A rafting hidden electric propeller
By installing a concealed electric propulsion unit inside the raft, the problems of low propulsion efficiency and easy equipment damage in traditional rafts are solved, achieving a balance between efficient propulsion, aesthetics, and equipment protection. It is applicable to various raft models and reduces construction difficulty and cost.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522457045.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-11-19
AI Technical Summary
Traditional raft propulsion relies on manual paddling, which is labor-intensive and inefficient. External electric propulsion systems are aesthetically unappealing, easily damaged, and have high water resistance.
Design a concealed electric propulsion unit installed inside the raft carrier, including a shell, controller, motor and propeller. The motor is controlled by the control console to drive the propeller to rotate and achieve the propulsion function, and a steering nozzle is set at the tail to change the direction of water flow.
It improves propulsion efficiency and equipment lifespan, maintains the aesthetic appearance of the raft, reduces failure rate, reduces water resistance, achieves energy saving and speed increase, and is applicable to various raft models with simple installation.
Smart Images
Figure CN224941303U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of propulsion devices for water vehicles, specifically to a concealed electric propulsion device for a raft. Background Technology
[0002] A raft is a means of transportation used for water transport. It consists of multiple bamboo poles arranged closely together, and then connected and fixed together by multiple connecting rods along the raft's transverse direction.
[0003] Traditional propulsion methods mainly rely on the following two technologies:
[0004] 1. Manual rowing: Relies on manpower, is labor-intensive, has low propulsion efficiency, and cannot meet the needs of long-distance and long-duration navigation;
[0005] 2. External electric propulsion: The device is exposed to the outside of the raft, which damages the overall aesthetics of the raft; it is susceptible to collision and entanglement with underwater debris, resulting in a high equipment damage rate; the external structure increases water resistance, affects navigation efficiency, and has poor coordination with the raft structure. Utility Model Content
[0006] Therefore, this application provides a concealed electric propulsion device for rafts to solve the problems of low propulsion efficiency and easy damage of existing raft propulsion methods.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:
[0008] A concealed electric propulsion device for a raft, wherein the concealed electric propulsion device is installed at the tail of the raft carrier, the raft carrier is composed of multiple tubes arranged side by side in sequence, wherein at least one tube serves as a compartment for installing the concealed electric propulsion device, and an opening is provided at its tail.
[0009] The concealed electric propulsion unit is housed within the cabin and includes a housing. Inside the housing are a controller and a motor, and outside the housing is a propeller located near the opening. The motor is located between the controller and the propeller, with its output shaft facing the opening and connected to the propeller. The controller is electrically connected to the motor to control its operation and communicates with a control console located at the raft carrier's operating position via wired or wireless means.
[0010] The housing is integrally formed with a cover on one side of the propeller. The cover is located outside the propeller, and a water inlet is provided at the bottom of the cover. The pipe body is open at the position corresponding to the water inlet. The tail of the cover serves as the water outlet, and a steering nozzle is provided at the tail of the cover outside the raft carrier. The steering nozzle is driven by a steering mechanism to achieve steering of the raft carrier. The steering mechanism is connected to the controller.
[0011] Optionally, it also includes a drive shaft located inside the housing, one end of which is located inside the housing and connected to the output shaft, and the other end extends outside the housing and is connected to the propeller.
[0012] Optionally, the steering nozzle is rotatably connected to the housing via a pin.
[0013] Optionally, the pin is divided into an upper pin and a lower pin, which are respectively disposed on the upper and lower parts of the cover.
[0014] The upper and lower parts of the steering nozzle are integrally provided with an upper ring and a lower ring, respectively; the upper ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper pin and can rotate around it; the lower ring is sleeved on the outside of the lower pin and can rotate around it.
[0015] Optionally, the controller has a cable outlet at the end furthest from the motor, which is used to lead out power lines and control lines and connect them to the control console.
[0016] Optionally, the controller has a cover at the end away from the motor, and the cover is connected to the housing.
[0017] Optionally, the main body of the motor is fixed inside the housing, its output shaft extends outward through the housing shaft hole, and a sealing ring is provided at the connection between the output shaft and the housing.
[0018] Optionally, the outer diameter of the housing is the same as the inner diameter of the tube, and the connection is achieved by screws and sealant.
