Ship propulsion machine and ship propulsion machine set

Abstract

To easily carry out attachment / detachment of a propulsion module to a vessel propulsion machine body.SOLUTION: An outboard engine set 1 includes an outboard engine body 11, a propeller type propulsion module 51, and a water jet type propulsion module 81, and is capable of selecting one of the propeller type propulsion module 51 or the water jet type propulsion module 81 and attaching it to the outboard engine body 11 to use it. The outboard engine body 11 includes an electric motor as a power source and a cooling device for cooling the electric motor, etc. The propeller type propulsion module 51 includes a drive shaft 52 and a propeller type propulsion device 54. The water jet type propulsion module 81 includes a drive shaft 82 and a water jet type propulsion device 84. The cooling device does not interfere with attachment / detachment of the outboard engine body 11 and the propulsion modules 51, 81 since almost all of component elements of the cooling device is provided on the outboard engine body 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ship propulsion machine and a ship propulsion machine set that can selectively attach and use a plurality of types of propulsion modules to the ship propulsion machine main body.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, the methods for generating the propulsion force of a ship include a propeller method using a propeller and a water jet method using a water jet propulsion device. Ship propulsion machines adopting the propeller method and those adopting the water jet method are both widely popular.

[0003] When comparing the propeller method and the water jet method, the propeller method is more advantageous in terms of improving propulsion efficiency. However, in a place with shallow water depth, the blades of the propeller may hit the bottom of the water and cannot be used in the propeller method. In this regard, in the water jet method, since the duct for generating the jet flow is located close to the water surface, it can be used even in a place with shallow water depth.

[0004] In addition, a ship propulsion machine is provided with an internal combustion engine or an electric motor as a power source. Such a power source generates heat during operation. Therefore, many ship propulsion machines are provided with a cooling device for cooling the power source.

[0005] Patent Document 1 below describes an outboard motor equipped with such a cooling device. The cooling device in the outboard motor described in Patent Document 1 includes a water jacket provided around an electric motor as a power source disposed above the water surface, a coolant pump provided in a lower case disposed below the water surface, and a coolant pipe connecting the water jacket and the coolant pump. Further, the lower case is provided with a water intake for taking in external water. In this cooling device, the coolant pump takes in external water as a coolant from the water intake and pumps this coolant to the water jacket via the coolant pipe. As this coolant flows through the water jacket, the electric motor is cooled. The coolant after cooling the electric motor is discharged to the outside.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By the way, in a marine propulsion unit, a propulsion module that generates the propulsion force of a ship using the power of a power source is made detachable from the marine propulsion unit main body that includes the power source, and as the propulsion module, a propeller-type propulsion module that adopts a propeller method and a water-jet-type propulsion module that adopts a water jet method are prepared, and if either the propeller-type propulsion module or the water-jet-type propulsion module can be selected and attached to the marine propulsion unit main body, the convenience of the marine propulsion unit can be improved. For example, the marine propulsion unit is usually used with a propeller-type propulsion module having high propulsion efficiency attached to the marine propulsion unit main body, and when navigating in a shoal, instead of the propeller-type propulsion module, it can be used with a water-jet-type propulsion module attached to the marine propulsion unit main body.

[0008] However, in a marine propulsion unit in which a coolant pump is provided in a lower case disposed underwater, as in the outboard motor described in Patent Document 1 above, when the propulsion module is configured to be detachable from the marine propulsion unit main body, there are the following problems.

