Electric propulsion systems for ships, and ships

Abstract

Improvement of electric motors for marine electric propulsion systems. [Solution] The electric propulsion system for ships comprises a rotor having a rotating shaft, a stator core, windings wound around the stator core, a motor control circuit, and an arc-shaped connecting member that electrically connects the windings and the motor control circuit, and is aligned with the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The angle between a first imaginary line connecting the rotating shaft and one end of the connecting member and a second imaginary line connecting the rotating shaft and the other end of the connecting member is 240 degrees or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a marine electric propulsion machine and a ship.

Background Art

[0002] A winding disposed in a stator of an electric motor of a marine electric propulsion machine and a terminal block are electrically connected by a bus bar provided in a connecting member. The terminal block is disposed at the center of the connecting member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There was room for improvement in the bus bar and the terminal block disposed in the electric motor as in the past.

[0005] This specification discloses a technology capable of solving the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification can be realized in the following forms.

[0007] (1) The electric propulsion system for ships disclosed herein comprises a rotor having a rotating shaft, a stator core, windings wound around the stator core, a motor control circuit, and an arc-shaped connecting member having a conductor that electrically connects the windings and the motor control circuit, and extending in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The angle between a first imaginary line connecting the rotating shaft and one end of the connecting member and a second imaginary line connecting the rotating shaft and the other end of the connecting member is 180 degrees or less. With this electric propulsion system for ships, since the length of the connecting member is 1 / 2 or less of the circumference of the stator core, the amount of material can be reduced and the processing of the connecting member is made easier. (2) In the above-mentioned electric propulsion system for ships, the connecting member may have a terminal block, and the terminal block may be configured to be located on one side with respect to the circumferential center of the connecting member. With this configuration, the terminal block of the connecting member is located on one side in the circumferential direction of the connecting member, which facilitates the processing of the connecting member.

[0008] (3) In the above-mentioned electric propulsion system for ships, the stator core may be configured to have 12 or more slots. With this configuration, even with a large number of slots, the manufacturing process can be simplified by such connecting members.

[0009] (4) In the above-mentioned electric propulsion system for ships, the number of series connections of the windings relative to the number of slots may be 1 / 12 or more. With this configuration, the slot terminals can be easily grouped together by such a connecting member.

[0010] (5) In the above-mentioned ship's electric propulsion system, the ratio of the number of windings connected in series to the number of windings connected in parallel may be greater than 1. With this configuration, by having the above-mentioned connecting member, the number of windings arranged in the stator core will be more in series than in parallel, and the torque of the motor can be increased.

[0011] (6) In the above-mentioned electric propulsion system for ships, the conductor may be a busbar. With this configuration, especially when the conductor is a busbar, the amount of material can be further reduced by such a connecting member, and the processing of the connecting member becomes easier.

[0012] (7) In the above-mentioned electric propulsion system for ships, the connecting member may have a first projection that is inserted between adjacent first teeth and second teeth located on the stator core. With this configuration, the connecting member is stabilized with respect to the stator core by having the first projection.

[0013] (8) In the above-described electric propulsion system for ships, the first projection of the connecting member may be configured to be positioned between the first teeth and the second teeth in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, the connecting member is more stable with respect to the stator core in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft by having the first projection positioned on two adjacent teeth in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft.

[0014] (9) In the above-described electric propulsion system for ships, the first projection of the connecting member may be configured to be positioned in the radial direction of the rotating shaft between at least one of the first teeth and the second teeth and the inner surface of the stator core between the base end of the first tooth and the base end of the second tooth. With this configuration, the connecting member is more stable with respect to the stator core in the radial direction of the rotating shaft by having a first projection positioned in the radial direction of the rotating shaft between at least one of two adjacent teeth and the inner surface between the base ends of two adjacent teeth.

[0015] (10) In the above-described electric propulsion system for ships, the first projection may be configured to have a groove in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. With this configuration, the first projection of the connecting member has a groove in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, which allows the connecting member and the stator core to be more stabilized in the circumferential direction.

[0016] (11) In the above-described electric propulsion system for ships, the stator core may have a second projection in the radial direction of the rotation axis, and the second projection may be in contact with either one of the radial sides of the connecting member. With this configuration, the second projection stabilizes the connecting member with respect to the radial direction.

[0017] (12) In the above-mentioned electric propulsion system for ships, the stator having the stator core, the windings, and the connecting member may be embedded in resin. With this configuration, when the stator core portion is embedded in resin, the structure of the connecting member makes deformation of the connecting member less likely.

[0018] (13) The above-mentioned vessel may be configured to include the above-mentioned ship's electric propulsion system.