[0019] Optionally, the pipe body is a PVC pipe.
[0020] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0021] 1. Based on further analysis and research of existing technical problems, this application provides a concealed electric propulsion system for rafts. The concealed electric propulsion system is installed inside the raft carrier at the stern. It includes a housing, a controller, a motor, and a propeller. The controller drives the motor via a control console, causing the propeller to rotate and generating thrust for the propeller and the entire raft, controlling the raft's forward and backward movement and speed adjustment. This application embeds the electric propulsion system within the raft carrier, achieving a unified design of propulsion function with concealment and protection through the integrated design of the raft carrier and the concealed electric propulsion system. The overall structure is compact and easy to use. It provides physical protection for the propeller through the pipe body, significantly reducing the equipment failure rate and extending its service life, while preserving the appearance of the raft and maintaining its original or minimalist visual effect, thus enhancing the product's market appeal. The concealed structure optimizes the water flow, reduces additional water resistance, and improves propulsion efficiency, achieving the dual benefits of energy saving and speed increase. Based on the standardized design of the pipe body (PVC pipe), it is easy to install quickly in various types of rafts, reducing construction difficulty and cost, and has a wide range of applications. Unlike traditional propellers, the concealed electric propeller only requires half the draft of the raft pipe body to operate.
[0022] This application also integrates a cover on one side of the propeller housing, located outside the drive shaft and propeller. This cover provides some protection for the propeller, improves safety, further reduces the risk of damage, and extends service life. It can also serve as a flow guide, regulating and accelerating the water flow through the propeller, reducing energy loss, and improving propulsion efficiency and overall thrust. At the same time, a steering nozzle is provided at the tail of the propeller, which, driven by a steering mechanism, changes the direction of the water jet from the propeller, thereby enabling the entire raft to steer.
[0023] 2. The end of the controller away from the motor is also equipped with a cover to isolate the internal environment of the raft pipe. This effectively prevents the intrusion of small amounts of water caused by environmental moisture, condensation, or accidents, further protecting the controller and motor and improving the long-term reliability and service life of the system.
[0024] 3. This application provides a sealing ring at the connection between the motor output shaft and the housing to further prevent external water from seeping into the housing through the gap between the output shaft and the housing, thereby further protecting the motor and the controller. Attached Figure Description
[0025] To more intuitively illustrate the prior art and this application, exemplary drawings are provided below. It should be understood that the specific shapes and structures shown in the drawings should not generally be regarded as limiting conditions for implementing this application; for example, based on the technical concept disclosed in this application and the exemplary drawings, those skilled in the art are able to easily make conventional adjustments or further optimizations to the addition / reduction / classification, specific shapes, positional relationships, connection methods, size ratios, etc. of certain units (components).
[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a raft-type concealed electric propulsion device provided in one embodiment of this application;
[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Partial cross-sectional view of the concealed electric thruster (without steering nozzles);
[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Frontal cross-sectional view of the concealed electric thruster (without steering nozzles);
[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of concealed electric thruster Figure 1 (Without steering nozzles);
[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of concealed electric thruster Figure 2 (A steering nozzle is provided at the rear);
[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shown is of the tail section.
[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0033] 1. Raft carrier; 11. Pipe body; 12. Opening; 2. Concealed electric propulsion unit; 21. Shell; 22. Controller; 23. Motor; 24. Propeller; 25. Cover; 251. Inlet; 252. Outlet; 26. Cover; 27. Cable outlet; 28. Drive shaft; 3. Steering nozzle; 4. Pin. Detailed Implementation
[0034] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0035] In the description of this application: unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc., in this application are intended to distinguish the objects referred to and do not have any special meaning in terms of technical connotation (e.g., they should not be construed as an emphasis on importance or order). Expressions such as "including," "comprising," and "having" also mean "not limited to" (certain units, components, materials, steps, etc.).
[0036] The terms used in this application, such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and "middle," are generally used to indicate the general relative positional relationship for the purpose of intuitive understanding by referring to the accompanying drawings, and are not absolute limitations on the positional relationship in the actual product.
[0037] One embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1-6 As shown, a raft concealed electric propulsion device is provided. The concealed electric propulsion device 2 is installed at the tail of the raft carrier 1. The raft carrier 1 is composed of multiple tubes 11 arranged side by side in sequence. At least one tube 11 serves as the cabin for installing the concealed electric propulsion device 2. The tail of the tube 11 is provided with an opening 12.
