Electric outboard motor

Abstract

To provide an electric outboard motor capable of surely cooling an electrical part by air cooling in a state of suppressing inflow of external water to periphery of the electrical part without complicating structure of an opening part for inflow of outside air.SOLUTION: An electric outboard motor 1 includes: a propulsion unit 15, an electrical part 16, a blower fan 30 for cooling, an electrical storage chamber 24, a fan storage chamber 26, and a partition wall 22. The propulsion unit 15 generates propulsion force. The electrical part 16 includes a controller for the propulsion unit. The electrical storage chamber 24 stores the electrical part 16 inside. The fan storage chamber 26 has opening parts 41, 42 for outside air to come in and out and stores the blower fan 30 inside. The partition wall 22 partitions the electrical storage chamber 24 and the fan storage chamber 26 and the electrical part 16 is installed on one surface of the electrical storage chamber side 24. The blower fan 30 is arranged in the fan storage chamber 26 so that blown air faces the partition wall 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, outboard motors that use electric motors as the drive source instead of internal combustion engines such as gasoline engines have been developed. A known example of this type of electric outboard motor is one in which an electric motor, which serves as the drive source, is located in the case body of the outboard motor case, which is positioned above the water above the propulsion unit, and the driving force of the electric motor is transmitted to the propulsion unit via a drive shaft (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The electric outboard motor described in Patent Document 1 houses an electric motor for driving, electrical components including a control unit for the electric motor, and other components inside the case body of the outboard motor case. In one form of the electric outboard motor described in this document, the electrical components, which tend to become hot when the motor is in operation, are cooled by an air-cooling mechanism.

[0004] The cooling mechanism includes an outside air intake and an outside air exhaust port provided in the wall of the case body, and a blower fan for circulating air over the electrical components and the like within the case body. The outside air intake and the outside air exhaust port are located in portions of the wall of the case body that are not submerged in water. In this cooling mechanism, outside air taken in through the outside air intake flows into the case body, and is then blown over the electrical components and the like by the exhaust fan. The outside air that has exchanged heat with the electrical components and the like is then discharged to the outside through the outside air exhaust port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-153727 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the electric outboard motor described in Patent Document 1, outside air is introduced into and exhausted from the electrical equipment compartment (inside the case main body) through an outside air intake and an outside air exhaust. However, because the outside air intake and the outside air exhaust must connect the interior of the electrical equipment compartment (case main body) to the outside of the outboard motor, it is difficult to completely prevent seawater, rainwater, and other outside water from entering the electrical equipment compartment. One possible solution to this problem would be to use a labyrinth structure for the outside air intake and the outside air exhaust, but this would complicate the structure of the openings for letting in and out the outside air (the outside air intake and the outside air exhaust), making it difficult to manufacture them at low cost.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electric outboard motor that can reliably cool electrical components with air while preventing external water from entering the electrical components, without complicating the structure of the openings for letting in and out external air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An outboard motor according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a propulsion unit that generates propulsive force, electrical components including a control unit for the propulsion unit, a cooling fan, an electrical component housing chamber that houses the electrical components, a fan housing chamber that has an opening for outside air to enter and exit and houses the blower fan inside, and a partition wall that separates the electrical component housing chamber from the fan housing chamber and has the electrical components mounted on one side of the electrical component housing chamber, and the blower fan is positioned in the fan housing chamber so that the air it blows is directed toward the partition wall.

