ELECTRIC OUTBOARD MOTOR

Abstract

An electric outboard motor comprising: a drive part; an electrical component; a fan for cooling; an electrical component accommodation space; a fan accommodation space; and a partition wall. The drive part generates a propulsive force. The electrical component includes a control part of the drive part. The electrical component accommodation space accommodates the electrical component therein. The fan accommodation space accommodates the fan therein and has an opening portion through which outside air flows in and out. The partition wall separates the electrical component accommodation space and the fan accommodation space, wherein the electrical component is arranged on a surface on one side of the electrical component accommodation space. The fan is arranged in the fan accommodation space so that the air is blown toward the partition wall.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric outboard motor. background

[0002] In recent years, a power source that uses an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine, has been developed as the power source for an outboard motor.

[0003] As an electric outboard motor of this type, an electric outboard motor is known in which an electric motor as a drive source is arranged on a housing main body portion of an outboard motor housing located on an upper side of a driving part and above the water surface, and a propulsive force of the electric motor is transmitted to the driving part via a drive shaft (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2005-153727)).

[0004] In the electric outboard motor described in Patent Document 1, an electric motor for propulsion, an electrical component including a control part of the electric motor, and the like are housed in the housing main body portion of the outboard motor casing. In one form of the electric outboard motor described in this document, the electrical component or the like, which is prone to high temperatures during propulsion, is cooled by an air-cooled cooling mechanism.

[0005] The cooling mechanism includes an external air intake port provided on a wall of the case main body portion, an external air exhaust port, and a fan for flowing air to the electrical component or the like in the case main body portion. The external air intake port and the external air exhaust port are arranged on a portion of the wall of the case main body portion that is not immersed in the water. In this cooling mechanism, external air sucked in from the external air intake port flows into the case main body portion, and the external air is blown toward the electrical component or the like by the fan. Then, the external air, which has absorbed heat from the electrical component or the like, is discharged to the outside via the external air exhaust port. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In the electric outboard motor described in Patent Document 1, outside air flows into an electrical component accommodation space (inside the casing main body portion) through the outside air intake port and is discharged from the electrical component accommodation space through the outside air exhaust port. However, since the outside air intake port and the outside air exhaust port must allow the interior of the electrical component accommodation space (casing main body portion) to communicate with the outside of the outboard motor, it is difficult to completely prevent external water, such as seawater or rainwater, from entering the electrical component accommodation space. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to adopt a labyrinth structure for the external air intake port and the external air exhaust port.In this case, however, the structure of an opening section (an outside air intake port and an outside air outlet port) for the inflow and outflow of outside air becomes complex, which makes it difficult to manufacture at low cost.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an electric outboard motor capable of reliably cooling an electrical component by air cooling while preventing the intrusion of water from the outside into the vicinity of the electrical component without making the structure of an opening portion for the inflow and outflow of outside air more complex.

[0008] An outboard motor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a driving part that generates a propulsive force; an electrical component that includes a control part of the driving part; a fan for cooling; an electrical component accommodating space that accommodates the electrical component therein; a fan accommodating space that accommodates the fan therein and has an opening portion through which outside air flows in and out; and a partition wall dividing the electrical component accommodating space and the fan accommodating space, on the surface of which, on the electrical component accommodating space side, the electrical component is provided, wherein the fan is arranged in the fan accommodating space so that the blown air is directed toward the partition wall.

[0009] In the electric outboard motor of the above-described embodiment, the electrical component housing space and the fan housing space are divided by the partition wall, and outside air flows into and out of the fan housing space through the opening portion. The outside air flowing into the fan housing space impacts the partition wall as air blown by the fan. As a result, the electrical component mounted on the partition wall is cooled via the partition wall.

[0010] In the present embodiment, the opening portion through which the outside air flows in and out communicates with the fan accommodating space, and the fan accommodating space and the electrical component accommodating space are separated from each other by the partition wall. Therefore, even without using a complex structure such as a labyrinth structure for the opening portion for the outside air inflow and outflow to prevent water ingress, it is possible to prevent water intrusion near the electrical component. Effects of the invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably cool the electrical component by air cooling while preventing the intrusion of water from the outside into the vicinity of the electrical component without making the structure of the opening portion for the inflow and outflow of the outside air more complex. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an outboard motor of a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a main body unit in the outboard motor of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the main body unit of the outboard motor of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main body unit in the outboard motor of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the main body unit with part of the elements omitted in the outboard motor of the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a front view of the main body unit in the outboard motor of the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a main body unit with part of the elements omitted in an outboard motor of a second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a bottom view of a main body unit with part of the elements omitted in an outboard motor of a third embodiment. EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, common parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are partially omitted.