[0038] The concealed electric propulsion unit 2 is housed within the cabin, including a housing 21. Inside the housing 21 are a controller 22 and a motor 23, and outside the housing 21 is a propeller 24 located near the opening 12. The motor 23 is located between the controller 22 and the propeller 24, with the output shaft of the motor 23 facing the opening 12 and connected to the propeller 24. The controller 22 is electrically connected to the motor 23 to control its operation and communicates with the control console located at the operating position of the raft carrier 1 via wired or wireless means.
[0039] In one embodiment, a drive shaft 28 is provided between the output shaft of the motor 23 and the propeller 24. One end of the drive shaft 28 is located inside the housing 21 and connected to the output shaft, while the other end extends out of the housing 21 and is connected to the propeller 24.
[0040] The housing 21 is integrally provided with a cover 25 on one side of the propeller 24. The cover 25 is located outside the drive shaft 28 and the propeller 24. The end of the cover 25 near the propeller 24 is open, which serves as the water outlet 252. The bottom of the cover 25 is provided with a water inlet 251 corresponding to the position of the drive shaft 28. The tube 11 for installing the concealed electric thruster 2 is open at the position corresponding to the water inlet 251.
[0041] The function of the cover 25 is to protect the propeller 24, improve the safety of use, reduce the risk of damage, and extend the service life; it can also act as a flow guide, which can regulate and accelerate the water flow through the propeller 24, reduce energy loss, and improve propulsion efficiency and overall thrust.
[0042] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, a steering nozzle 3 is provided at the tail of the cover 25. The steering nozzle 3 is located outside the raft carrier 1 and is rotatably connected to the cover 25 by a pin 4. The steering nozzle 3 is driven by a steering mechanism to achieve the steering of the raft carrier. The steering mechanism is connected to the controller 22.
[0043] The aforementioned steering nozzle 3 is rotatably connected to the tail of the propeller via pin 4 and driven by the steering mechanism. It directly changes the direction of the water flow ejected by the propeller (jet pump) and provides the torque required for steering the entire raft carrier by utilizing the vector change of the reaction force.
[0044] Preferably, the pin 4 is divided into an upper pin and a lower pin, which are respectively located on the upper and lower parts of the cover 25, serving as the axis for the rotation of the steering nozzle 3;
[0045] The upper and lower parts of the steering nozzle 3 are respectively integrally provided with an upper ring and a lower ring; the upper ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper pin and can rotate around it; the lower ring is sleeved on the outside of the lower pin and can rotate around it.
[0046] Preferably, the end of the controller 22 away from the motor 23 is provided with a cable outlet 27, which is used to lead out the power line and control line and finally connect to the control console located at the raft operation position.
[0047] Preferably, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a cover 26 is provided at the end of the controller 22 away from the motor 23. The cover 26 is connected to the housing 21. Its function is to isolate the internal environment of the raft pipe 11, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of a small amount of water due to environmental moisture, condensation or accidental situations, further protecting the controller 22 and the motor 23, and improving the long-term reliability and service life of the system.
[0048] In another embodiment, the main body of the motor 23 is fixed inside the housing 21, and its output shaft extends outward through the shaft hole of the housing 21 and is connected to the aforementioned transmission shaft 28. A sealing ring is provided at the connection between the output shaft and the housing 21 to further prevent external water from seeping into the housing through the gap between the output shaft and the housing, thereby further protecting the motor and the controller.
[0049] Preferably, the outer diameter of the housing 21 is the same as the inner diameter of the tube 11, and the connection is achieved by screws and sealant.
[0050] Preferably, the pipe body 11 is a PVC pipe. Taking advantage of the lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties of PVC pipe, it is used as the installation carrier and protective structure of the propeller, and the layout of the PVC pipe is adapted according to the specifications of the raft.
[0051] The propeller's power output component (propeller 24) operates in the pre-set water flow channel of the PVC pipe to ensure effective power transmission; it is equipped with a lightweight control system that can adjust the speed and direction wirelessly or via wired means.