[0009] In an electric outboard motor configured as described above, the electrical equipment compartment and the fan compartment are separated by a partition wall, and outside air enters and exits the fan compartment through an opening. The outside air that flows into the fan compartment is blown against the partition wall by the blower fan, thereby cooling the electrical components mounted on the partition wall. In this configuration, the opening for external air inlet and outlet is connected to the fan housing chamber, and the fan housing chamber and the electrical equipment housing chamber are separated by a partition wall, so that external water can be prevented from entering the area around the electrical equipment without employing a complex water prevention structure such as a labyrinth structure for the opening for external air inlet and outlet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, electrical components can be reliably cooled by air cooling while preventing external water from flowing into the vicinity of the electrical components, without complicating the structure of the opening for intake and exhaust of external air. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of an outboard motor according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main unit of the outboard motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the main unit of the outboard motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main unit of the outboard motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is a bottom view of the outboard motor according to the first embodiment with some components of the main unit removed. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the main unit of the outboard motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an outboard motor according to a second embodiment with some components of the main unit removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of an outboard motor according to a third embodiment with some parts of the main unit removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, common parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and some overlapping explanations will be omitted. Also, in appropriate places on the drawing, there is an arrow FR pointing forward in the propulsion direction of the electric outboard motor 1, an arrow UP pointing vertically upward, and an arrow LH pointing to the left in the propulsion direction of the electric outboard motor 1.

[0013] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an electric outboard motor 1 according to this embodiment. The electric outboard motor 1 comprises a main unit 10 which is an upper unit, a mounting portion 11 for mounting the main unit 10 to a hull (not shown), a lower unit 12 which houses the main components of the propulsion mechanism, and a connecting portion 13 which connects the main unit 10 and the lower unit 12. The lower unit 12 and the connecting portion 13 may be a single unit.

[0014] The mounting part 11 is fixed to a transom (not shown) at the rear of the hull. The mounting part 11 is provided with a swivel part (not shown) that rotatably supports the connecting part 13 for steering, and a tilt mechanism (not shown) that supports the connecting part 13 so that it can swing up and down for tilting. The tilt mechanism is a mechanism that appropriately switches the electric outboard motor 1 between a first position, in which the thrust of the boat is directed horizontally when the boat is stopped, and a second position, in which the rear of the electric outboard motor 1 tilts up and down more than in the first position. In addition, reference numeral 65 in FIG. 1 denotes a tilt axis of the tilt mechanism.

[0015] The electric outboard motor 1 includes a propeller 14 that is submerged in open water and generates propulsive force, an electric motor 15 that drives the propeller 14, electrical components 16 that include a control unit for the electric motor 15 and other components (a control unit for the propulsion unit), and a power transmission mechanism 17 that transmits the power of the electric motor 15 to the propeller 14. In this embodiment, the propeller 14, electric motor 15, power transmission mechanism 17, and other components make up the propulsion unit of the electric outboard motor 1. The power transmission mechanism 17 includes a drive shaft 18 that is coaxially connected to the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15, and a speed reducer (not shown) that reduces the rotation of the drive shaft 18 and transmits it to a propeller shaft 19. The propeller 14 and part of the speed reduction mechanism are provided in the lower unit 12, which is submerged in open water when sailing, while the electric motor 15 and electrical components 16 are provided in the main unit 10, which is located above water when sailing.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main unit 10 as seen from the lower front left, and Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the main unit 10. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main unit 10 cut along the front-rear direction at the center CL in the width direction. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the main unit 10 with some members (lower case 20B, described later) removed, and Fig. 6 is a front view of the main unit 10. The main unit 10 includes an outboard motor case 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the outboard motor case 20 includes a base block 23, an upper case 20A, a lower case 20B, and an outer cover 20C.

[0017] The base block 23 has a generally rectangular shape in top view that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the width direction. However, the four corners of the base block 23 in top view are gently rounded. The base block 23 includes a thick peripheral wall 21 disposed around its periphery, and a partition wall 22 extending into the inner region of the peripheral wall 21. The partition wall 22 is thinner in the up-down direction than the peripheral wall 21. The base block 23 is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy that has good thermal conductivity.

[0018] The upper case 20A is fixed to the peripheral wall 21 so as to cover the upper side of the partition wall 22. The upper case 20A is slightly smaller than the base block 23 and is formed in a shape viewed from above that is substantially the same as that of the base block 23. The upper case 20A forms an electrical equipment accommodating chamber 24 between itself and the partition wall 22 of the base block 23. The upper case 20A is formed from a hard resin material. The space between the upper case 20A and the base block 23 is sealed by an annular sealing member (not shown). This ensures that the electrical equipment accommodating chamber 24 is watertight.

