Outboard engine and boat

Abstract

To improve cooling efficiency of each device forming an outboard engine.SOLUTION: An outboard engine includes a drive source, a motor controller, one or multiple coolant tubes, a pump, and an air vent. The drive source includes an electric motor. The motor controller is disposed higher than the electric motor and controls the electric motor. The coolant tube forms at least a portion of a coolant flow path through which a coolant that cools the electric motor and the motor controller circulates. The pump is connected to the coolant tube to pump the coolant. The air vent is located at the uppermost portion of the coolant flow path. The coolant flow path is configured so that the coolant pumped by the pump flows in an order of the motor controller, the air vent, and the electric motor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an outboard motor and a watercraft. [Background technology]

[0002] The boat includes a hull and an outboard motor attached to the rear of the hull. The outboard motor is a device that generates thrust to propel the boat.

[0003] Conventionally, an outboard motor has been disclosed that includes an electric motor as a drive source, an inverter that controls the drive of the electric motor, a cooling water pipe that forms at least a part of a cooling water passage through which cooling water circulates to cool the electric motor and the inverter, and a pump that is connected to the cooling water pipe and circulates the cooling water (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-34677 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art In an outboard motor that includes an electric motor as a drive source, there is a demand for improving the cooling efficiency of each device that constitutes the outboard motor in order to improve the durability of the outboard motor.

[0006] This specification discloses a technique that can solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized, for example, in the following forms.

[0008] (1) The outboard motor disclosed in this specification includes a drive source, a motor control device, one or more refrigerant pipes, a pump, and an air bleeder. The drive source includes an electric motor. The motor control device is disposed above the electric motor and controls the electric motor. The refrigerant pipe forms at least a part of a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant that cools the electric motor and the motor control device circulates. The pump is connected to the refrigerant pipe and pumps the refrigerant. The air bleeder is located at the top of the refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flow path is configured such that the refrigerant pumped from the pump flows in the following order: the motor control device, the air bleeder, and the electric motor.

[0009] With this outboard motor, if air gets into the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is being filled into the refrigerant flow path, and the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, the air passes through the motor control device and reaches the air vent located at the top of the refrigerant flow path. This makes it less likely for air to accumulate near the motor control device, which is one of the devices that make up the outboard motor and is prone to becoming hotter, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor.

[0010] (2) In the above outboard motor, the pump may be arranged below the motor control device. With this arrangement, for example, if air enters the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is being filled into the refrigerant flow path, the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, and passes through the motor control device, which is located higher than the pump, before reaching the air vent located at the top of the refrigerant flow path. This makes it difficult for air to accumulate in the area from the pump to the air vent, thereby more effectively improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor.

[0011] (3) The above outboard motor may further include a control case that houses the motor control device, the refrigerant flow path includes a space formed inside the control case, the plurality of refrigerant pipes include a first refrigerant pipe that is connected to the control case and that constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path that runs from the control case to the air vent, and a lower end of the first refrigerant pipe is connected to the control case. With this configuration, for example, if air enters the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path, and the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, the air passes through the control case and flows into the first refrigerant pipe, and flows from the lower end of the first refrigerant pipe, which is the connection position with the control case, toward the air vent. This makes it less likely for air to stagnate in the area from the pump to the air vent, thereby more effectively improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor.

[0012] (4) The above outboard motor may further include a filler that is an inlet for the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path and is located above the electric motor, and the refrigerant flow path may be configured so that the refrigerant pumped from the pump flows through the motor control device, the air bleeder, the electric motor, and the filler in that order. With this configuration, for example, if air enters the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path, and the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, the air passes through the electric motor and reaches the filler located above the electric motor. This makes it less likely for air to remain near the electric motor, which is one of the devices that make up the outboard motor and is prone to becoming relatively hot, and therefore makes it possible to more effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor.