[0019] (14) A marine electric propulsion system disclosed herein comprises a rotor having a rotating shaft, a stator core, windings wound around the stator core, a motor control circuit, and an arc-shaped connecting member having a conductor that electrically connects the windings to the motor control circuit, and which is aligned with the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The connecting member has a terminal block, wherein the angle between a first imaginary line connecting the rotating shaft and one end of the connecting member and a second imaginary line connecting the rotating shaft and the other end of the connecting member is 240 degrees or less, and the terminal block is positioned on one side with respect to the circumferential center of the connecting member. According to this marine electric propulsion system, the connecting member is short in length relative to the circumference of the stator core, and the terminal block is located at one end of the connecting member, thus reducing the amount of material and facilitating the processing of the connecting member.

[0020] The technologies disclosed herein can be implemented in various forms, for example, in outboard motors, ship propulsion systems, and ships equipped with ship propulsion systems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the ship propulsion machine disclosed in this specification, since the connecting member has a short length relative to the circumference of the stator core, the material can be reduced and the processing of the connecting member becomes easy.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] Perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the ship of the embodiment [Figure 2] Side view schematically showing the configuration of the electric propulsion machine [Figure 3] Schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drive unit [Figure 4] Perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the stator [Figure 5] Perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the stator body [Figure 6] Perspective view showing the configuration of the stator core and the winding [Figure 7] Enlarged view of VII in FIG. 6 [Figure 8] Perspective view showing the configuration of the connecting member [Figure 9] Enlarged view of IX in FIG. 8 [Figure 10] Enlarged view of X in FIG. 5 [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view at the position of XI-XI in FIG. 10 [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view at the position of XII-XII in FIG. 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] A. Embodiment: A-1. Configuration of Ship 1: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the vessel 1 of the embodiment. In Figure 1 and other drawings described later, arrows representing directions relative to the position of the vessel 1 may be shown. More specifically, each figure may show arrows representing the front, rear, left, right, up, and down directions. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction (vertical direction) are all orthogonal to each other. The vessel 1 comprises a hull 10 and an electric propulsion system 100. The electric propulsion system 100 is an example of a marine electric propulsion system.

[0024] The hull 10 is the part of the vessel 1 where the operator (crew) is seated. The hull 10 comprises the main hull section 12, the cockpit 16, and the control system 17.

[0025] A living space 11 is formed in the main hull section 12. The cockpit 16 is installed in the living space 11. The hull 10 further includes a partition wall 13 and a transom 14. The partition wall 13 demarcates the rear side of the living space 11. The transom 14 is located at the rear end of the hull 10. In the longitudinal direction, a space 15 exists between the transom 14 and the partition wall 13.

[0026] The control device 17 is installed near the cockpit 16. The control device 17 is a device for steering the ship. The control device 17 includes a steering wheel 21, a shift / throttle lever 22, a joystick unit 23, a display device 24, and an input device 25.

[0027] The steering wheel 21 is an operating device for steering the vessel 1. The shift / throttle lever 22 is an operating device for shifting gears and changing the thrust of the vessel 1. The joystick unit 23 is an operating device for steering the vessel 1, shifting gears, and changing the thrust of the vessel 1. The display device 24 is, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays various images related to the vessel 1 (such as operation images). The input device 25 is a button for changing the operating mode, for example. A-2. Configuration of the electric propulsion system 100:

[0028] Figure 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the electric propulsion system 100. The electric propulsion system 100 is a device that generates thrust to propel the ship 1. The electric propulsion system 100 is an electrically driven propulsion system driven by an electric motor. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the electric propulsion system 100 in the reference position will be described. The reference position is the position of the electric propulsion system 100 when the ship 1 is underway (the position shown in Figure 1), and is the position in which the propeller rotation axis L of the propeller 132, which will be described later, extends in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions are each determined based on the electric propulsion system 100 in the reference position.

[0029] The electric propulsion system 100 is mounted on the transom 14 located at the rear (stern) of the hull 10 (see Figure 1). The electric propulsion system 100 comprises a propulsion unit 101 and a suspension device 102.

[0030] The thruster body 101 includes a cowl 110, a middle housing 150, a steering device 152, a lower housing 120, a duct 122, and a drive unit 130.

[0031] The cowl 110 is located on top of the electric propulsion system 100. The cowl 110 is a cover that houses, for example, various wiring. The cowl 110 has an upper cover 110U, a left cover 110L, and a right cover (not shown). The left cover 110L is located on the port side. The right cover is located on the starboard side. The left cover 110L and the right cover are arranged to face each other in the horizontal direction (left-right direction). The upper cover 110U is located above the left cover 110L and the right cover. The upper cover 110U covers the upper part of the left cover 110L and the upper part of the right cover, respectively.

[0032] The middle housing 150 is located below the cowl 110 of the electric propulsion system 100. The middle housing 150 is a cover that houses, for example, the steering mechanism 152, various wiring, etc.

[0033] The steering device 152 is a device that controls the rudder angle of the ship 1. The steering device 152 includes, for example, an electric motor. The steering device 152 is housed in a middle housing 150.