[0019] The lower case 20B is fixed to the peripheral wall 21 of the base block 23 so as to cover the lower side of the base block 23. The lower case 20B has a front case region 20BF ​​that is narrow in vertical width from the lower end of the peripheral wall 21 of the base block 23, and a rear case region 20BR that is wide in vertical width from the lower end of the peripheral wall 21 of the base block 23. The front case region 20BF ​​is located on the front side of the lower case 20B in the front-to-rear direction, and the rear case region 20BR is located on the rear side of the lower case 20B in the front-to-rear direction.

[0020] The front case region 20BF ​​has left and right side walls 35s and a front wall 35f that are shorter in vertical dimension than the rear case region 20BR, and a front bottom wall 35b that covers the lower part of the space surrounded by these. The rear case region 20BR has left and right side walls 36s and a rear wall 36r that are longer in the vertical dimension than the front case region 20BF, a front wall 36f that extends downward from the rear end of the front bottom wall 35b of the front case region 20BF, and a rear bottom wall 36b that covers the lower part of the space surrounded by these. The rear bottom wall 36b of the rear case region 20BR is positioned lower than the front bottom wall 35b of the front case region 20BF. A curved recess 36fc that curves in an arc shape toward the rear is provided in the widthwise central region of the front wall 36f of the rear case region 20BR. In this embodiment, the left and right side walls 36s, the rear wall 36r, the front wall 36f, and the rear bottom wall 36b of the rear case region 20BR form a recess 25 in the lower case 20B. This recess 25 forms the main part of the fan accommodating chamber 26 between itself and the partition wall 22 of the base block 23.

[0021] The lower case 20B is made of a hard resin material, similar to the upper case 20A. The lower outer peripheral edge of the lower case 20B is reinforced with a metal material such as an aluminum alloy. This ensures the rigidity of the lower case 20B when a user places their hand on the edge of the lower surface of the lower case 20B when carrying the device. The partition wall 22 of the base block 23 separates the electrical equipment housing chamber 24 and the fan housing chamber 26 into upper and lower chambers.

[0022] The outer cover 20C is fixed to the peripheral wall 21 of the base block 23 so as to cover the periphery and upper side of the upper case 20A. The outer cover 20C is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, and protects the upper area of ​​the outboard motor case 20 from the outside while also functioning as a design surface to improve the appearance.

[0023] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the electric motor 15 is fixedly installed on the upper surface of the partition wall 22 of the base block 23 at a position slightly forward of the center position in the front-to-rear direction. The electric motor 15 is located at the center position in the width direction of the upper surface of the partition wall 22. A through hole 27 is formed in the center of the installation position of the electric motor 15 in the partition wall 22, allowing the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 to protrude downward. The through hole 27 is formed in a cylindrical boss portion 28 that protrudes downward from the partition wall 22. The cylindrical connecting portion 13 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is connected to this boss portion 28.

[0024] 4, an inclined wall portion 33 whose upper surface slopes downward toward the rear is provided on the upper surface of the partition wall 22 of the base block 23 at a position rearward of the installation portion of the electric motor 15. The electrical components 16 are fixedly installed on the upper surface of the inclined wall portion 33 via a heat-conductive sheet 50 (heat-conductive material) such as a silicone sheet. The electrical components 16 are components that tend to generate heat and include at least a control unit (drive circuit) for the electric motor 15. Heat generated by the electrical components 16 is transferred to the inclined wall portion 33 of the partition wall 22 via the heat-conductive sheet 50.