[0013] (5) The above outboard motor may further include a motor cooling device arranged to surround an outer periphery of the electric motor, the refrigerant flow path including a space formed inside the motor cooling device, the plurality of refrigerant pipes including a second refrigerant pipe connected to the motor cooling device and constituting a portion of the refrigerant flow path extending from the motor cooling device to the filler, and a lower end of the second refrigerant pipe is connected to the motor cooling device. According to this configuration, for example, if air enters the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is filled into the refrigerant flow path, when the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, the air passes through the motor cooling device and flows into the second refrigerant pipe, and flows from the lower end of the second refrigerant pipe, which is the connection position with the motor cooling device, toward the filler. This makes it difficult for air to stagnate in the portion from the motor cooling device to the filler, thereby more effectively improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor.

[0014] (6) In the outboard motor described above, the pump discharge port may be formed at approximately the top of the pump. With this configuration, since the pump discharge port is formed at approximately the top of the pump, air is less likely to stagnate inside the pump, and the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor can be more effectively improved.

[0015] (7) Another outboard motor disclosed in this specification includes a drive source, a motor control device, one or more refrigerant pipes, a pump, and an air bleeder. The drive source includes an electric motor. The motor control device controls the electric motor. The refrigerant pipe forms at least a part of a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant that cools the electric motor and the motor control device circulates. The pump is connected to the refrigerant pipe and pumps the refrigerant. The air bleeder is located at the top of the refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant flow path is configured such that the refrigerant pumped from the pump flows in the following order: the motor control device, the air bleeder, and the electric motor.

[0016] With this outboard motor, if air gets into the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is being filled into the refrigerant flow path, and the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, the air passes through the motor control device and reaches the air vent located at the top of the refrigerant flow path. This makes it less likely for air to accumulate near the motor control device, which is one of the devices that make up the outboard motor and is prone to becoming hotter, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor.

[0017] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in various forms, for example, in the form of an outboard motor, a boat equipped with an outboard motor and a hull, etc. Effect of the Invention

[0018] With this outboard motor, if air gets into the refrigerant flow path when the refrigerant is being filled into the refrigerant flow path, and the air is pumped together with the refrigerant by the pump, the air passes through the motor control device and reaches the air vent located at the top of the refrigerant flow path. This makes it less likely for air to accumulate near the motor control device, which is one of the devices that make up the outboard motor and is prone to becoming hotter, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a ship 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an outboard motor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic view of a part of the internal configuration of the outboard engine body 110. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a refrigerant flow path 400. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of a pump 410. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A. Embodiment: A-1. Ship 10 configuration: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a ship 10 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1 and other drawings described later, arrows are shown in each direction based on the position of the ship 10. More specifically, in each drawing, arrows are shown representing the front (FRONT), rear (REAR), left (LEFT), right (RIGHT), upper (UPPER), and lower (LOWER). The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are directions perpendicular to each other. In this specification, an axis, member, etc. extending in the front-rear direction does not necessarily have to be parallel to the front-rear direction. An axis or member extending in the front-rear direction includes an axis or member inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the front-rear direction. Similarly, an axis or member extending in the up-down direction includes an axis or member inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the up-down direction, and an axis or member extending in the left-right direction includes an axis or member inclined within a range of ±45° with respect to the left-right direction.

[0021] The boat 10 includes a hull 200 and an outboard motor 100. In this embodiment, the boat 10 includes one outboard motor 100, but the boat 10 may include a plurality of outboard motors 100.

[0022] (Configuration of hull 200) The hull 200 is a portion of the vessel 10 on which crew members board. The hull 200 has a hull main body 202 having a living space 204, a cockpit 240 installed in the living space 204, and a steering device 250 installed near the cockpit 240. The steering device 250 is a device for maneuvering the vessel, and has, for example, a steering wheel 252, a shift / throttle lever 254, a joystick 255, a monitor 256, and an input device 258. The hull 200 also has a partition wall 220 that defines the rear end of the living space 204, and a transom 210 located at the rear end of the hull 200. A space 206 exists between the transom 210 and the partition wall 220 in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0023] (Configuration of outboard motor 100) 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the outboard motor 100 according to this embodiment. The following describes the outboard motor 100 in the reference position, unless otherwise specified. The reference position is a position in which the rotation axis Ac of the output shaft 123 (described later) extends in the vertical direction, and the rotation axis Ap of the propeller shaft 135 (described later) extends in the front-rear direction. The front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are each determined based on the outboard motor 100 in the reference position.