[0034] The lower housing 120 is located below the middle housing 150 in the electric propulsion system 100. The lower housing 120 is a cover that houses, for example, the MCU (Motor Control Unit), various wiring, etc. The lower housing 120 is rotatably mounted to the middle housing 150 around an axis (rudder axis) that runs vertically. When the steering device 152 housed in the middle housing 150 operates, the lower housing 120 and the drive unit 130 connected to the lower housing 120 rotate around the steering axis. This controls the rudder angle of the ship 1.

[0035] The duct 122 is located below the lower housing 120 of the electric propulsion system 100. The duct 122 is tubular. In the reference position, the duct 122 is positioned below the water surface W. The drive unit 130 is located radially inside the duct 122. A stator fin 133 and a bearing 135 are provided radially inside the duct 122. The bearing 135 supports the propeller 132, described later, so that it can rotate around the propeller rotation axis L. The stator fin 133 has multiple (e.g., three) fins. The multiple fins are arranged radially around the bearing 135. The multiple fins are arranged at equal intervals around the propeller rotation axis L. The multiple fins are fixed to the duct 122. The multiple fins are provided so as to protrude rearward from the duct 122 behind the propeller 132 (see Figure 1).

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the drive unit 130. The drive unit 130 generates thrust to propel the ship 1. The drive unit 130 includes a propeller 132 and an electric motor 134.

[0037] The propeller 132 is a rotating body having multiple blades. The propeller 132 generates thrust by rotating. The propeller 132 is located radially inward of the duct 122. The propeller 132 is rotatable around a horizontal propeller rotation axis L. The propeller rotation axis L is parallel to the central axis of the duct 122. The duct 122 covers the entire circumference of the propeller 132. Due to the duct effect of the duct 122, the flow velocity of the water flowing into the duct 122 increases.

[0038] The electric motor 134 rotates the propeller 132. The electric motor 134 is powered by a three-phase alternating current. The electric motor 134 includes a rotor 200 and a stator 300. The rotor 200 and stator 300 are both tubular. The rotor 200 is located radially inward of the stator 300. The rotor 200 and stator 300 are coaxial. The rotor 200 is rotatably supported relative to the duct 122. The rotor 200 rotates around the propeller rotation axis L relative to the stator 300. The propeller 132 is located radially inward of the rotor 200. The propeller 132 is fixed to the rotor 200. The propeller 132 rotates together with the rotor 200. The rotor 200 includes a plurality of permanent magnets 220. In Figure 5, only one of the multiple permanent magnets 220 is labeled, while the labels for the other permanent magnets 220 are omitted. The multiple permanent magnets 220 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotor 200.

[0039] The stator 300 is fixed to the duct 122. The stator 300 includes multiple windings 320. In Figure 3, only one of the multiple windings 320 is labeled, and the labels for the other windings 320 are omitted. The multiple windings 320 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the stator 300. When the multiple windings 320 are energized, an electromagnetic force is generated that rotates the rotor 200. With this configuration, the propeller 132 generates forward thrust when the rotor 200 of the electric motor 134 rotates in the forward direction, and backward thrust when the rotor 200 of the electric motor 134 rotates in the reverse direction. The configuration of the stator 300 will be described in detail later.

[0040] The suspension device 102 is a device that suspends the propulsion unit 101 from the hull 10. The suspension device 102 rotates the propulsion unit 101 around the tilt axis At (see Figure 2). This enables a tilt operation that rotates the propulsion unit 101 vertically relative to the hull 10.

[0041] A-3. Detailed configuration of the Stator 300: Figure 4 is a simplified perspective view showing the configuration of the stator 300. Figure 5 is a simplified perspective view showing the configuration of the stator body 350. As shown in Figure 4, the stator 300 has a resin portion 310 and a stator body 350.

[0042] The stator body 350 is the internal structure of the stator 300. As shown in Figure 5, the stator body 350 comprises a stator core 400, windings 320, and a connecting member 600. As described above, the windings 320 are components that generate electromagnetic force. The windings 320 are conductive. The windings 320 are made of copper wire. The copper wires of the windings 320 are covered with an insulator. The stator core 400 is tubular. The stator core 400 has a plurality of teeth 420 on its radially inner surface. The windings 320 are wound around each tooth 420. The connecting member 600 is a component that electrically connects the motor control circuit and the windings 320. The connecting member 600 has a terminal block 660. The terminal block 660 is a component that electrically connects the stator 300 and the motor control circuit. The terminal block 660 has U-phase terminal 662, V-phase terminal 664, and W-phase terminal 666, which are connection terminals for three-phase AC (see Figure 4). The stator core 400, winding 320, and connecting member 600 will be described in detail later.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the resin portion 310 is positioned on the stator body 350. Specifically, the resin portion 310 is positioned on the entire front side and radially inner side of the stator body 350, and on the front half of the radially outer side of the stator body 350. The resin of the resin portion 310 is a thermosetting bulk molding compound. The inner surface 310S of the resin portion 310 is further coated. When the stator 300 is positioned in the duct 122, the inner surface 310S and the front surface of the stator 300 are exposed to water. The rest is positioned inside the duct 122. The stator 300 is manufactured by insert molding the stator body 350 with the resin that forms the resin portion 310. That is, the stator 300 is manufactured by first installing the stator body 350 in a mold, then closing the mold, and injecting and molding the resin.