[0025] A plurality of fins 22a protrude from the lower surface of the inclined wall portion 33 so as to face the inside of the fan housing chamber 26. Each fin 22a is formed integrally with the inclined wall portion 33 (compartment wall 22). In this embodiment, the fins 22a are formed of plate-like pieces extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The fins 22a extend elongatedly in the front-rear direction and are spaced apart at approximately regular intervals in the width direction. The front ends of the plurality of fins 22a extend as far as the installation portion of the electric motor 15. The front ends of the plurality of fins 22a are arranged so that their front end positions are offset in an arc so as to follow the circular outer periphery of the electric motor 15.

[0026] 4, the electrical component 16 is installed on the inclined wall portion 33 of the partition wall 22 so that at least a portion of the electrical component 16 faces the fin portion 22a across the partition wall 22. In this embodiment, a portion of the rear region of the electrical component 16 is offset rearward relative to the fin portion 22a, but the remaining portion is disposed above the fin portion 22a.

[0027] A blower fan 30 that blows air toward the partition wall 22 is installed in the fan housing chamber 26 formed between the partition wall 22 and the lower case 20B. The blower fan 30 is fixed to the underside of the partition wall 22 via a metal bracket 55. The blower fan 30 is supported by the bracket 55 so as to be spaced a predetermined distance above the bottom surface 36bs of the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B. The blower fan 30 is positioned so as to partially overlap with the rear region of the multiple fin portions 22a of the partition wall 22 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0028] The blower fan 30 is inclined such that its airflow axis c1 (see FIG. 4) faces upward and forward so that the airflow direction faces the direction of the fin portion 22a located at the upper front. In other words, the blower fan 30 is disposed so that its airflow axis c1 faces the front side relative to the vertical direction, toward the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15. Therefore, the blower fan 30 is disposed so that its airflow direction faces the side where the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15 are located, across the partition wall 22. The rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B located below the blower fan 30 is inclined downward and forward so as to be substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the blower fan 30. In this embodiment, the multiple fin portions 22a are provided on the underside of the inclined wall portion 33 so as to extend in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions, so that the air blown by the blower fan 30 flows smoothly along the fin portions 22a in the direction of the installation portion of the electric motor 15.

[0029] The lower case 20B is provided with a first opening 41 and a second opening 42 for letting outside air in and out of the fan housing chamber 26. The first opening 41 is disposed in a region forward of the recess 25 of the lower case 20B, through which the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 and the substantially cylindrical coupling portion 13 are inserted. More specifically, a substantially circular, large-diameter through-hole 38 is formed in a position spanning the front bottom wall 35b of the front case region 20BF ​​of the lower case 20B and a portion of the front wall 36f (curved recess 36fc) of the rear case region 20BR, and the output shaft 15a and coupling portion 13 are inserted in a central region of the through-hole 38. Note that a portion of the through-hole 38 is formed spanning the curved recess 36fc of the front wall 36f. The first opening 41 is defined by a substantially annular gap between the through-hole 38 and the coupling portion 13. Therefore, it can be said that the first opening 41 also serves as a shaft insertion portion through which the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 is inserted. However, in this embodiment, the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 is inserted through the first opening 41 that also serves as the shaft insertion portion, but if the protruding length of the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15 is short, the drive shaft 18 or an intermediate shaft that connects the output shaft 15a and the drive shaft 18 may be inserted through the first opening 41 that also serves as the shaft insertion portion. In other words, the shaft that is inserted through the shaft insertion portion (first opening 41) is not limited to the output shaft 15a of the electric motor 15, and may be the drive shaft 18, an intermediate shaft, or the like, as long as it is a shaft on the output side of the electric motor 15. The annular first opening 41 is disposed in a region closer to the attachment portion 11 than the electrical component 16 and at least a part of the electric motor 15 (a region on the front side).

[0030] The second opening 42 is formed in the rear bottom wall 36b of the recess 25 of the lower case 20B. More specifically, the second opening 42 is disposed in a region of the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B that is rearward of the center position of the electrical component 16 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the second opening 42 is disposed in a position where a portion of the front end side overlaps with the rear end of the electrical component 16 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , the second opening 42 is formed by a plurality of slits provided along the front-rear direction in a substantially rectangular region of the rear bottom wall 36b. The second opening 42 formed by a plurality of slits is disposed in a region on the side farther away from the attachment portion 11 than the electrical component 16 and at least a part of the electric motor 15 (a rear region).