[0013] Further, in the drawings, an arrow FR indicating a forward side in a driving direction of an electric outboard motor 1, an arrow UP indicating a vertically upward direction, and an arrow LH indicating a left direction with respect to the driving direction of the electric outboard motor 1 are shown at appropriate places. <Erste Ausführungsform>

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment.

[0015] The electric outboard motor 1 includes a main body unit 10 as an upper unit, a mounting portion 11 for mounting the main body unit 10 to a vessel hull (not shown), a lower unit 12 housing a main portion of a drive mechanism, and a connecting portion 13 connecting the main body unit 10 to the lower unit 12. The lower unit 12 and the connecting portion 13 may form a single unit.

[0016] The attachment portion 11 is fixed to a transom (not shown) at a rear part of the vessel's hull. A pivot portion (not shown) that pivotally supports the connecting portion 13 for steering and a tilting mechanism portion (not shown) that pivotally supports the connecting portion 13 for tilting up and down are provided on the attachment portion 11. The tilting mechanism portion is a mechanism for selectively switching between a first position of the electric outboard motor 1, in which a thrust of a vessel is directed in a horizontal direction in a vessel stop state, and a second position in which a rear portion of the electric outboard motor 1 tilts up or down further than the first position.

[0017] The reference number 65 in Fig. 1 shows a tilt shaft of the tilt mechanism section.

[0018] The electric outboard motor 1 includes a propeller 14 submerged in the outside water and generating propulsion force, an electric motor 15 that drives the propeller 14, an electrical component 16 that includes a control part (control part of a drive part) of the electric motor 15 or the like, and a power transmission mechanism 17 that transmits power from the electric motor 15 to the propeller 14. In the present embodiment, the propeller 14, the electric motor 15, the power transmission mechanism 17, and the like constitute the drive part in the electric outboard motor 1. The power transmission mechanism 17 includes a drive shaft 18 coaxially connected to an output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15, a speed reduction section (not shown) that reduces the rotational speed of the drive shaft 18 and transmits the rotation to a propeller shaft 19, and the like.The screw 14 and a part of a speed reduction mechanism are provided on the lower unit 12 which is submerged in the outside water at the time of running, and the electric motor 15 and the electrical component 16 are provided on the main body unit 10 which is above the water at the time of running.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main body unit 10 from a front left bottom direction, while Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the main body unit 10. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view in which the main body unit 10 is cut along a widthwise central front-back direction CL. Fig. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the main body unit 10 in which part of the elements (a lower case 20B described later) has been omitted, wherein Fig. 6 is a front view of the main body unit 10.

[0020] The main body unit 10 includes an outboard motor housing 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the outboard motor housing 20 includes a base block 23, an upper housing 20A, a lower housing 20B, and an outer cover 20C.

[0021] The base block 23 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, which is elongated in the front-back direction compared to the width direction. However, the four corners of the base block 23 have a moderately rounded shape in plan view. The base block 23 includes a thick circumferential edge wall 21 arranged in the peripheral region of the base block 23, and a partition wall 22 extending in an inner region of the circumferential edge wall 21. The partition wall 22 is formed such that its thickness in the up-down direction is thinner than that of the circumferential edge wall 21. The base block 23 is made of a metallic material such as an aluminum alloy with good thermal conductivity.

[0022] The upper housing 20A is fixed to the peripheral edge wall 21 so as to cover an upper surface of the partition wall 22. The upper housing 20A is smaller in shape than the base block 23 but has substantially the same shape as the base block 23 in plan view. The upper housing 20A and the partition wall 22 of the base block 23 form a receiving space for electrical components 24. The upper housing 20A is made of a hard resin material. A space between the upper housing 20A and the base block 23 is sealed by an annular sealing member (not shown). This ensures watertightness for the electrical components in the receiving space 24.