[0024] The outboard motor 100 is a device that generates thrust to propel the boat 10. The outboard motor 100 is attached to a transom 210 at the rear of a hull 200. The outboard motor 100 has an outboard motor body 110 and a suspension device 150.

[0025] (Configuration of the outboard engine body 110) The outboard engine body 110 has a waterproof case 112 , a middle case 116 , a lower case 118 , a motor assembly 120 , a control assembly 500 , a transmission mechanism 130 , a propeller 111 , and a steering mechanism 140 .

[0026] The waterproof case 112 is a container arranged on the upper part of the outboard motor main body 110. The waterproof case 112 houses an electric motor 122, electrical components, etc., which will be described later, and protects the electric motor 122, the electrical components, etc. from exposure to seawater. The waterproof case 112 has an upper cover 113 that forms the upper part of the waterproof case 112, and a lower box 114 that forms the lower part of the waterproof case 112. The lower box 114 has a box-like shape with an open top. The upper cover 113 is removably attached to the lower box 114 so as to cover the upper part of the lower box 114.

[0027] The middle case 116 is a housing located below the waterproof case 112 and disposed near the center in the up-down direction of the outboard motor main body 110. The upper part of the middle case 116 is connected to the lower box 114 of the waterproof case 112.

[0028] The lower case 118 is located below the middle case 116 and is a housing disposed at the bottom of the outboard motor main body 110.

[0029] The motor assembly 120 is housed inside the waterproof case 112. The motor assembly 120 includes an electric motor 122 as a drive source. The electric motor 122 is a prime mover that generates power. The electric motor 122 has an output shaft 123 that outputs the drive force generated by the electric motor 122. The output shaft 123 is disposed in a position in which its rotation axis Ac extends in the vertical direction.

[0030] The control assembly 500 is housed inside the waterproof case 112 and is disposed above the motor assembly 120. The control assembly 500 controls the rotation of the electric motor 122. A detailed configuration of the control assembly 500 will be described later.

[0031] The transmission mechanism 130 is a mechanism that transmits the driving force of the electric motor 122 to the propeller 111. The transmission mechanism 130 has a primary reduction gear 300, a drive shaft 133, and a propeller shaft 135.

[0032] The primary reduction gear 300 is housed inside the waterproof case 112 and disposed below the motor assembly 120. The primary reduction gear 300 is coupled to the output shaft 123 of the electric motor 122 and the drive shaft 133. The primary reduction gear 300 reduces the driving force of the electric motor 122 and transmits it to the drive shaft 133. This makes it possible to rotate the propeller 111 with a desired torque.

[0033] The drive shaft 133 is a rod-shaped member that transmits power to the propeller shaft 135, and is disposed in a position extending in the vertical direction. The drive shaft 133 is housed so as to straddle the interior of the waterproof case 112, the interior of the middle case 116, and the interior of the lower case 118.

[0034] The propeller shaft 135 is a rod-shaped member and is disposed relatively below the outboard motor body 110 in a position extending in the fore-and-aft direction. The propeller shaft 135 rotates together with the propeller 111. A front end of the propeller shaft 135 is housed in the lower case 118, and a rear end of the propeller shaft 135 protrudes rearward from the lower case 118.

[0035] A gear is provided on each of the lower end of the drive shaft 133 and the front end of the propeller shaft 135. The gear of the drive shaft 133 and the gear of the propeller shaft 135 mesh with each other, whereby the rotation of the drive shaft 133 is transmitted to the propeller shaft 135.

[0036] The propeller 111 is a rotating body having a plurality of blades, and is attached to the rear end of the propeller shaft 135. The propeller 111 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the propeller shaft 135 about the rotation axis Ap. The propeller 111 generates thrust for propelling the vessel 10 by rotating.