[0031] Furthermore, a pair of drain holes 60 are formed in the rear bottom wall 36b that constitutes part of the recess 25 of the lower case 20B. The drain holes 60 are formed in the left and right front corners of the rear bottom wall 36b of the recess 25. More specifically, the pair of drain holes 60 are provided on the front end side of the recess 25, at positions that are outer ends on both sides in the width direction with the steering shaft (drive shaft 18) between them.

[0032] The rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B has a downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc that slopes downward from the rear end toward the front, and a horizontal portion 20Bbd that extends horizontally forward from the front end of the downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc. The pair of drainage holes 60 are provided in the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B at left and right end positions on the front end side of the horizontal portion 20Bbd. In other words, the pair of drainage holes 60 are located at left and right end positions in the area of ​​the rear bottom wall 36b that is the lowest when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first posture. As described above, the first position is the position of the electric outboard motor 1 in which the thrust of the boat is directed horizontally when the boat is stopped. When the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position, the drive shaft 18 faces vertically downward. The horizontal section 20Bbd is horizontal in this state.

[0033] In this embodiment, the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B has a shape that includes a downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc and a horizontal portion 20Bbd, but the shape of the rear bottom wall 36b is not limited to this. The rear bottom wall 36b may have a shape that includes a curved portion, for example. Regardless of the shape, it is desirable that the rear bottom wall 36b be located in an area where the inner surface is at its lowest when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position.

[0034] As described above, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the electrical component housing chamber 24 and the fan housing chamber 26 of the main unit 10 are separated by the partition wall 22, and outside air enters and leaves the interior of the fan housing chamber 26 through the openings (the first opening 41 and the second opening 42). At this time, the outside air that has flowed into the fan housing chamber 26 is blown by the blower fan 30 and hits the underside of the partition wall 22, and the electrical components 16 installed on the upper side of the partition wall 22 are cooled through the partition wall 22. Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the openings through which outside air enters and exits (the first opening 41 and the second opening 42) communicate with the fan housing chamber 26, and the fan housing chamber 26 and the electrical component housing chamber 24 are separated by the partition wall 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent outside water from entering around the electrical component 16 without employing a complex water intrusion prevention structure such as a labyrinth structure in the openings through which outside air enters and exits (the first opening 41 and the second opening 42). Therefore, when the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment is used, the electrical components 16 can be reliably cooled by air cooling while preventing external water from entering around the electrical components 16, without complicating the structure of the openings for external air intake and exhaust.

[0035] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the partition wall 22 is provided with cooling fins 22a that protrude toward the fan housing chamber 26. Therefore, the cooling fins 22a increase the surface area of ​​the portion of the partition wall 22 that faces the fan housing chamber 26, allowing the partition wall 22 to be efficiently cooled by the outside air flowing through the fan housing chamber 26. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the electrical components 16 can be cooled more efficiently.

[0036] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, at least a portion of the electrical component 16 is disposed in a position facing the cooling fin portion 22a across the partition wall 22. Therefore, the electrical component 16 is disposed so that at least a portion of the electrical component 16 overlaps with an area of ​​the partition wall 22 that is efficiently cooled by the cooling fin portion 22a. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the electrical component 16 can be cooled more efficiently.

[0037] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the blower fan 30 is installed so that the airflow direction faces the cooling fins 22a. This ensures that the forced air from the blower fan 30 hits the cooling fins 22a, which are positioned so as to overlap at least a portion of the electrical components 16. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the electrical components 16 can be cooled even more efficiently.

[0038] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the drive electric motor 15 is mounted on the upper surface of the partition wall 22 inside the electrical equipment compartment 24. This allows the electric motor 15, which tends to generate heat when in operation, to be reliably cooled through the partition wall 22 in the same way as the electrical components 16.