[0023] The lower housing 20B is fixed to the peripheral edge wall 21 of the base block 23 so as to cover a bottom surface of the base block 23. The lower housing 20B has a front housing portion 20BF ​​in which an up-and-down width of a lower end of the peripheral edge wall 21 of the base block 23 is narrow, and a rear housing portion 20BR in which an up-and-down width of the lower end of the peripheral edge wall 21 of the base block 23 is wide. The front housing portion 20BF ​​is disposed on a front side of the lower housing 20B in the front-and-back direction, while the rear housing portion 20BR is disposed on a rear side of the lower housing 20B in the front-and-back direction.

[0024] The front housing section 20BF ​​has a right and a left side wall 35s and a front wall 35f which is low from top to bottom compared to the rear housing section 20BR, and a front bottom wall 35b which covers a bottom side of a space surrounded by the right and left side walls 35s and the front wall 35f.

[0025] Furthermore, the rear housing portion 20BR has right and left side walls 36s and a rear wall 36r that is high from top to bottom compared to the front housing portion 20BF, a front wall 36f extending downward from a rear end portion of the front bottom wall 35b of the front housing portion 20BF, and a rear bottom wall 36b covering a bottom side of a space surrounded by the right and left side walls 36s, the rear wall 36r, and the front wall 36f. The rear bottom wall 36b of the rear housing portion 20BR is located at a lower position than the front bottom wall 35b of the front housing portion 20BF. A recess portion 36fc curved in an arc toward the rear side is provided in a widthwise central portion of the front wall 36f of the rear housing portion 20BR.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the right and left side walls 36s, the rear wall 36r, the front wall 36f, and the rear bottom wall 36b of the rear housing portion 20BR form a recessed portion 25 in the lower housing 20B. The recessed portion 25 and the partition wall 22 of the base block 23 form a main part of a fan accommodating space 26.

[0027] The lower case 20B is made of a hard resin material, similar to the upper case 20A. An outer peripheral edge portion on the bottom of the lower case 20B is reinforced with a metallic material such as aluminum alloy. This ensures the rigidity of the lower case 20B when a user places their hand on an edge portion on the lower surface side of the lower case 20B or the like during carrying or the like.

[0028] The partition wall 22 of the base block 23 separates the electrical component accommodation space 24 and the fan accommodation space 26 in the top-bottom direction.

[0029] The outer cover 20C is attached to the peripheral edge wall 21 of the base block 23 to cover the periphery and top of the upper case 20A. The outer cover 20C is made of a metallic material such as aluminum alloy, protects an upper portion of the outboard motor case 20 from the outside, and also serves as a design surface to enhance the appearance.

[0030] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the electric motor 15 is mounted at a position slightly forward than a middle position in the front-rear direction on an upper surface of the partition wall 22 of the base block 23. The electric motor 15 is arranged at a middle position in the width direction of the upper surface of the partition wall 22. In the center of the partition wall 22, at the arrangement position of the electric motor 15, a through hole 27 is formed through which the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 projects downward. The through hole 27 is formed in a projection 28 having a cylindrical shape and projecting toward a lower side of the partition wall 22. The through hole 27 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. The cylindrical connecting portion 13 shown in Fig. 2 is connected to the projection 28.

[0031] Furthermore, as in Fig. 4, on the upper surface of the partition wall 22 of the base block 23, at a position further rearward than a disposing portion of the electric motor 15, an inclined wall portion 33 having an upper surface inclined downward toward the rear is provided. The electrical component 16 is fixed to one surface side of the inclined wall portion 33 on a heat transfer plate 50 (heat transfer material) such as a silicone plate. The electrical component 16 is a component that easily generates heat and includes at least a control part (a drive circuit) such as the electric motor 15. The heat generated by the electrical component 16 is transferred to the inclined wall portion 33 of the partition wall 22 via the heat transfer plate 50.

[0032] A plurality of rib portions 22a are provided so as to protrude from a lower surface of the inclined wall portion 33 so as to face the interior of the fan accommodating space 26. Each rib portion 22a is formed integrally with the inclined wall portion 33 (the partition wall 22). In the present embodiment, the rib portion 22a is composed of a plate-like member extending along the front-backward direction and the up-down direction. The rib portions 22a extend along the front-backward direction and are arranged at substantially constant intervals in the width direction. Further, the front ends of the plurality of rib portions 22a extend to the mounting portion of the electric motor 15.The front ends of the plurality of rib portions 22a are arranged such that the front end positions are offset along an outer peripheral portion in an arc shape corresponding to a circular shape of the electric motor 15.