[0044] A portion of the stator body 350 is exposed from areas other than the resin portion 310 of the stator 300. The exposed portion of the stator body 350 consists of a part of the stator core 400 and the U-phase terminal 662, V-phase terminal 664, and W-phase terminal 666 of the terminal block 660.

[0045] (Stator core 400) Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the stator core 400 and the winding 320. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of area VII in Figure 6. The stator core 400 has a stator core body 410, a plurality of teeth 420, and core protrusions 480. The core protrusions 480 are an example of a second protrusion.

[0046] The stator core body 410 is a component that forms the main body portion of the stator core 400. The stator core body 410 is tubular in shape. The stator core body 410 is made of iron.

[0047] The teeth 420 are components on which the winding wire 320 is wound. The teeth 420 are arranged on the inner surface 450S, which is the radially inner surface of the stator core body 410 (see Figure 11). Multiple teeth 420 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner surface 450S. In this embodiment, there are 60 teeth. The teeth 420 are made of iron. The teeth 420 have a tooth body (not shown) and a tooth tip 440. The tooth body extends from the inner surface 450S. The tooth body has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The tooth tip 440 is formed on the tip side of the tooth 420. The tooth tip 440 is a portion that protrudes in the circumferential and radial directions from the tip side of the tooth body. The tooth tip 440 has recesses 443 at both ends of the front side of the back surface 444S of the tooth tip 440 that faces the inner surface 450S. The gap between adjacent pairs of teeth 420 is a slot 460. Multiple slots 460 are formed in the stator core 400. In this embodiment, there are 60 slots 460.

[0048] The core projection 480 protrudes forward from the radially outer side surface of the stator core body 410. The core projection 480 is located on the front side of the stator core body 410, which forms the slot 460.

[0049] (Connecting member 600) Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the connecting member 600. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by IX in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 8, the connecting member 600 has an arc-shaped connecting member body 640, the terminal block 660 described above, a connecting projection 700, and a bus bar 620. The connecting projection 700 is an example of the first projection. As shown in Figure 5, the connecting member 600 is an arc-shaped member that follows the circumference on the radially inner side of the stator core 400. When one end of the connecting member 600 in the longitudinal direction is designated as end 600A and the other end as end 600B, and the central axis of the stator core 400 is designated as center C, the angle θ between the first imaginary line N1 connecting end 600A and center C and the second imaginary line N2 connecting end 600B and center C is 95.4°.

[0050] The connecting member body 640 is an arc-shaped member. The connecting member body 640 is made of resin. The connecting member body 640 has an outer projection 642 and a screw receiver 680 (see Figure 12). The connecting member body 640 has a groove 644 along the arc in the center of its front surface (see Figure 12). The terminal block 660 is located at the end 600A, which is one circumferential direction of the connecting member 600. The outer projection 642 protrudes radially outward from the front of the radially outer surface of the connecting member body 640. The rear surface of the outer projection 642 is in contact with the front surface of the core projection 480 (see Figure 12).

[0051] The screw receiver 680 has a screw hole in the axial direction. The stator core 400 and the connecting member 600 are fastened together with screws through the screw hole in the screw receiver 680. The radially outer surface of the connecting member body 640 faces the radially inner surface of the core projection 480 of the stator core 400 (see Figure 12).

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, the connecting projection 700 is a projection that protrudes to the rear from the connecting member body 640. The connecting projection 700 is made of resin. The connecting projection 700 is a member that is inserted into the slot 460 of the stator core 400 in order to stabilize the positional relationship between the stator core 400 and the connecting member 600 (see Figure 5). The connecting projection 700 is integrally molded with the connecting member body 640. The connecting projection 700 has a first inner portion 710, a second inner portion 720, an outer portion 730, and a connecting portion 740.

[0053] The connecting portion 740 is a part of a connecting projection 700 that extends axially from the radially inward side of the connecting member body 640. The shape of the connecting portion 740 is U-shaped when viewed axially (see Figure 11). The connecting portion 740 has a groove 740A, which is a U-shaped open portion along the axial direction, in the center of the radially inward side.

[0054] The first inner portion 710 is a part of a connecting projection 700 that extends rearward from the radially inner surface of the connecting member body 640. The first inner portion 710 connects to one circumferential end of the connecting portion 740. The first inner portion 710 has a first protrusion 710A on the connecting portion 740 side. The first protrusion 710A extends rearward from the tip of the first inner portion 710 and connects to one circumferential end of the connecting portion 740.