[0039] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the first opening 41 for intake and exhaust of outside air is located in an area closer to the mounting portion 11 than the electrical components 16 and at least a portion of the electric motor 15, and the second opening 42 for intake and exhaust of outside air is located in an area farther from the mounting portion 11 than at least a portion of the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15. Therefore, outside air flows into the fan housing chamber 26 through one of the first opening 41 and the second opening 42, flows through the fan housing chamber 26, and flows out to the outside through the other of the first opening 41 and the second opening 42. At this time, at least a portion of the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15 is located facing the flow path between the first opening 41 and the second opening 42, with the partition wall 22 in between. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15 are efficiently cooled by the outside air flowing through the above-mentioned flow path, further improving the cooling performance for the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15.

[0040] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, one of the openings, the first opening 41, is formed to also serve as a shaft insertion portion through which the output shaft of the electric motor 15 is inserted. In this case, it is possible to easily ensure a relatively large opening for the intake and exhaust of outside air below the fan housing chamber 26, making it easy to improve the cooling performance for the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15.

[0041] In particular, in this embodiment, the first opening 41, which is located forward in the traveling direction of the boat, is formed so as to straddle a part of the front wall 36f of the recess 25 of the lower case 20B, so that traveling wind can easily flow into the fan housing chamber 26 through the first opening 41. This also improves the cooling performance for the electrical components 16 and the electric motor 15.

[0042] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the blower fan 30 is disposed at an angle so that the blower axis c1 faces the electric motor 15 relative to the vertical direction. In this case, the air blown by the blower fan 30 is directed toward the electric motor 15 across the partition wall 22, making it possible to efficiently cool the electric motor 15, which generates heat when in operation.

[0043] In particular, in this embodiment, the partition wall 22 is provided with an inclined wall portion 33 that slopes upward from the blower fan 30 toward the installation position of the electric motor 15, so that the electric motor 15 can be efficiently cooled by the outside air blown by the blower fan 30. In other words, not only the underside of the electric motor 15 but also the periphery of the lower region of the electric motor 15 can be cooled by the air blown by the blower fan 30. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple cooling fin portions 22a protruding from the underside of the inclined wall portion 33 also function as guide portions that guide the airflow toward the electric motor 15, thereby further improving the cooling efficiency for the electric motor 15.

[0044] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, a drain hole 60 is provided in the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B, which forms the fan housing chamber 26 together with the partition wall 22. Therefore, even if outside water enters the fan housing chamber 26 through the first opening 41 or the second opening 42, the outside water can be discharged to the outside through the drain hole 60 provided in the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B.

[0045] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the drain holes 60 are provided on both sides of the widthwise center CL (the position where the drive shaft 18 is located) of the rear bottom wall 36b of the lower case 20B. Therefore, for example, even when tilting up or down while steering the outboard motor, outside water can be reliably discharged to the outside through the drain holes 60 on either side in the widthwise direction of the rear bottom wall 36b.

[0046] In the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the drain holes 60 are located at the front end of the recess 25 that is recessed downward in the lower case 20B, at the outer ends on both sides in the width direction. This makes it possible to more reliably drain outside water from inside the fan housing chamber 26 when the outboard motor is tilted up while steering. In this embodiment, the rear bottom wall 36b (downwardly inclined portion 20Bbc) of the recess 25 is formed to be inclined forward when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position, where it is neither tilted up nor tilted down. Therefore, even when the electric outboard motor 1 is in the first position, outside water in the fan housing chamber 26 can be efficiently discharged to the outside through the left and right drainage holes 60.

[0047] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the blower fan 30 is fixed to the partition wall 22 via a bracket 55 so as to be spaced apart from the bottom surface 20Bbs of the fan housing chamber 26. This makes it difficult for outside water to enter the interior of the blower fan 30, even if it does enter the fan housing chamber 26. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the performance of the blower fan 30 can be maintained in a stable and excellent condition.