[0052] In the above embodiment, when in use, the operator issues commands (such as start, accelerate, decelerate, reverse) on the control panel at the raft operation position. These commands are transmitted via wired or wireless means to the propeller controller 22 housed in the raft tube body 11. The controller 22 drives the motor 23 to work according to the commands, and outputs power outward through its output axis to drive the propeller 24 located outside the shell 21 to rotate. The blades of the propeller 24 push the water flow, and the water flow generates thrust on the propeller 24 and the entire raft, thereby controlling the raft to move forward, backward and adjust its speed. At the same time, a steering nozzle 3 is also provided at the tail of the propeller to change the direction of the water flow by deflection, thereby realizing the steering of the raft.
[0053] This application achieves a unified design of "propulsion function" and "concealment and protection" by integrating the raft carrier 1 (PVC pipe) with the concealed electric propulsion unit 2, that is, by embedding the electric propulsion system inside the PVC pipe.
[0054] 1. Concealment and Aesthetics: The propeller is concealed inside the PVC pipe, which does not affect the appearance of the raft (such as a bamboo raft), maintains its original or simple visual effect, and enhances the product's market appeal.
[0055] 2. Equipment protection: The PVC pipe provides physical protection for the propeller, reducing the risks of collision, debris entanglement, and abrasion from sand and gravel, significantly reducing the equipment failure rate and extending its service life;
[0056] 3. Power efficiency: The concealed structure optimizes the water flow streamline, reduces additional water resistance, improves propulsion efficiency, and achieves the dual benefits of "energy saving + speed increase";
[0057] 4. Installation and versatility: Based on the standardized design of PVC pipes, it is easy to install quickly in various types of rafts (including the renovation of existing rafts), reducing construction difficulty and cost, and has a wide range of applications.
[0058] 5. Unlike traditional propellers, the concealed electric propeller only requires half the water level of the raft pipe to operate.
[0059] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way (as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features). For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described; these embodiments not explicitly written should also be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
Claims
1. A submerged electric propeller of the raft type, characterized in that, The concealed electric thruster is installed at the tail of the raft carrier, which is composed of multiple tubes arranged side by side in sequence. At least one tube serves as the compartment for installing the concealed electric thruster, and its tail is provided with an opening. The concealed electric propulsion unit is housed within the cabin and includes a housing. Inside the housing are a controller and a motor, and outside the housing is a propeller located near the opening. The motor is located between the controller and the propeller, with its output shaft facing the opening and connected to the propeller. The controller is electrically connected to the motor to control its operation and communicates with a control console located at the raft carrier's operating position via wired or wireless means. The housing is integrally formed with a cover on one side of the propeller. The cover is located outside the propeller, and a water inlet is provided at the bottom of the cover. The pipe body is open at the position corresponding to the water inlet. The tail of the cover serves as the water outlet, and a steering nozzle is provided at the tail of the cover outside the raft carrier. The steering nozzle is driven by a steering mechanism to achieve steering of the raft carrier. The steering mechanism is connected to the controller.
2. The raft-concealed electric propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a drive shaft located inside the housing, one end of which is located inside the housing and connected to the output shaft, and the other end extends out of the housing and is connected to the propeller.
3. The submerged electric propulsor of the raft type according to claim 2, characterized in that, The steering nozzle is rotatably connected to the cover via a pin.
4. The raft-concealed electric propeller according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pins are divided into upper pins and lower pins, which are respectively located on the upper and lower parts of the cover. The upper and lower parts of the steering nozzle are integrally provided with an upper ring and a lower ring, respectively; the upper ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper pin and can rotate around it; the lower ring is sleeved on the outside of the lower pin and can rotate around it.
5. The raft-concealed electric propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller has a cable outlet at the end furthest from the motor. The cable outlet is used to lead out power lines and control lines and connect them to the control console.
6. The raft-concealed electric propeller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller has a cover at the end away from the motor, and the cover is connected to the housing.
7. The submerged electric propulsor of the raft type according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the motor is fixed inside the housing, and its output shaft extends outward through the housing shaft hole, with a sealing ring provided at the connection between the output shaft and the housing.
8. The submerged electric propulsor of the raft type according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the housing is the same as the inner diameter of the tube, and they are connected by screws and sealant.
9. The submerged electric propulsor of the raft type according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipe body is a PVC pipe.