[0037] The steering mechanism 140 is a mechanism for controlling the change of the traveling direction of the boat 10. The steering mechanism 140 has a steering shaft 141. The steering shaft 141 is a hollow tubular member arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the drive shaft 133. At least a part of the steering shaft 141 is housed in the middle case 116 and supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis As. A lower part of the steering shaft 141 protrudes downward from the middle case 116 and is connected to the lower case 118. The steering shaft 141 rotates about the rotation axis As by the driving force of a drive motor (not shown) housed in the middle case 116, for example. When the steering shaft 141 rotates, the lower case 118 connected to the steering shaft 141 also rotates, and the direction of the propeller 111 is changed. As a result, the direction of the thrust generated by the propeller 111 is changed, and the boat 10 is steered.

[0038] (Configuration of Suspension Device 150) The suspension device 150 is a device that suspends the outboard motor body 110 to the hull 200. The suspension device 150 has a pair of left and right clamp brackets 152, a tilt shaft 154, and a swivel bracket 156.

[0039] The pair of left and right clamp brackets 152 are disposed at the rear of the hull 200, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and are fixed to the transom 210 of the hull 200, for example, by bolts.

[0040] The tilt shaft 154 is a rod-shaped member, and is rotatably supported by the clamp bracket 152. A tilt axis At, which is the center line of the tilt shaft 154, constitutes an axis in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) during tilt operation of the outboard motor 100.

[0041] The swivel bracket 156 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between a pair of clamp brackets 152, and is supported by the clamp brackets 152 via a tilt shaft 154 so as to be rotatable about the tilt axis At. The swivel bracket 156 is driven to rotate about the tilt axis At relative to the clamp brackets 152 by a tilt device (not shown) including an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0042] When the swivel bracket 156 rotates about the tilt axis At relative to the clamp bracket 152, the outboard motor body 110 supported by the swivel bracket 156 also rotates about the tilt axis At. This achieves a tilt operation that rotates the outboard motor body 110 up and down relative to the hull 200. The tilt operation of the outboard motor 100 makes it possible to change the angle of the outboard motor body 110 about the tilt axis At within a range from a tilt down state in which the propeller 111 is located underwater (a state in which the outboard motor 100 is in a reference position) to a tilt up state in which the propeller 111 is located above the water surface. Note that a trim operation can also be performed to adjust the attitude of the boat 10 while traveling by adjusting the angle of the outboard motor body 110 about the tilt axis At.

[0043] A-2. Internal structure of the outboard engine body 110: Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic view of a part of the internal configuration of the outboard motor main body 110. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic view of the configuration of a refrigerant flow path 400. Figs. 3 and 4 show the internal structure housed inside the waterproof case 112. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the outboard motor 100 is formed with a refrigerant flow path 400 that is a series of flow paths through which coolant liquid C circulates.

[0044] The coolant C circulates inside the outboard motor body 110 to cool the electric motor 122 and the MCU 510 (described later). The coolant C is an antifreeze liquid containing, for example, ethylene glycol or propylene glycol as a main component. The coolant C is an example of a refrigerant.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the control assembly 500 has a control case 502, an MCU (Motor Control Unit) 510, and a power supply line 520 (see FIG. 2). The MCU 510 is a circuit board that controls the rotation of the electric motor 122, etc. The control case 502 houses the MCU 510. Inside the control case 502, a space 512 that is a flow path through which the coolant liquid C flows is formed. In other words, the refrigerant flow path 400 includes the space 512 formed inside the control case 502. The power supply line 520 supplies power to the MCU 510 from a battery or the like (not shown) arranged in the hull 200. The MCU 510 is an example of a motor control device.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the outboard motor 100 further includes a motor cooling device 126, an air bleeder 420, a filler 450, a heat exchanger 440, a pump 410, and a plurality of refrigerant pipes 430a to 430f.

[0047] The motor cooling device 126 has an annular configuration when viewed in the up-down direction, and is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the electric motor 122. A space that is a flow path through which the coolant liquid C flows is formed inside the motor cooling device 126. In other words, the refrigerant flow path 400 includes the space formed inside the motor cooling device 126.