[0033] As in Fig. 4, the electrical component 16 is provided on the sloped wall portion 33 of the partition wall 22 such that at least a part of the electrical component 16 faces the rib portion 22a to interrupt the partition wall 22. In the present embodiment, a part of a rear portion of the electrical component 16 is offset rearward relative to the rib portion 22a, and the remainder of the rear portion of the electrical component 16 is disposed at an upper position of the rib portion 22a.

[0034] In the fan accommodation space 26 formed between the partition wall 22 and the lower case 20B, a fan 30 is provided, which blows air toward the partition wall 22. The fan 30 is fixed to a bottom surface of the partition wall 22 via a metal bracket 55. The fan 30 is supported by the bracket 55 so as to be spaced upward by a predetermined distance relative to a bottom surface 36bs of the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B. The fan 30 is arranged at a position where a part of the fan 30 overlaps the rear portions of the plurality of rib portions 22a of the partition wall 22 in the front-rear direction.

[0035] Furthermore, the fan 30 is inclined so that a blowing direction of the air points toward the front upper rib portion 22a and that a blowing axis of the air c1 (see Fig. 4) is directed forward and upward. In other words, the blower 30 is arranged so that the air blowing axis c1 is inclined to face a side (front side) of the electrical component 16 and the electric motor 15 with respect to the vertical direction. Accordingly, the blower 30 is arranged so that the air blowing direction faces a side where the electrical component 16 and the electric motor 15 are arranged transversely to the partition wall 22. The rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B, which is located below the blower 30, is inclined in a forward and downward direction so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom side of the blower 30.

[0036] In the present embodiment, since a plurality of rib portions 22a are provided on the lower surface of the slope wall portion 33 so as to extend in the front-backward direction and in the up-down direction, the air of the blower 30 flows along the rib portion 22a also toward the arrangement portion of the electric motor 15.

[0037] A first opening section 41 and a second opening section 42 are provided on the lower housing 20B, which allow outside air to flow into the fan receiving space 26 and to be discharged therefrom again.

[0038] The first opening portion 41 is located in a region through which the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 on a side further forward than the recess portion 25 of the lower case 20B and the substantially cylindrical connecting portion 13 are inserted. Specifically, a through-hole 38 having a substantially circular shape and a large diameter is formed at a position extending from the front-side bottom wall 35b of the front case portion 20BF ​​of the lower case 20B to a part of the front wall 36f (curved recess portion 36fc) of the rear case portion 20BR, and the output shaft 15a and the connecting portion 13 are inserted through a central portion of the through-hole 38. A part of the through-hole 38 is formed to straddle the curved recess portion 36fc of the front wall 36f.The first opening portion 41 consists of a substantially annular gap between the through hole 38 and the connecting portion 13. Therefore, the first opening portion 41 also serves as a shaft insertion portion through which the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 is inserted. Although the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 is inserted through the first opening portion 41, which also serves as a shaft insertion portion in the present embodiment, however, when the projection length of the output shaft 15 of the electric motor 15 is short, the drive shaft 18 or a connecting shaft connecting the output shaft 15a to the drive shaft 18 may be inserted through the first opening portion 41, which also serves as a shaft insertion portion.That is, the shaft inserted through the shaft insertion portion (first opening portion 41) is not limited to the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15, but may be the drive shaft 18, the connecting shaft, or the like, as long as the shaft is a shaft on the output side of the electric motor 15.

[0039] Furthermore, the first annular opening portion 41 is arranged in a region (frontal region) that is closer to the fastening portion 11 than at least a part of the electric motor 15 and the electrical component 16.

[0040] The second opening portion 42 is formed on the rear bottom wall 36b of the recess portion 25 of the lower case 20B. More specifically, the second opening portion 42 is arranged in a region of the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B at a position further rearward than a middle position in the front-back direction of the electrical component 16. In the present embodiment, a part of the front end side of the second opening portion 42 is arranged at a position overlapping a rear end portion of the electrical component 16 in the front-back direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the second opening portion 42 consists of a plurality of slits provided along the front-back direction in a substantially rectangular area of ​​the rear bottom wall 36b.