[0055] The second inner portion 720 is a part of a connecting projection 700 that extends rearward from the radially inner surface of the connecting member body 640. The second inner portion 720 connects to the other circumferential end of the connecting portion 740 that is not connected to the first inner portion 710. The second inner portion 720 has a second protrusion 720A on the connecting portion 740 side. The second protrusion 720A extends rearward from the tip of the second inner portion 720 and connects to the other circumferential end of the connecting portion 740. The distance between the ends of the first inner portion 710 and the second inner portion 720 is adjustable in the circumferential direction via the connecting portion 740.

[0056] The outer portion 730 is part of a connecting projection 700 that extends axially from the rear surface of the connecting member body 640. The outer portion 730 connects to the radially outer surface of the center of the U-shape of the connecting portion 740. The axial length of the outer portion 730 gradually increases radially outward from the connecting portion 740. The distance between the outer portion 730 and both ends of the first inner portion 710 or the second inner portion 720 is radially adjustable via the connecting portion 740.

[0057] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of X shown in Figure 5, that is, an enlarged view of the stator body 350. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view at position XI-XI in Figure 10, that is, a radial cross-sectional view taken above the teeth 420 of the stator body 350. Figure 12 is an axial cross-sectional view at position XII-XII in Figure 10, that is, a cross-sectional view taken axially at the location of the slot 460 of the stator body 350.

[0058] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the connecting projection 700 is inserted from the front of the stator core 400 into a slot 460 between an adjacent pair of teeth 420 of the stator core 400. The first protrusion 710A of the first inner portion 710 and the second protrusion 720A of the second inner portion 720 contact a pair of opposing recesses 443 on the tooth tips 440 of an adjacent pair of teeth 420 of the stator core 400. The radially outer surface of the outer portion 730 contacts the inner surface 450S of the stator core body 410. That is, the connecting projection 700 contacts the adjacent pair of teeth 420 in the circumferential direction. The connecting projection 700 contacts the teeth 420 in the radial direction. The connecting projection 700 contacts the stator core body 410 in the radial direction.

[0059] Specifically, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, of any two adjacent teeth 420, one is designated as the first tooth 800 and the other as the second tooth 900. The tips of these teeth are designated as the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920. The gap between the first tooth 800 and the second tooth 900 is the slot 460. The recesses 443 facing the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920 are designated as the first recess 830 and the second recess 930.

[0060] The connecting projection 700 is inserted into the slot 460 between the first tooth 800 and the second tooth 900. The first convex portion 710A of the first inner portion 710 of the connecting projection 700 contacts the first recess 830 of the first tooth 800. The second convex portion 720A of the second inner portion 720 of the connecting projection 700 contacts the second recess 930 of the second tooth 900. As a result, the connecting projection 700 contacts the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920 in the circumferential direction. Since the connecting projection 700 is movable in the circumferential direction by the connecting portion 740, the connecting projection 700 can contact the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920 more stably.

[0061] The connecting projection 700 contacts the inner surface 450S of the stator core body 410 between the first tooth 800 and the second tooth 900 in the radial direction. As a result, the connecting projection 700 is positioned between the tooth tips 440 of the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920 and the inner surface 450S. Since the connecting projection 700 is movable in the radial direction by the connecting portion 740, the connecting projection 700 can contact the tooth tips 440 of the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920 and the inner surface 450S more stably.

[0062] The busbar 620 is a component for electrically connecting each of the three-phase AC terminals of the terminal block 660 to the winding 320. The busbar 620 is a conductor. The busbar 620 is made of copper. As shown in Figure 12, the busbar 620 is a plate-shaped component that runs radially. The busbar 620 is arc-shaped along the circumferential direction of the connecting component 600. The busbar 620 consists of three components: a U-phase busbar 622, a V-phase busbar 624, and a W-phase busbar 626. The U-phase busbar 622, V-phase busbar 624, and W-phase busbar 626 are electrically connected to the U-phase terminal 662, V-phase terminal 664, and W-phase terminal 666 of the terminal block 660, respectively. Each busbar 620 is positioned in a groove 644 of the connecting component body 640. Specifically, the U-phase busbar 622, the V-phase busbar 624, and the W-phase busbar 626 are arranged overlapping in the groove 644, with an insulating resin 628 sandwiched between them.

[0063] As shown in Figure 8, the U-phase busbar 622 has four U-phase fuses 632. Each U-phase fuse 632 is arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the U-phase busbar 622. The V-phase busbar 624 has V-phase fuses 634, similar to the U-phase busbar 622. The W-phase busbar 626 has W-phase fuses 636, similar to the U-phase busbar 622. The fuse 630 is a member that protrudes forward from the arc-shaped plate of the busbar 620. The tip of the fuse 630 has a U-shape in the circumferential direction of the busbar 620. The U-phase fuses 632, V-phase fuses 634, and W-phase fuses 636 are arranged so as not to overlap.