[0048] The air vent 420 has an opening for releasing air mixed in the refrigerant flow path 400 to the atmosphere. The air vent 420 expels air from the refrigerant flow path 400, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the electric motor 122 and the MCU 510. The air vent 420 is located at the top of the refrigerant flow path 400.

[0049] The filler 450 has an opening that functions as a spout for the coolant liquid C in the refrigerant flow path 400. The opening of the filler 450 also has a function of releasing air mixed in the refrigerant flow path 400 to the atmosphere. The filler 450 is located relatively high in the refrigerant flow path 400, and more specifically, is located higher than the electric motor 122 and the motor cooling device 126.

[0050] The heat exchanger 440 is a device that exchanges heat between the coolant C and, for example, seawater pumped up from outside the outboard motor 100 by a pump (not shown). The coolant C becomes relatively hot by passing near the electric motor 122 and the MCU 510, but is cooled by exchanging heat with the seawater in the heat exchanger 440.

[0051] The pump 410 is a device that pumps and delivers the coolant liquid C. The pump 410 is connected to a refrigerant pipe 430a (described later) and a refrigerant pipe 430f (described later). The coolant liquid C circulates through the refrigerant flow path 400 by the operation of the pump 410. The pump 410 is located relatively low in the refrigerant flow path 400, and more specifically, is located lower than the MCU 510 and the control case 502.

[0052] The plurality of refrigerant pipes 430a-430f are hollow tubular members extending from one end to the other end, and the space formed inside each of them constitutes at least a part of the refrigerant flow path 400. Each of the refrigerant pipes 430a-430f is configured such that the coolant liquid C flows from one end to the other end when the pump 410 is operated.

[0053] The refrigerant pipe 430a constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that extends from the pump 410 to the control case 502. One end of the refrigerant pipe 430a is connected to the pump 410, thereby communicating with a flow path of the coolant liquid C formed in the pump 410. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 430a is connected to the control case 502, thereby communicating with a space 512 of the control case 502.

[0054] The refrigerant pipe 430b constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that extends from the control case 502 to the air vent 420. One end of the refrigerant pipe 430b is connected to the control case 502, thereby communicating with the space 512 of the control case 502. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 430b is connected to an end portion of one end side of the refrigerant pipe 430c, thereby communicating with the refrigerant pipe 430c. The lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430b (the lowermost part of the refrigerant pipe 430b) is the connection position with the control case 502. The refrigerant pipe 430b is an example of a first refrigerant pipe.

[0055] The refrigerant pipe 430c constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that extends from the air vent 420 to the motor cooling device 126. One end of the refrigerant pipe 430c is connected to the air vent 420. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 430c is connected to the motor cooling device 126, thereby communicating with a space formed inside the motor cooling device 126.

[0056] Refrigerant pipe 430d constitutes a portion of refrigerant flow path 400 extending from motor cooling device 126 to filler 450. One end of refrigerant pipe 430d is connected to motor cooling device 126, thereby communicating with a space formed inside motor cooling device 126. The other end of refrigerant pipe 430d is connected to an end portion on one end side of refrigerant pipe 430e, thereby communicating with refrigerant pipe 430e. The lower end of refrigerant pipe 430d (the lowermost portion of refrigerant pipe 430d) is the connection position with motor cooling device 126. Refrigerant pipe 430d is an example of a second refrigerant pipe.

[0057] The refrigerant pipe 430e constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that extends from the filler 450 to the heat exchanger 440. One end of the refrigerant pipe 430e is connected to the filler 450. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 430e is connected to the heat exchanger 440, and thereby communicates with the flow path of the coolant liquid C formed in the heat exchanger 440.

[0058] The refrigerant pipe 430f constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that extends from the heat exchanger 440 to the pump 410. One end of the refrigerant pipe 430f is connected to the heat exchanger 440, thereby communicating with a flow path of the coolant liquid C formed in the heat exchanger 440. The other end of the refrigerant pipe 430f is connected to the pump 410, thereby communicating with the flow path of the coolant liquid C formed in the pump 410.

[0059] A-3. Details of cooling method for each device using coolant C: The refrigerant flow path 400 is configured such that the coolant C pumped from the pump 410 flows through the MCU 510, the air vent 420, the motor cooling device 126, the filler 450, and the heat exchanger 440 in this order, and then circulates to the pump 410.