[0009] In a marine propulsion unit adopting a propeller system, the part that generates the propulsion force of the ship using the power of the power source, that is, the propeller shaft and the propeller, etc., are provided in the lower case of the marine propulsion unit. Therefore, it is preferable that the entire lower case provided with the propeller shaft and the propeller be used as the propulsion module. In this way, by providing the marine propulsion unit with a structure for detachably attaching the entire lower case to the marine propulsion unit main body, the attachment and detachment of the propulsion module to and from the marine propulsion unit main body can be realized. However, when a coolant pump is provided in the lower case, when the lower case is separated from the marine propulsion unit main body, the coolant pipe connecting the water jacket provided on the marine propulsion unit main body side and the coolant pump provided on the lower case side will be disconnected. Therefore, when attaching the propulsion module separated from the marine propulsion unit main body to the marine propulsion unit main body, it is necessary to connect the coolant pipe on the marine propulsion unit main body side and the coolant pipe on the propulsion module side, and there is a risk that the attachment and detachment work of the propulsion module to and from the marine propulsion unit main body will become complicated.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, for example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a marine propulsion unit and a marine propulsion unit set that can easily attach and detach a propulsion module to and from a marine propulsion unit main body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the marine propulsion engine of the present invention includes a marine propulsion engine main body and a propulsion module that generates a propulsion force for a ship using the power generated by the marine propulsion engine main body. The marine propulsion engine main body includes a power source, a tank that stores a coolant for cooling the power source, a heat sink that cools the coolant, a coolant passage that connects between the power source and the heat sink so that the coolant circulates between the power source and the heat sink, a pump that flows the coolant in the coolant passage, a mount that supports the power source, the tank, and the pump, and a first accommodating portion that is disposed below the mount and accommodates the heat sink. The propulsion module includes a drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, and a propulsion device that is connected to the lower end side of the drive shaft and converts the rotation of the drive shaft into a propulsion force of the ship. The first accommodating portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which the drive shaft can be inserted and removed. A connection mechanism that separably connects the output shaft of the power source and the drive shaft is provided on the power source and the upper end side of the drive shaft. The first accommodating portion and the propulsion device are provided with an attachment mechanism that detachably attaches the propulsion module to the lower part of the first accommodating portion.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, a ship propulsion unit set of the present invention includes a ship propulsion unit main body, a propeller type propulsion module that generates a propulsion force of a ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion unit main body, and a water jet type propulsion module that generates a propulsion force of a ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion unit main body. The ship propulsion unit set is configured to select one of the propeller type propulsion module and the water jet type propulsion module and attach it to the ship propulsion unit main body for use. The ship propulsion unit main body includes a power source, a tank that stores a coolant for cooling the power source, a heat sink that cools the coolant, a coolant passage that connects between the power source and the heat sink so that the coolant circulates therebetween, a pump that flows the coolant in the coolant passage, a mount that supports the power source, the tank, and the pump, and a first accommodating portion that is disposed below the mount and accommodates the heat sink. The propeller type propulsion module includes a first drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, a gear mechanism connected to the lower end side of the first drive shaft, a propeller shaft connected to the gear mechanism, a propeller attached to the propeller shaft, and a second accommodating portion that accommodates the gear mechanism and the propeller shaft. The water jet type propulsion module includes a second drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, a duct, and an impeller provided in the duct that rotates by the rotation of the second drive shaft to generate a jet flow. The first accommodating portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft can be selectively inserted. The power source, the upper end side of the first drive shaft, and the upper end side of the second drive shaft are provided with a connection mechanism that can selectively connect the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to the output shaft of the power source. The first accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion, and the duct are provided with an attachment mechanism that can selectively attach the propeller type propulsion module and the water jet type propulsion module to the lower part of the first accommodating portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the attachment and detachment of the propulsion module to the ship propulsion machine main body can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] The ship propulsion machine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a ship propulsion machine main body and a propulsion module that generates a propulsion force of the ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion machine main body. The ship propulsion machine main body includes a power source, a tank for storing a coolant for cooling the power source, a heat sink for cooling the coolant, a coolant passage connecting between the power source and the heat sink so that the coolant circulates between the power source and the heat sink, a pump for flowing the coolant in the coolant passage, a mount for supporting the power source, the tank and the pump, and a first accommodating portion disposed below the mount and accommodating the heat sink. The propulsion module includes a drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, and a propulsion device having the lower end side of the drive shaft connected thereto and converting the rotation of the drive shaft into a propulsion force of the ship. The first accommodating portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion for insertably inserting the drive shaft. Further, a connection mechanism for separably connecting the output shaft of the power source and the drive shaft is provided on the power source and the upper end side of the drive shaft. Further, the first accommodating portion and the propulsion device are provided with an attachment mechanism for detachably attaching the propulsion module to the lower portion of the first accommodating portion.