[0048] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 1 of this embodiment, the electrical components 16 are mounted on the partition wall 22 via a heat-conductive sheet 50, which is a heat-conductive material. Therefore, the heat transfer between the electrical components 16 and the partition wall 22 can be maintained at all times well by the heat-conductive sheet 50. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the heat generated by the electrical components 16 is efficiently dissipated into the fan housing chamber 26 through the partition wall 22, making it possible to efficiently cool the electrical components 16.

[0049] Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electric outboard motor 101 of this embodiment with some parts (lower cover) of the main unit 110 removed. The electric outboard motor 101 of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, the electric outboard motor 101 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that a heat transfer block 70 is attached to the lower area of ​​the electrical components, and part of the heat transfer block 70 penetrates part of the partition wall 22 of the base block 123.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7 , a rectangular through-hole 69 is formed in the partition wall 22 of the base block 123. A heat transfer block 70 attached to the electrical component has multiple cooling fins 70a protruding from it. Each cooling fin 70a of the heat transfer block 70 is formed in a plate shape extending in the front-to-rear and up-down directions. The multiple cooling fins 70a of the heat transfer block 70 protrude through the through-hole 69 into the fan housing chamber below. A sealing material (not shown) seals the gap between the through-hole 69 and the heat transfer block 70. This ensures that the electrical component housing chamber 24 above the partition wall 22 is sealed from the fan housing chamber 26 below the partition wall 22. This prevents external water from entering the electrical component housing chamber 24 from the fan housing chamber 26 through the gap between the through-hole 69 and the heat transfer block 70. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the electrical components are cooled by outside air via cooling fins 70a (heat transfer blocks 70) that protrude into the fan housing chamber.

[0051] In addition, the fan housing chamber is provided with a blower fan 30, as in the first embodiment. The blower fan 30 is disposed tilted forward and upward so that the airflow direction faces the cooling fins 70a and the electrical components above them.

[0052] The electric outboard motor 101 of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, and therefore can achieve the same basic effects as those of the first embodiment described above. However, in the electric outboard motor 101 of this embodiment, the heat transfer block 70 on which the electrical components are mounted is provided with cooling fins 70a that protrude from the partition wall 22 into the fan housing, so the electrical components in the electrical housing can be efficiently cooled by the outside air inside the fan housing. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, the cooling performance of the electrical components can be further improved.

[0053] Furthermore, in the electric outboard motor 101 of this embodiment, the blower fan 30 is installed so that the airflow direction faces the cooling fins 70a. This ensures that the forced air from the blower fan 30 hits the cooling fins 70a of the heat transfer block 70. Therefore, when this configuration is adopted, it is possible to cool the electrical components more efficiently.

[0054] Third Embodiment FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the electric outboard motor 201 of this embodiment with some parts (lower cover) of the main unit 210 removed. The electric outboard motor 201 of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment. However, the electric outboard motor 201 of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the electrical components 16, which are long in one direction, are arranged laterally along the width direction of the main unit 210, and a pair of blower fans 30A are arranged side by side in the width direction of the main unit 210 below the partition wall 22. In this embodiment as well, the pair of blower fans 30A are fixed to the partition wall 22 via brackets 55.