[0060] Specifically, first, the coolant C flows out of the pump 410, passes through the refrigerant pipe 430a, and then flows into the space 512. The coolant C that has flowed into the space 512 flows near the MCU 510, thereby cooling the MCU 510.

[0061] Next, coolant C flows out of space 512, passes through refrigerant pipe 430b, and flows into refrigerant pipe 430c, and flows near air vent 420. At this time, if air is mixed into coolant C, the air flows toward air vent 420, which is located above the connection position between refrigerant pipe 430b and refrigerant pipe 430c, and is released into the atmosphere through air vent 420 (arrow A in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0062] Next, the coolant liquid C passes through the refrigerant pipe 430c and flows into a space formed inside the motor cooling device 126. The coolant liquid C that has flowed into the space formed inside the motor cooling device 126 flows near the electric motor 122, thereby cooling the electric motor 122.

[0063] Next, coolant C flows out of a space formed inside motor cooling device 126, passes through refrigerant pipe 430d, flows into refrigerant pipe 430e, and flows near filler 450. At this time, if air is mixed into coolant C, the air flows toward filler 450 located above the connection position between refrigerant pipe 430d and refrigerant pipe 430e, and is released into the atmosphere through filler 450 (arrow A in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0064] Next, the coolant C passes through the refrigerant pipe 430e and flows into the heat exchanger 440. In the heat exchanger 440, heat is exchanged with seawater pumped up from outside the outboard motor 100, and the coolant C is cooled.

[0065] Next, the coolant liquid C flows out of the heat exchanger 440, passes through the refrigerant pipe 430f, and flows into the pump 410. In this manner, the coolant liquid C circulates through the refrigerant flow path 400.

[0066] A-4. Detailed configuration of pump 410: 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of the pump 410. The pump 410 is formed with a water intake port 412 and a discharge port 414. The water intake port 412 is a portion connected to the refrigerant pipe 430f, and is a portion into which the coolant C flows in from the outside of the pump 410. The water intake port 412 is formed near the center of the pump 410 in the up-down direction. The discharge port 414 is a portion connected to the refrigerant pipe 430a, and is a portion from which the coolant C flows out toward the outside of the pump 410. The discharge port 414 is formed at approximately the top of the pump 410.

[0067] A-5. Advantages of this embodiment: As described above, the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment includes a drive source, an MCU 510, a plurality of refrigerant pipes 430a to 430f, a pump 410, and an air vent 420. The drive source includes an electric motor 122. The MCU 510 is disposed above the electric motor 122 and controls the electric motor 122. The refrigerant pipes 430a to 430f form at least a part of a refrigerant flow path 400 through which a coolant liquid C circulates to cool the electric motor 122 and the MCU 510. The pump 410 is connected to the refrigerant pipes 430a and 430f, and pumps and delivers the coolant liquid C. The air vent 420 is located at the top of the refrigerant flow path 400. The refrigerant flow path 400 is configured such that the coolant liquid C pumped from the pump 410 flows through the MCU 510, the air vent 420, and the electric motor 122 in this order.

[0068] According to the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, if air enters the refrigerant flow passage 400 when, for example, the refrigerant flow passage 400 is filled with the coolant liquid C, the air is pumped by the pump 410 together with the coolant liquid C, and passes through the MCU 510 to reach the air vent 420 located at the top of the refrigerant flow passage 400. This makes it difficult for air to remain near the MCU 510, which is one of the devices that constitute the outboard motor 100 and is likely to become hot, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100. In other words, improving the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100 improves the durability of the devices that constitute the outboard motor 100, and ultimately the durability of the outboard motor 100 itself.

[0069] Furthermore, in the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, the pump 410 is disposed below the MCU 510. According to the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, if air enters the refrigerant flow path 400 when, for example, the refrigerant flow path 400 is filled with the coolant liquid C, the air is pressurized by the pump 410 together with the coolant liquid C, and passes through the MCU 510, which is located higher than the pump 410, to reach the air vent 420, which is located at the top of the refrigerant flow path 400. This makes it difficult for air to accumulate in the portion between the pump 410 and the air vent 420, thereby making it possible to more effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100.