[0064] (Winding 320) The winding 320 is connected to the three-phase AC circuit in a delta connection. Multiple windings 320 are arranged on the stator body 350. In this embodiment, there are six windings 320. As shown in Figure 6, the winding 320 has a UV winding 322, a VW winding 324, and a WU winding 326. The UV winding 322 is electrically connected to the U-phase fusing 632 and the V-phase fusing 634. The VW winding 324 is electrically connected to the V-phase fusing 634 and the W-phase fusing 636. The WU winding 326 is electrically connected to the W-phase fusing 636 and the U-phase fusing 632. Two of each of the UV winding 322, VW winding 324, and WU winding 326 are arranged on the stator body 350. The same type of windings 320 (UV winding 322, VW winding 324, WU winding 326) are arranged in parallel in pairs with respect to the stator core 400.

[0065] The number of series connections of each winding 320 is 1 / 6 of the number of slots 460. The number of series connections of each winding 320 is 5 times the number of parallel connections. In this embodiment, identical windings 320 (UV winding 322, VW winding 324, WU winding 326) are arranged in 10 series and 2 parallel configurations on the stator core 400. Specifically, two of each type of winding 320 are wound around 20 teeth 420. The same type of winding 320 is wound around any pair of adjacent teeth 420. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the UV winding 322 is wound around an adjacent pair of teeth 420. The VW winding 324 is wound around an adjacent pair of teeth 420 next to the tooth 420 on which the UV winding 322 is wound. The WU winding 326 is wound on a pair of adjacent teeth 420 next to the tooth 420 on which the VW winding 324 is wound. Of the identical windings 320 wound on any pair of adjacent teeth 420, one winding 320 is right-handed relative to the tooth 420, while the other winding 320 is left-handed relative to the tooth 420. As a result, each of the two parallel identical windings 320 arranged on a pair of teeth 420 conducts current in the same direction relative to the axis of rotation on the slot 460 side.

[0066] A4. Effects of this embodiment: This embodiment improves upon the conventional electric motor 134 by improving the connecting member 600, which has a busbar 620 that electrically connects the motor control circuit and the windings 320 arranged on the teeth 420 of the stator core 400. This allows for improvements in manufacturing and reduction of materials. Specifically, conventionally, the busbar 620 was arranged around the entire circumference of the stator core 400. In this embodiment, the length of the arc-shaped busbar 620 is approximately 1 / 4 of the entire circumference of the stator core 400. This allows for a reduction in materials, including the busbar 620. Furthermore, the number of fused parts 630 of the busbar 620 can be reduced, and the number of times the fused parts 630 are formed (for example, bending from the busbar 620 body or forming a U-shape) is reduced. The number of times the fused parts 630 are connected to the windings 320 is also reduced. Moreover, the busbar 620 is easier to process when it is arc-shaped (shape of a part of the circumference) rather than circular. Furthermore, by positioning the terminal block 660 at one end of the connecting member 600 having the busbar 620, the length of the connecting member 600 can be minimized.

[0067] On the other hand, if a connecting member 600 having an arc-shaped busbar 620 is placed on the stator core 400, the positions of the connecting member 600 and the stator core 400 will be misaligned. In this embodiment, the connecting projection 700 of the connecting member 600 is in contact with the stator core 400 in the circumferential and radial directions. As a result, the positions of the stator core 400 and the connecting member 600 are stabilized with respect to the circumferential and radial directions of the stator core 400. Furthermore, the contact of the core projection 480 of the stator core 400 with the connecting member 600 further stabilizes the positions of the stator core 400 and the connecting member 600. In particular, when insert molding the stator body 350 with resin, the stabilization of the positions of the stator core 400 and the connecting member 600 prevents misalignment of the positions of the connecting member 600 and the stator core 400 when resin is injected into the mold.

[0068] In this embodiment, the motor includes a rotor 200 having a rotating shaft, a stator core 400, windings 320 wound around the stator core 400, a motor control circuit, and an arc-shaped connecting member 600 that is aligned with the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft and has a busbar 620 which is a conductor that electrically connects the windings 320 and the motor control circuit. The angle θ between a first imaginary line N1 connecting the rotating shaft and one end 600A of the connecting member 600 and a second imaginary line N2 connecting the rotating shaft and the other end 600B of the connecting member 600 is 180 degrees or less. With the electric thruster 100, since the length of the connecting member 600 is 1 / 2 or less of the circumference of the stator core 400, the amount of material can be reduced and the processing of the connecting member 600 becomes easier.

[0069] In this embodiment, the connecting member 600 has a terminal block 660, and the terminal block 660 may be configured to be located on one side relative to the circumferential center of the connecting member 600. With this configuration, the terminal block 660 of the connecting member 600 is located on one side in the circumferential direction of the connecting member 600, which facilitates the processing of the connecting member 600.

[0070] In this embodiment, the number of slots 460 formed in the stator core 400 may be 12 or more. With this configuration, even if the number of slots 460 is large, the manufacturing process can be simplified by such a connecting member 600.