[0041] The second opening portion 42 consisting of a plurality of slots is arranged in a region (rear region) that is further away from the fastening portion 11 than at least a part of the electric motor 15 and the electrical component 16.

[0042] Furthermore, two drain holes 60 are formed in the rear bottom wall 36b forming part of the recessed portion 25 of the lower case 20B. The drain holes 60 are formed at the right and left front corners of the rear bottom wall 36b of the recessed portion 25, respectively. Specifically, the pair of drain holes 60 are provided at a front end side of the recessed portion 25 and at outer end positions on both sides in the width direction above a steering shaft (drive shaft 18).

[0043] The rear bottom wall 36b of the lower housing 20B includes a downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc inclined from the rear end side toward the front side, and a horizontal portion 20Bbd extending horizontally forward from a front end of the downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc. A pair of drain holes 60 are provided on the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower housing 20B at right and left end positions on the front end side of the horizontal portion 20Bbd. That is, the pair of drain holes 60 are arranged on the rear bottom wall 36b at right and left end positions of a region that becomes the lowermost end when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position.

[0044] As described above, the first position of the electric outboard motor 1 is a position where the thrust of the vessel is directed horizontally when the vessel is stopped. When the position of the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position, the drive shaft 18 points vertically downward. The horizontal portion 20Bbd becomes horizontal in this state.

[0045] Although the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B of the present embodiment has a shape consisting of the downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc and the horizontal portion 20Bbd, the shape of the rear bottom wall 36b is not limited to this shape. For example, the rear bottom wall 36b may have a shape including a curved portion or the like. Regardless of the shape of the rear bottom wall 36b, it is desirable that the rear bottom wall 36b be provided in a region where its inner surface is at the lowest position when the position of the electric outboard motor 1 is the first position.

[0046] As described above, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the electrical component accommodation space 24 and the fan accommodation space 26 of the main body unit 10 are partitioned by the partition wall 22, and outside air flows into the fan accommodation space 26 and exits through the opening portions (the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42). At this time, the outside air flowing into the fan accommodation space 26 impacts the lower surface of the partition wall 22 through the air blown by the fan 30, thereby cooling the electrical component 16 provided on the surface side of the partition wall 22 via the partition wall 22.

[0047] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the opening portion (the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42) through which the outside air flows in and out communicates with the fan accommodating space 26, and the fan accommodating space 26 and the electrical component accommodating space 24 are separated by the partition wall 22. Therefore, even if a complex structure such as a labyrinth structure is not used for the opening portion (the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42) through which the outside air flows in and out, for preventing water intrusion, it is possible to prevent water from entering the vicinity of the electrical component 16 from the outside.

[0048] Accordingly, when using the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably cool the electric component 16 by air cooling while preventing the intrusion of water from the outside into the vicinity of the electric component 16 without making the structure of the opening portion for the inflow and outflow of the outside air more complex.

[0049] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the rib portion 22a protruding toward the fan accommodating space 26 side for cooling is provided on the partition wall 22. Therefore, the rib portion 22a for cooling increases a surface area of ​​a portion of the partition wall 22 facing the fan accommodating space 26 side, whereby the partition wall 22 is efficiently cooled by the outside air flowing into the fan accommodating space 26. Accordingly, using the present embodiment, it is possible to further efficiently cool the electrical component 16.

[0050] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, at least a part of the electrical component 16 is disposed at a position opposite to the cooling fin portion 22a via the partition wall 22. Therefore, the electrical component 16 is disposed so that at least a part of the electrical component 16 overlaps a portion of the partition wall 22 efficiently cooled by the cooling fin portion 22a. Accordingly, by employing the present embodiment, it becomes possible to further efficiently cool the electrical component 16.

[0051] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the fan 30 is provided so that the air blowing direction points toward the fin portion 22a to be cooled. Therefore, the cooling air blown by the fan 30 inevitably hits the fin portion 22a, which is arranged to overlap at least a part of the electrical component 16. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it becomes possible to further efficiently cool the electrical component 16.