[0070] The outboard motor 100 of this embodiment further includes a control case 502 that houses the MCU 510, the refrigerant flow path 400 includes a space 512 formed inside the control case 502, and the multiple refrigerant pipes 430a to 430f include a refrigerant pipe 430b that is connected to the control case 502 and constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that runs from the control case 502 to the air vent 420, and the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430b is a connection position with the control case 502. According to the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, for example, if air enters the refrigerant flow path 400 when the refrigerant liquid C is filled into the refrigerant flow path 400, when the air is pumped together with the coolant liquid C by the pump 410, the air passes through the control case 502 and flows into the refrigerant pipe 430b, and flows from the connection position with the control case 502, which is the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430b, toward the air vent 420. This makes it difficult for air to remain in the area between the pump 410 and the air vent 420, so that the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100 can be improved more effectively.

[0071] The outboard motor 100 of this embodiment further includes a filler 450, which is a pouring port for the coolant C in the refrigerant passage 400 and is located above the electric motor 122. The refrigerant passage 400 is configured so that the coolant C pumped from the pump 410 flows through the MCU 510, the air bleeder 420, the electric motor 122, and the filler 450 in this order. According to the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, if air enters the refrigerant passage 400 when the refrigerant C is filled into the refrigerant passage 400, the air is pumped together with the coolant C by the pump 410, and the air passes through the electric motor 122 and reaches the filler 450 located above the electric motor 122. This makes it difficult for air to remain near the electric motor 122, which is relatively prone to become hot, among the various devices constituting the outboard motor 100, and therefore the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100 can be improved more effectively.

[0072] The outboard motor 100 further includes a motor cooling device 126 arranged to surround the outer periphery of the electric motor 122, the refrigerant flow path 400 includes a space formed inside the motor cooling device 126, and the plurality of refrigerant pipes 430a-430f are connected to the motor cooling device 126 and include a refrigerant pipe 430d that constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path 400 that runs from the motor cooling device 126 to the filler 450, and the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430d is a connection position with the motor cooling device 126. According to the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, for example, if air enters the refrigerant flow path 400 when the refrigerant liquid C is filled into the refrigerant flow path 400, when the air is pumped together with the coolant liquid C by the pump 410, the air passes through the motor cooling device 126 and flows into the refrigerant pipe 430d, and flows from the connection position with the motor cooling device 126, which is the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430d, toward the filler 450. This makes it difficult for air to stagnate in the area from the motor cooling device 126 to the filler 450, making it possible to more effectively improve the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100.

[0073] Furthermore, in the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, the discharge port 414 of the pump 410 is formed at approximately the top of the pump 410. According to the outboard motor 100 of this embodiment, since the discharge port 414 of the pump 410 is formed at approximately the top of the pump 410, air is less likely to stagnate inside the pump 410, and the cooling efficiency of the outboard motor 100 can be more effectively improved.

[0074] B. Variations: The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0075] The configurations of the boat 10 and the outboard motor 100 in the above embodiment are merely examples and can be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, only the electric motor 122 is included as the drive source, but the drive source may include both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine such as an engine.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the MCU 510 is disposed above the electric motor 122, but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and the MCU may be disposed below the electric motor.

[0077] In the above embodiment, a plurality of refrigerant pipes 430a to 430f are provided, but it is not necessary to provide a plurality of refrigerant pipes, and only one refrigerant pipe may be provided.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the pump 410 is disposed below the MCU 510, but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and the pump may be disposed above the MCU.