[0071] In this embodiment, the number of series connections of windings 320 relative to the number of slots 460 may be 1 / 12 or more. With this configuration, such a connecting member 600 makes it easier to consolidate the terminals of the slots 460.

[0072] In this embodiment, the ratio of the number of series connections of windings 320 to the number of parallel connections of windings 320 may be greater than 1. With this configuration, by having the above-mentioned connecting member 600, the number of series connections of windings 320 arranged on the stator core 400 will be greater than the number of parallel connections, and the torque of the electric motor 134 can be increased.

[0073] In this embodiment, the connecting member 600 may have a connecting projection 700 that is inserted between adjacent first teeth 800 and second teeth 900 located on the stator core 400. With this configuration, the connecting projection 700 provides stability to the stator core 400.

[0074] In this embodiment, the connecting projection 700 of the connecting member 600 may be configured to contact both the first tooth 800 and the second tooth 900 in the circumferential direction. With this configuration, by having a connecting projection 700 that contacts two adjacent teeth in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis, the connecting member 600 becomes more stable with respect to the stator core 400 in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis.

[0075] In this embodiment, the connecting projection 700 of the connecting member 600 may be configured to contact at least one of the first teeth 800 or the second teeth 900 in the radial direction of the rotation axis. With this configuration, by having a connecting projection 700 that contacts two adjacent teeth in the radial direction of the rotation axis, the connecting member 600 becomes more stable with respect to the stator core 400 in the radial direction of the rotation axis.

[0076] In this embodiment, the connecting projection 700 may be configured to have a groove 740A in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. With this configuration, the connecting projection 700 of the connecting member 600 has a groove 740A in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, which allows the connecting member 600 and the stator core 400 to be more stable in the circumferential direction.

[0077] In this embodiment, the stator core 400 may have core projections 480 in the radial direction of the rotation axis, and the core projections 480 may be in contact with either one of the radial sides of the connecting member 600. With this configuration, the core projections 480 stabilize the connecting member 600 in the radial direction.

[0078] In this embodiment, the stator 300, which has a stator core 400, windings 320, and connecting member 600, may be embedded in resin. With this configuration, when a portion of the stator core 400 is embedded in resin, the structure of the connecting member 600 makes deformation of the connecting member 600 less likely.

[0079] B. Variations: The technologies disclosed herein are not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various forms without departing from their essence, for example, the following modifications are possible.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the resin portion 310 of the stator 300 consisted of the entire front side and radially inward side of the stator 300, and the outer front half. However, the resin-covered portion is not limited to this area. Specifically, the front side of the stator 300 may be the resin portion 310.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the power supply for the electric motor 134 was a three-phase AC power supply, but it is not limited to three-phase AC. It may also be a two-phase AC or a multi-phase AC power supply.

[0082] In the above embodiment, there were 60 teeth 420, but there may be 12 or more. The back surface 444S of the teeth 420 formed a recess 443, but it is not necessary to form a recess 443. In that case, the connecting projection 700 should be arranged circumferentially on a pair of opposing sides in the circumferential direction of an adjacent pair of teeth 420. Alternatively, the connecting projection 700 should be arranged radially on the back surface 444S of the tooth tip 440 of at least one of the adjacent pair of teeth 420 and the radially inward inner surface 450S of the stator core body 410. For example, the circumferential surface of the first inner portion 710 of the connecting projection 700 may be in contact with the circumferential surface of the first tooth 800, and the circumferential surface of the second inner portion 720 may be in contact with the circumferential side of the second tooth 900. Furthermore, the area between the first inner portion 710 and the second inner portion 720 that contact the teeth 420 may be a recess.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the connecting projection 700 contacts the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920 in the circumferential direction, but it does not have to contact them. As long as the positional relationship between the stator core 400 and the connecting member 600 is maintained, the connecting projection 700 only needs to be positioned circumferentially between the first tooth tip 820 and the second tooth tip 920. In particular, it is sufficient if misalignment between the connecting member 600 and the stator core 400 is prevented when insert molding the stator body 350 with resin. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connecting projection 700 has a first inner portion 710, a second inner portion 720, an outer portion 730 and a connecting portion 740, but it is not limited to this. For example, the connecting projection 700 may consist only of the first inner portion 710 and the second inner portion 720. It may also have a structure without a connecting portion 740. Furthermore, there may be multiple outer portions 730.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the surface of the teeth 420 is not specially processed, but it may be processed. For example, an insulator (such as a bobbin) may be placed on all or part of the surface of the teeth 420 including the tooth tip 440 or the inner surface 450S of the stator core body 410. The recess 443 of the teeth 420 may be formed in the insulator. In that case, the connecting projection 700 may be in contact with the recess 443 of the insulator or the inner surface 450S of the insulator. The material of the insulator may be resin. In addition, the surface of the teeth 420 may be provided with grooves for arranging the windings 320. The insulator may be molded from resin and then placed on the teeth 420. The insulator may deform like a warp due to molding shrinkage. This deformation causes a dimensional error in the distance between a pair of opposing recesses 443. The connecting projection 700 is accurately positioned in the circumferential direction of any adjacent pair of teeth 420 by the groove 740A of the connecting projection 700, even if there is a dimensional error in the insulator.