[0016] In addition, the ship propulsion unit set according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a ship propulsion unit main body, a propeller type propulsion module that generates the propulsion force of the ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion unit main body, and a water jet type propulsion module that generates the propulsion force of the ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion unit main body. The ship propulsion unit set is used by selecting either one of the propeller type propulsion module and the water jet type propulsion module and attaching it to the ship propulsion unit main body. The ship propulsion unit main body includes a power source, a tank, a heat sink, a coolant passage, a pump, a mount, and a first accommodation part, similar to the ship propulsion unit main body of the ship propulsion unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The propeller type propulsion module includes a first drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, a gear mechanism connected to the lower end side of the first drive shaft, a propeller shaft connected to the gear mechanism, a propeller attached to the propeller shaft, and a second accommodation part that accommodates the gear mechanism and the propeller shaft. The water jet type propulsion module includes a second drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, a duct, and an impeller provided in the duct that rotates by the rotation of the second drive shaft to generate a jet flow. The first accommodation part is provided with a shaft insertion part into which the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft can be selectively inserted. In addition, a connection mechanism is provided on the power source, the upper end side of the first drive shaft, and the upper end side of the second drive shaft, which can selectively connect the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to the output shaft of the power source. Further, the first accommodation part, the second accommodation part, and the duct are provided with a mounting mechanism that can selectively mount the propeller type propulsion module and the water jet type propulsion module below the first accommodation part.

[0017] According to the ship propulsion machine or ship propulsion machine set of the embodiment of the present invention, a user can form a propeller-type ship propulsion machine by attaching a propeller-type propulsion module to the ship propulsion machine main body, and can also form a water jet-type ship propulsion machine by attaching a water jet-type propulsion module to the ship propulsion machine main body. For example, when the navigation area is a deep-water area, the user forms a propeller-type ship propulsion machine by attaching a propeller-type propulsion module to the ship propulsion machine main body, and attaches the propeller-type ship propulsion machine to the transom of the ship for navigation. Thereby, the user can navigate at a high speed relying on the high propulsion efficiency of the propeller-type propulsion device. On the other hand, when the navigation area is a shallow-water area, the user forms a water jet-type ship propulsion machine by attaching a water jet-type propulsion module to the ship propulsion machine main body instead of the propeller-type propulsion module, and attaches the water module-type ship propulsion machine to the transom of the ship for navigation. Thereby, the user can navigate even in a shallow-water area where the depth of water is so shallow that the blades of the propeller would hit the bottom when using a propeller-type propulsion device.

[0018] Moreover, according to the ship propulsion machine or ship propulsion machine set of the present embodiment, since all components of the cooling device are provided in the ship propulsion machine main body, the user can easily attach and detach the propulsion module to and from the ship propulsion machine main body. That is, by separating the propulsion module from the ship propulsion machine main body, the components of the cooling device are not divided into the ship propulsion machine main body side and the propulsion module side. Therefore, for example, when the user attaches the propulsion module separated from the ship propulsion machine main body to the ship propulsion machine main body, there is no need to perform complicated operations such as connecting the coolant pipe provided on the ship propulsion machine main body side and the coolant pipe provided on the propulsion module side.

Example

[0019] Hereinafter, an outboard motor which is an embodiment of the ship propulsion machine of the present invention, and an outboard motor set which is an embodiment of the ship propulsion machine set of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments, when describing the directions of front (Fd), rear (Bd), left (Ld), right (Rd), up (Ud), and down (Dd), follow the arrows drawn in the lower right of FIGS. 2 to 10.

[0020] (Outboard motor set) FIG. 1(A) shows an outboard motor set 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the outboard motor set 1 includes an outboard motor main body 11, a propeller type propulsion module 51 that generates a propulsion force for a ship using the power generated by the outboard motor main body 11, and a water jet type propulsion module 81 that generates a propulsion force for a ship using the power generated by the outboard motor main body 11.

[0021] The outboard motor main body 11 includes an electric motor 12 as a power source, and a cooling device (tank 32, heat sink 33, coolant passage 40, pump 48, etc.) for cooling the electric motor 12 and the like.

[0022] The propeller type propulsion module 51 includes a drive shaft 52 that rotates by the power of the electric motor 12, a propeller type propulsion device 54 that converts the rotation of the drive shaft 52 into a propulsion force for a ship using a propeller 57, and mounting bolts 79 for attaching the propeller type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11.

[0023] The water jet type propulsion module 81 includes a drive shaft 82 that rotates by the power of the electric motor 12, a water jet type propulsion device 84 that converts the rotation of the drive shaft 82 into a propulsion force for a ship using a duct 85 and an impeller 95, and mounting bolts 99 for attaching the water jet type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11.