[0079] In the above embodiment, a space 512 is formed in the control case 502, and the MCU 510 is cooled by the coolant C flowing into the space 512, but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and for example, a refrigerant pipe may be arranged near the MCU, and the MCU may be cooled by the coolant flowing through the refrigerant pipe. Similarly, in the above embodiment, a space is formed inside the motor cooling device 126, and the electric motor 122 is cooled by the coolant C flowing into the space inside the motor cooling device 126, but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and for example, a refrigerant pipe may be arranged near the electric motor, and the electric motor may be cooled by the coolant flowing through the refrigerant pipe.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430b is a connection position with the control case 502, but is not necessarily limited to this. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the lower end of the refrigerant pipe 430d is a connection position with the motor cooling device 126, but is not necessarily limited to this.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the discharge port 414 of the pump 410 is formed at approximately the top, but this is not necessarily limited to this.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the coolant C (antifreeze liquid containing ethylene glycol or propylene glycol as a main component) is exemplified as the refrigerant, but the type of refrigerant is not particularly limited as long as it cools the electric motor and the motor control device.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the MCU 510 is exemplified as the motor control device, but other motor control devices such as an inverter may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10: Boat 100: Outboard motor 110: Outboard motor body 111: Propeller 112: Waterproof case 113: Upper cover 114: Lower box 116: Middle case 118: Lower case 120: Motor assembly 122: Electric motor 123: Output shaft 126: Motor cooling device 130: Transmission mechanism 133: Drive shaft 135: Propeller shaft 140: Steering mechanism 141: Steering shaft 150: Suspension device 152: Clamp bracket 154: Tilt shaft 156: Swivel bracket 200: Hull 202: Hull body 204: Living space 206: Space 210: Transom 220: Partition wall 240: Cockpit 250: Control device 252: Steering wheel 254: Shift / throttle lever 255: Joystick 256: Monitor 258: Input device 300: Primary reducer 400: Refrigerant flow path 410: Pump 412: Inlet 414: Outlet 420: Air bleed 430a-430f: Refrigerant pipe 440: Heat exchanger 450: Filler 500: Control assembly 502: Control case 510: MCU 512: Space 520: Power line Ac: Rotation axis Ap: Rotation axis As: Rotation axis At: Tilt axis C: Coolant liquid

Claims

1. An outboard motor, A drive source including an electric motor; a motor control device that is disposed above the electric motor and controls the electric motor; one or more refrigerant pipes constituting at least a part of a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling the electric motor and the motor control device circulates; a pump connected to the refrigerant pipe for pumping the refrigerant; an air vent located at the top of the refrigerant flow path; Equipped with the coolant flow path is configured so that the coolant pumped from the pump flows through the motor control device, the air bleeder, and the electric motor in that order.

2. 2. An outboard motor according to claim 1, The pump is disposed below the motor control device.

3. 3. The outboard motor according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a control case that houses the motor control device, the refrigerant flow path includes a space formed inside the control case, the plurality of refrigerant pipes include a first refrigerant pipe that is connected to the control case and that constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path that extends from the control case to the air vent, an outboard motor, wherein a lower end of the first refrigerant pipe is connected to the control case;

4. An outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a filler that is a refrigerant pouring port in the refrigerant flow path and is located above the electric motor; the refrigerant flow path is configured so that the refrigerant pumped from the pump flows through the motor control device, the air bleeder, the electric motor, and the filler in this order.

5. 5. An outboard motor according to claim 4, further comprising: a motor cooling device disposed around an outer periphery of the electric motor; the refrigerant flow path includes a space formed inside the motor cooling device, the plurality of refrigerant pipes include a second refrigerant pipe that is connected to the motor cooling device and that constitutes a portion of the refrigerant flow path that runs from the motor cooling device to the filler; an outboard motor, the lower end of the second refrigerant pipe being a connection point with the motor cooling device;

6. An outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The pump discharge port is formed at approximately the top of the pump.

7. The hull and an outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 6 attached to the rear of the hull; A vessel comprising:

8. An outboard motor, A drive source including an electric motor; A motor control device that controls the electric motor; one or more refrigerant pipes constituting at least a part of a refrigerant flow path through which a refrigerant for cooling the electric motor and the motor control device circulates; a pump connected to the refrigerant pipe for pumping the refrigerant; an air vent located at the top of the refrigerant flow path; Equipped with the coolant flow path is configured so that the coolant pumped from the pump flows through the motor control device, the air bleeder, and the electric motor in that order.

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