[0085] The core projection 480 may be made of resin. The core projection 480 may be integrally molded with the insulator of the teeth 420 in resin.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the angle θ formed by the first imaginary line N1 connecting the center C and end 600A of the connecting member 600 and the second imaginary line N2 connecting the center C and end 600B was approximately 90 degrees, but it may be greater than or equal to 90 degrees. The angle θ formed by the first imaginary line N1 and the second imaginary line N2 may be 180 degrees or less, or 240 degrees or less.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the terminal block 660 was positioned at one end of the connecting member 600, but it is sufficient for it to be positioned in either direction in the circumferential direction.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the windings 320 were electrically connected to the 3-phase terminals of the terminal block 660 in a delta connection, but a star connection is also acceptable. There were 6 windings 320, but it is not limited to 6. The number of series connections must be 1 / 12 or more of the number of slots 460. The number of series connections of windings 320 was 5 times the number of parallel connections, but it can be any number as long as it is 1 or more. Also, in the above embodiment, there were 10 series and 2 parallel windings 320, but the number of series connections and parallel connections are arbitrary as long as the number of series connections of windings 320 is 1 or more of the number of parallel connections. Also, in the above embodiment, identical windings 320 are wound on any pair of adjacent teeth 420, but it is not limited to this. For example, three teeth 420 can be made into a set and identical windings 320 can be wound on them.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the relative positions of the rotor 200 and stator 300 of the electric motor 134 are such that the stator 300 is on the outside of the rotor 200, but the opposite may also be true. In that case, the teeth 420 of the stator core 400 are positioned on the outside of the stator core 400. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1: Ship 10: Hull 100: Electric propulsion system 134: Electric motor 200: Rotor 220: Permanent magnet 300: Stator 310: Resin part 320: Winding 350: Stator body 400: Stator core 410: Stator core body 420: Teeth 440: Tooth tip 460: Slot 480: Core projection 600: Connecting member 600A: End part 600B: End part 620: Busbar 630: Fusing 640: Connecting member body 642: Outer projection 660: Terminal block 700: Connecting projection 710: First inner part 720: Second inner part 730: Outer part 740: Connecting part 800: First tooth 820: First tooth tip 900: Second tooth 920: Second tooth tip C: Center N1: First imaginary line N2: Second imaginary line

Claims

1. A ship's electric propulsion system, A rotor having a rotating shaft, Stator core and The windings wound around the stator core, Motor control circuit and The motor control circuit has a conductor that electrically connects the winding and the motor control circuit, and comprises an arc-shaped connecting member that is aligned with the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, The angle between the first imaginary line connecting the rotation axis and one end of the connecting member and the second imaginary line connecting the rotation axis and the other end of the connecting member is 180 degrees or less. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

2. A ship's electric propulsion system according to claim 1, The connecting member has a terminal block, and the terminal block is positioned on one side with respect to the circumferential center of the connecting member. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

3. A ship's electric propulsion system according to claim 1 or claim 2, The number of slots formed in the stator core is 12 or more. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

4. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The number of series connections of the windings relative to the number of slots is 1 / 12 or more. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

5. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The ratio of the number of series connections of the windings to the number of parallel connections of the windings is greater than 1. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

6. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The aforementioned conductor is a busbar. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

7. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The connecting member has a first projection that is inserted between adjacent first teeth and second teeth arranged on the stator core. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

8. A ship's electric propulsion system according to claim 7, The first projection of the connecting member is positioned between the first teeth and the second teeth in the circumferential direction. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

9. A ship's electric propulsion system according to claim 7 or claim 8, The first projection of the connecting member is positioned in the radial direction of the rotation axis between at least one of the first teeth and the second teeth and the inner surface of the stator core between the base end of the first tooth and the base end of the second tooth. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

10. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, The first projection has a groove along the axial direction of the rotation axis. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

11. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The stator core has a second projection in the radial direction of the rotation axis, and the second projection is in contact with either one of the radial sides of the connecting member. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

12. A ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A stator having the stator core, the windings, and the connecting members is embedded in resin. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

13. A ship comprising a hull and a ship's electric propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, provided on the hull.

14. A ship's electric propulsion system, A rotor having a rotating shaft, Stator core and The windings wound around the stator core, Motor control circuit and A conductor is provided to electrically connect the winding and the motor control circuit, and an arc-shaped connecting member is provided along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, The connecting member has a terminal block, and the terminal block is positioned on one side with respect to the circumferential center of the connecting member, Equipped with, The angle between the first imaginary line connecting the rotation axis and one end of the connecting member and the second imaginary line connecting the rotation axis and the other end of the connecting member is 240 degrees or less. Electric propulsion machine for ships.

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