includes a water pump (1), an expansion tank (2), outriggers (3) and a cooling water pipeline (4). The cooling water pipeline (4) is used to connect the controller (5) and the circulating water channel of the motor (6) of the electric outboard motor. The outrigger (3) is provided with a spiral cavity (31). The water outlet of the water pump (1), the circulating water channel of the controller (5), the circulating water channel of the motor (6) and the water inlet of the expansion tank (2) are connected in sequence through the cooling water pipeline (4). The water outlet of the expansion tank (2) and the water inlet of the water pump (1) are both connected to the spiral cavity (31) through the cooling water pipeline (4).

2. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support leg (3) includes an outer shell (32), an inner cylinder (33) and a heat transfer core material (34). The inner cylinder (33) is inserted into the outer shell (32). The top end of the inner cylinder (33) is fixedly connected to the top end of the outer shell (32). The heat transfer core material (34) fills the space enclosed by the outer peripheral wall of the inner cylinder (33) and the inner peripheral wall of the outer shell (32). The spiral cavity (31) is located inside the heat transfer core material (34). The cooling water pipe (4) is connected to the spiral cavity (31).

3. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: Several heat dissipation fins (35) are fixedly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the outer shell (32).

4. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: Several protrusions (36) are fixedly connected to the peripheral wall of the spiral cavity (31).

5. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 4, characterized in that: The protrusion (36) has a notch (361).

6. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat transfer core material (34) is equipped with a temperature sensor (37), which is electrically connected to the controller (5) of the electric outboard motor.

7. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the inner cylinder (33) is provided with an electrical wire through hole (331), and an isolation tube sleeve (38) is inserted into the electrical wire through hole (331). The bottom end of the isolation tube sleeve (38) is fixedly connected to the temperature sensor (37).

8. The integrated cooling system for outriggers of an electric outboard motor according to claim 7, characterized in that: A sealing ring (39) is provided inside the through hole, and the isolation sleeve (38) passes through the sealing ring (39). The outer peripheral wall of the sealing ring (39) abuts against the peripheral wall of the wire through hole (331), and the inner peripheral wall of the sealing ring (39) abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the isolation sleeve (38).

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