[0052] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the electric motor 15 provided for propulsion is mounted in the electrical component accommodation space 24 on the upper side of the partition wall 22. This makes it possible to reliably cool the electric motor 15, which may generate heat during operation, via the partition wall 22, similar to the electrical component 16.

[0053] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the first opening portion 41 for inflowing and outflowing the outside air is arranged in a region closer to the fixing portion 11 than at least a part of the electric motor 15 and the electrical component 16, and the second opening portion 42 for inflowing and outflowing the outside air is arranged in a region farther from the fixing portion 11 than at least a part of the electric motor 15 and the electrical component 16. Therefore, the outside air flows into the fan accommodating space 26 via one of the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42, flows through the fan accommodating space 26, and flows out via the other of the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42.At this time, at least a part of the electric motor 15 and the electric component 16 are arranged to face the flow path between the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42 on the other side of the partition wall 22. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the electric component 16 and the electric motor 15 are efficiently cooled by the outside air flowing through the above-described flow path, thereby further improving the cooling of the electric component 16 and the electric motor 15.

[0054] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the first opening portion 41 is configured to serve as a shaft insertion portion through which the shaft on the output side of the electric motor 15 is inserted. In this case, a relatively large opening portion can be easily provided for the inflow and outflow of outside air on the underside of the fan accommodating space 26, making it possible to further improve the cooling of the electrical component 16 and the electric motor 15.

[0055] In the present embodiment, since the first opening portion 41 located on the front side in the traveling direction of the ship is formed to span a part of the front wall 36f of the recess portion of the lower casing 20B, the traveling wind also easily flows into the fan accommodating space 26 through the first opening portion 41. Accordingly, it is also possible to improve the cooling of the electrical component 16 and the electric motor 15.

[0056] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the fan 30 is arranged such that the fan axis c1 is inclined to face the electric motor 15 side with respect to the vertical direction. In this case, since the air blown by the fan 30 is directed toward the electric motor 15 toward the partition wall 22, it becomes possible to efficiently cool the electric motor 15, which generates heat during cruising.

[0057] In particular, in the present embodiment, since the slope wall portion 33 inclined upward from the blower 30 toward the arrangement position of the electric motor 15 is provided on the partition wall 22, it is possible to efficiently cool the electric motor 15 by the outside air blown by the blower 30. That is, not only the lower surface of the electric motor 15 but also the surroundings of the lower area around the electric motor 15 can be cooled by the air blown by the blower 30.

[0058] In the present embodiment, since the plurality of fin portions 22a projecting from the bottom side of the inclined wall portion 33 also function as a guide portion that guides the air blown toward the electric motor 15, it is possible to further improve the cooling efficiency of the electric motor 15.

[0059] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the drain hole 60 is provided on the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower housing 20B, which, together with the partition wall 22, forms the fan accommodating space 26. Therefore, even if the outside water enters the fan accommodating space 26 through the first opening portion 41 or the second opening portion 42, it can be discharged to the outside through the drain hole 60 provided on the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower housing 20B.

[0060] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the drain hole 60 is provided on a first side and a second side across the center CL (a position where the drive shaft 18 is arranged) in the width direction of the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20b. Therefore, for example, even if a tipping up or a tipping down occurs while the outboard motor is being controlled, the outside water can be reliably discharged to the outside from the drain hole 60 on each of the first side and the second side in the width direction of the rear bottom wall 36b.

[0061] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the drain hole 60 is provided at a front end side of the recessed portion 25 formed in a bottom surface of the lower casing 20B, and at an outer end position on both sides in the width direction. Therefore, when the tilting operation is performed while controlling the outboard motor, it is possible to further reliably drain the outside water in the fan accommodating space 26.

[0062] In the present embodiment, when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position and is not tilted upward or downward, the rear bottom wall 36b (downward slope portion 20Bbc) of the recess portion 25 is formed to slope toward the front. Therefore, even when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position, the outside water in the fan accommodating space 26 can be advantageously discharged to the outside through the right and left drain holes 60.

[0063] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the fan 30 is fixed to the partition wall 22 via the bracket 55 so as to be spaced apart from the bottom surface 20Bbs of the fan accommodating space 26. Therefore, even if the outside water enters the fan accommodating space 26, it is difficult for the outside water to penetrate into the inside of the fan 30. Accordingly, using the present embodiment, it becomes possible to stably maintain the performance of the fan 30 at a high level.