[0055] The electric outboard motor 201 of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, and therefore can achieve the same basic effects as those of the first embodiment described above. However, in the electric outboard motor 201 of this embodiment, the electrical components 16, which are long in one direction, are arranged laterally along the width direction of the main unit 210, and the pair of blower fans 30A are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the electrical components 16, so it is possible to sufficiently shorten the length of the main unit 210 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, because the pair of blower fans 30A are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the electrical components 16, it is possible to further improve the cooling performance for the electrical components 16.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first opening 41 and the second opening 42 are provided in the lower case 20B that forms the fan housing chamber 26 as openings for letting in and out outside air. However, the number of openings is not limited to two, and may be three or more, or may be one.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first opening 41 is formed to overlap with a portion of the electric motor 15 in the front-rear direction, but the first opening 41 may be arranged forward of the electric motor 15 so as not to overlap with the electric motor 15 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second opening 42 is formed to overlap with a portion of the electrical component 16 in the front-rear direction, but the second opening 42 may be arranged rearward of the electrical component 16 so as not to overlap with the electrical component 16 in the front-rear direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1,101,201…Electric outboard motor 11...Mounting part 14...Screw (propulsion part) 15...Electric motor (propulsion section) 15a...Output shaft 16...Electrical components 17...Power transmission mechanism (propulsion section) 20B...Lower case 22...Partition wall 22a...Fin section 24...Electrical equipment containment room 25...recess 26...Fan Containment Room 30,30A...Ventilation fan 36b…Rear bottom bottom wall (bottom wall) 36bs...bottom 41...First opening (opening) 42...Second opening (opening) 50...Heat conductive sheet (heat conductive material) 55…Bracket 60...Drain hole 70...Heat transfer block 70a...Cooling fin

Claims

1. a propulsion unit that generates a propulsive force; an electrical component including a control unit of the propulsion unit; A cooling fan, an electrical component accommodating chamber that accommodates the electrical components therein; a fan housing chamber having an opening through which outside air enters and exits, and housing the blower fan therein; a partition wall that separates the electrical equipment housing chamber from the fan housing chamber, and on one side of the partition wall that faces the electrical equipment housing chamber, the electrical components being installed; The electric outboard motor is characterized in that the blower fan is disposed in the fan housing chamber so that the blower fan directs air toward the partition wall.

2. 2. The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall is provided with cooling fins that protrude toward the fan housing chamber.

3. 3. The electric outboard motor according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the electrical component is disposed in a position facing the fin portion across the partition wall.

4. 4. The electric outboard motor according to claim 3, wherein the blower fan is installed so that the blowing direction faces the fin portion.

5. the electrical components are mounted on the partition wall via a heat transfer block having cooling fins; 2. The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer block is installed on the partition wall such that the cooling fins protrude from the partition wall into the fan housing chamber.

6. 6. The electric outboard motor according to claim 5, wherein the blower fan is installed so that the direction of the airflow faces the cooling fins.

7. the propulsion unit includes an electric motor; 2. The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor is disposed in the electrical equipment compartment and is mounted on the partition wall.

8. A mounting portion is provided for mounting the electric outboard motor to the hull of a boat, the openings include a first opening and a second opening that are spaced apart from each other in the fan housing chamber; 8. The electric outboard motor according to claim 7, wherein one of the first opening and the second opening is located in an area closer to the mounting portion than the electrical components and at least a portion of the electric motor, and the other of the first opening and the second opening is located in an area farther from the mounting portion than the electrical components and at least a portion of the electric motor.

9. the openings include a first opening and a second opening that are spaced apart from each other in the fan housing chamber; 8. The electric outboard motor according to claim 7, wherein one of the first opening and the second opening also serves as a shaft insertion portion through which an output shaft of the electric motor is inserted.

10. 8. The electric outboard motor according to claim 7, wherein the blower fan is disposed with its blowing axis tilted relative to the vertical direction toward the electric motor.

11. The fan accommodating chamber is formed by being surrounded by the partition wall and a lower case that covers the lower part of the partition wall, 2. The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein a drain hole is formed in the bottom wall of the lower case.

12. 12. The electric outboard motor according to claim 11, wherein the drain holes are provided on both sides of the center of the bottom wall in the width direction.

13. 13. The electric outboard motor according to claim 12, wherein the lower case has a recess that is recessed downward and in which the blower fan is disposed, and the drainage holes are provided at positions near the front end of the recess and at outer ends on both sides in the width direction.

14. 2. The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the blower fan is fixed to the compartment wall via a bracket so as to be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the fan housing chamber.

15. 2. The electric outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the electrical components are mounted on the partition wall via a heat transfer material.

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