[0024] FIG. 1(B) shows the usage mode of the outboard motor set 1. The outboard motor set 1 is used by selecting either the propeller type propulsion module 51 or the water jet type propulsion module 81 and attaching it to the outboard motor main body 11. As shown in FIG. 1(B), the user can form the propeller type outboard motor 2 by attaching the propeller type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11. Also, the user can form the water jet type outboard motor 3 by attaching the water jet type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11.

[0025] (Outboard motor main body) FIG. 2 shows a state where the outboard motor main body 11 with the propeller type propulsion module 51 attached is viewed from its left side. As shown in FIG. 2, the outboard motor main body 11 includes an electric motor 12, an inverter 15, and a cooling device 31.

[0026] The electric motor 12 is, for example, a brushless motor. The inverter 15 is a circuit that controls the drive of the electric motor 12. The cooling device 31 is a device that cools the electric motor 12 and the inverter 15.

[0027] Also, the outboard motor main body 11 includes a mount 16, a motor case 17, an inverter case 18, a drive shaft housing 19, and a heat sink case 21.

[0028] The mount 16 is a member that supports the electric motor 12, the inverter 15, and the tank 32 and the pump 48 in the cooling device 31, etc., and is arranged at the upper part of the outboard motor main body 11. The electric motor 12 is fixed on the mount 16. The motor case 17 is located above the mount 16, is attached to the mount 16, and covers the electric motor 12. The inverter 15 is arranged above the electric motor 12. The inverter case 18 is located above the motor case 17, is attached to the motor case 17, and covers the inverter 15. The tank 32 is attached to the rear part of the inverter case 18, and the pump 48 is attached to the rear part of the motor case 17.

[0029] The drive shaft housing 19 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The drive shaft housing 19 is disposed below the mount 16 and connected to the lower part of the mount 16. Inside the drive shaft housing 19, a shaft insertion portion 20 (see FIG. 7) into which the drive shaft 52 (or drive shaft 82) can be inserted is formed.

[0030] Also, the drive shaft housing 19 is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction by the swivel bracket 26. Further, the swivel bracket 26 is connected to the clamp bracket 27. The user can attach the outboard engine main body 11 to the ship by attaching the clamp bracket 27 to the transom of the ship. Also, since the drive shaft housing 19 is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction by the swivel bracket 26, the user can change the left - right direction orientation of the outboard engine main body 11 with respect to the ship.

[0031] The heat sink case 21 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The heat sink case 21 is disposed below the drive shaft housing 19 and connected to the lower part of the drive shaft housing 19. Inside the heat sink case 21, a shaft insertion portion 22 (see FIG. 7) into which the drive shaft 52 (or drive shaft 82) can be inserted is formed. The shaft insertion portion 22 communicates with the shaft insertion portion 20 of the drive shaft housing 19. Also, an anti - cavitation plate 28 is provided on the rear side of the lower part of the heat sink case 21. Note that the drive shaft housing 19 and the heat sink case 21 are specific examples of the "first housing portion".

[0032] (Cooling device) FIG. 3 schematically shows the cooling structure in the outboard motor main body 11. As described above, the outboard motor main body 11 includes a cooling device 31 for cooling the electric motor 12 and the inverter 15. The cooling device 31 includes a tank 32 for storing a coolant, a heat sink 33 for cooling the coolant, a coolant passage 40 that connects the inverter 15, the electric motor 12, and the heat sink 33 so that the coolant circulates through the inverter 15, the electric motor 12, and the heat sink 33, and a pump 48 for flowing the coolant in the coolant passage 40. The coolant is, for example, an antifreeze mainly composed of ethylene glycol.

[0033] The tank 32 is formed in a box shape, for example, by a resin material. An injection port for injecting the coolant is formed in the upper part of the tank 32. Further, a tank cap 32A for closing the injection port is detachably attached to the upper part of the tank 32. The pump 48 is disposed below the tank 32. The heat sink 33 is provided in the heat sink case 21.