[0064] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of the present embodiment, the electrical component 16 is fixed to the partition wall 22 via the heat transfer plate 50 made of heat transfer material. Therefore, the heat transfer between the electrical component 16 and the partition wall 22 can be advantageously maintained constant by the heat transfer plate 50. Accordingly, when the present embodiment is used, the heat generated by the electrical component 16 is dissipated through the partition wall 22 into the fan accommodating space 26, thereby making it possible to efficiently cool the electrical component 16. <Zweite Ausführungsform>

[0065] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a main body unit 110 with a part of the components (lower cover) omitted in an electric outboard motor 101 of the present embodiment.

[0066] The basic configuration of the electric outboard motor 101 of the present embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the electric outboard motor 101 of the present embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the heat exchanger block 70 is mounted on the lower portion of the electric component, and a portion of the heat exchanger block 70 extends through a portion of the partition wall 22 of a base block 123.

[0067] As in Fig. 7, a rectangular through-hole 69 is formed in the partition wall 22 of the base block 123. A plurality of cooling fins 70a are provided so as to protrude from the heat exchanger block 70 attached to the electrical component. Each cooling fin 70a of the heat exchanger block 70 is formed in a plate shape so as to extend in the front-backward and up-down directions. The plurality of cooling fins 70a of the heat exchanger block 70 protrude into a fan accommodating space through the through-hole 69 at a lower side. A space between the through-hole 69 and the heat exchanger block 70 is sealed with a sealing material (not shown). This reliably separates the electrical component accommodating space 24 on the upper side of the partition wall 22 from the fan accommodating space 26 on the lower side of the partition wall 22.Accordingly, it can be prevented that outside water from the fan receiving space 26 enters the receiving space for electrical components 24 through the gap between the through hole 65 and the heat exchanger block 70.

[0068] In the present embodiment, an embodiment is used in which the electrical component is cooled by the outside air via the cooling fin 70a (heat exchanger block 70) projecting into the fan accommodating space.

[0069] Furthermore, the fan 30 is arranged in the fan accommodation space similarly to the first embodiment. The fan 30 is arranged to be tilted forward and upward, so that a blowing direction of the air points toward the cooling fin 70a and the electrical component located on the upper side of the cooling fin 70a.

[0070] Since the basic configuration of the electric outboard motor 101 of the present embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, similar basic effects to those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0071] However, in the electric outboard motor 101 of the present embodiment, since the cooling fin 70a extending from the partition wall 22 into the fan accommodating space is provided on the heat exchanger block 70 to which the electrical component is mounted, the electrical component in the electrical component accommodating space can be effectively cooled by the outside air in the fan accommodating space. Accordingly, it is possible to further improve the cooling of the electrical component by using the present embodiment.

[0072] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 101 of the present embodiment, the fan 30 is provided so that the air blowing direction points toward the cooling fin 70a. Therefore, the air generated by the fan 30 inevitably hits the cooling fin 70a of the heat exchanger block 70. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it becomes possible to cool the electrical component even more efficiently. <Dritte Ausführungsform>

[0073] Fig. 8 is a bottom view of a main body unit 210 with part of the components (lower cover) of an electric outboard motor 201 of the present embodiment omitted.

[0074] The basic configuration of the electric outboard motor 201 of the present embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the electric outboard motor 201 of the present embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a unidirectional electrical component 16 is arranged along the width direction of a main body unit 210, and a pair of fans 30A are arranged to be aligned below the partition wall 22 in the width direction of the main body unit 210. Also in the present embodiment, the pair of fans 30A are fixed to the partition wall 22 via the bracket 55.

[0075] Since the basic configuration of the electric outboard motor 201 of the present embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, similar basic effects to those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0076] However, in the electric outboard motor 201 of the present embodiment, since the laterally extending electrical component 16 is arranged along the width direction of the main body unit 210 and the pair of fans 30A are arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the electrical component 16, it is possible to sufficiently shorten the length of the main unit 210 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, since the pair of fans 30A are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the electrical component 16, it is possible to further improve the cooling of the electrical component 16.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first opening portion 41 and the second opening portion 42 are provided as opening portions for the inflow and outflow of outside air in the lower casing 20B forming the fan accommodating space 26. However, the number of opening portions is not limited to two, but may be one, three, or more.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the first opening portion 41 is formed to overlap a part of the electric motor 15 in the front-back direction; however, the first opening portion 41 may be arranged on a side further forward than the electric motor 15 so as not to overlap the electric motor 15 in the front-back direction. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the second opening portion 42 is formed to overlap a part of the electrical component 16 in the front-back direction; however, the second opening portion 42 may be arranged on a side further rearward than the electrical component 16 so as not to overlap the electrical component 16 in the front-back direction. List of reference symbols 1, 101, 201 electric outboard motor 11 Fastening section 14 Screw (drive part) 15 Electric motor (drive part) 15a Output shaft 16 electrical component 17 Power transmission mechanism (drive part) 20B lower housing 22 Partition wall 22a Rib section 24 Storage space for electrical components 25 Recess section 26 Blower accommodation space 30, 30A fan 36b rear floor wall (floor wall) 36bs floor area 41 first opening section (opening section) 42 second opening section (opening section) 50 heat transfer plate (heat transfer material) 55 bracket 60 Drain hole 70 heat exchanger block 70a cooling fin QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2005-153727

[0003]

Claims

[1] An electric outboard motor comprising: a drive part that generates a propulsive force; an electrical component containing a control part of the drive part; a fan for cooling; an electrical component receiving space in which the electrical component is accommodated; a fan accommodating chamber in which the fan is accommodated and which has an opening portion through which outside air flows in and out; and a partition wall separating the electrical component accommodation space and the fan accommodation space, and on which the electrical component is provided on the electrical component accommodation space side, wherein the fan is arranged in the fan receiving space so that the blowing direction of the air is directed towards the partition wall. [2] The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein a fin portion for cooling is provided on the partition wall and protrudes toward the side of the fan accommodating space. [3] The electric outboard motor according to claim 2, wherein at least a part of the electrical component is arranged at a position facing the rib portion across the partition wall. [4] The electric outboard motor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the blower is provided so that a blowing direction of the air is directed toward the fin portion. [5] The electric outboard motor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical component is provided on the partition wall above a heat exchanger block with a cooling fin, and the heat exchanger block is attached to the partition wall in such a way that the cooling fin protrudes from the partition wall into the fan receiving space. [6] The electric outboard motor according to claim 5, wherein the blower is provided such that a blowing direction of the air is directed toward the cooling fin. [7] The electric outboard motor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive part comprises an electric motor, and the electric motor is arranged in the receiving space for electrical components and is provided on the partition wall. [8] The electric outboard motor according to claim 7, comprising: a mounting section for attaching the electric outboard motor to a vessel hull, wherein the opening comprises a first opening portion and a second opening portion which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the fan accommodating space, and one of the first opening portion and the second opening portion is arranged in a region closer to the fixing portion than at least a part of the electric motor and the electric component, and another of the first opening portion and the second opening portion is arranged in a region farther from the fixing portion than at least a part of the electric motor and the electric component. [9] The electric outboard motor according to claim 7, wherein the opening portion comprises a first opening portion and a second opening portion which are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the fan accommodating space, and either the first opening portion or the second opening portion serves as a shaft insertion portion through which an output-side shaft of the electric motor is inserted. [10] The electric outboard motor according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the blower is arranged so that a blowing axis of the air is inclined to face a side of the electric motor with respect to a vertical direction. [11] The electric outboard motor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan accommodating space is formed so as to be surrounded by the partition wall and a lower housing covering a bottom side of the partition wall, and a drainage hole is formed on a bottom wall of the lower housing. [12] The electric outboard motor according to claim 11, wherein the drain hole is provided on each of a first side and a second side of a widthwise center of the bottom wall. [13] The electric outboard motor according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the lower housing has a recess portion recessed in a concave shape on a lower side and in which the fan is arranged, and the drain hole is provided at a front end side of the recessed portion and at an outer end position of both sides in the width direction. [14] The electric outboard motor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan is mounted on the partition wall via a bracket so as to be spaced from a bottom surface of the fan accommodating space. [15] The electric outboard motor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical component is mounted on a heat transfer material on the partition wall.

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