[0034] The coolant passage 40 includes a transfer passage 41 for sending the coolant from the pump 48 to the inverter 15, an internal passage 42 for flowing the coolant around or inside the inverter 15 to cool the inverter 15, a transfer passage 43 for sending the coolant from the inverter 15 to the electric motor 12, an internal passage 44 for flowing the coolant around or inside the electric motor 12 to cool the electric motor 12, a coolant pipe 45 for sending the coolant from the electric motor 12 to the heat sink 33, a coolant pipe 46 for sending the coolant from the heat sink 33 to the pump 48, and a supply passage 47 for supplying the coolant from the tank 32 to the transfer passage 41 when the coolant is in a shortage state. The coolant passage 40 has a closed-loop structure as a whole, which consists of the transfer passage 41, the internal passage 42, the transfer passage 43, the internal passage 44, the coolant pipe 45, inside the heat sink 33, and the coolant pipe 46.

[0035] The transfer passages 41, 43 and the supply passage 47 are each formed, for example, by a pipe or a hose. The internal passage 42 is formed, for example, by a passage (water jacket) or the like formed in a wall portion forming the outer shell of the inverter 15. The internal passage 44 is formed, for example, by a passage (water jacket) or the like formed in a wall portion forming the outer shell of the electric motor 12. The coolant pipes 45, 46 are each, for example, a resin or metal pipe.

[0036] The coolant stored in the tank 32 flows into the transfer passage 41 or the like by gravity. When the pump 48 operates, the coolant circulates in the order of the transfer passage 41, the internal passage 42, the transfer passage 43, the internal passage 44, the coolant pipe 45, inside the heat sink 33, and the coolant pipe 46.

[0037] Further, the cooling device 31 has an air bleeding passage 49 for discharging the air in the coolant passage 40 to the outside of the coolant passage 40. One end side of the air bleeding passage 49 is connected, in the coolant passage 40, to a portion disposed at the highest position, for example, in the middle of the transfer passage 41. The other end side of the air bleeding passage 49 is connected to the upper part of the tank 32 and opens into a space above the water surface of the coolant stored in the tank 32 inside the tank 32. The air bleeding passage 49 is formed, for example, by a pipe or a hose. The air in the coolant passage 40 is discharged into the upper space in the tank 32 through the air bleeding passage 49.

[0038] (Coolant Pipe) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the swivel bracket 26, drive shaft housing 19, coolant pipes 45, 46, heat sink case 21, and heat sink 33 cut along the cutting line IV-IV in FIG. 2 as viewed from the front side (left side in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the coolant pipes 45, 46 are formed by long pipes extending in the vertical direction. The coolant pipes 45, 46 penetrate through the drive shaft housing 19. Inside the drive shaft housing 19, the coolant pipes 45, 46 are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction and are disposed in the rearward region inside the drive shaft housing 19.

[0039] (Heat sink) FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the heat sink case 21 and the heat sink 33 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the heat sink case 21 and the heat sink 33 cut along the cutting line VI-VI in FIG. 5 as viewed from the left side (right side in FIG. 5). Further, FIG. 6 shows a state where the drive shaft 52 is not inserted.

[0040] The heat sink 33 is housed inside the heat sink case 21. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat sink 33 is integrally formed with the heat sink case 21. The heat sink 33 and the heat sink case 21 are formed of a material having excellent heat dissipation properties such as aluminum, etc. Not only the heat sink 33 but also the heat sink case 21 has an excellent heat dissipation function. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the heat sink 33 is disposed in the rearward region inside the heat sink case 21.

[0041] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a cooling pipe 34 is provided inside the heat sink 33. The cooling pipe 34 is arranged in the left - right direction, and has a structure in which the lower ends of two pipes extending in the up - down direction are connected to each other, and is formed in a substantially U - shape as a whole. Further, a coolant inlet 34A is formed at one end of the cooling pipe 34, and a coolant outlet 34B is formed at the other end of the cooling pipe 34. Note that, for molding convenience, a hole 35 is formed in the lower part of the cooling pipe 34, and the hole 35 is liquid - tightly closed by a closing member 36 having a sealing function.

[0042] Further, the lower end of a coolant pipe 45 is connected to the coolant inlet 34A. Specifically, the lower end of the coolant pipe 45 is inserted into the coolant inlet 34A, and the space between the coolant inlet 34A and the lower end of the coolant pipe 45 is liquid - tightly sealed by a seal 37 such as an O - ring. Also, the lower end of a coolant pipe 46 is connected to the coolant outlet 34B. Specifically, the lower end of the coolant pipe 46 is inserted into the coolant outlet 34B, and the space between the coolant outlet 34B and the lower end of the coolant pipe 46 is liquid - tightly sealed by a seal 37 such as an O - ring.

[0043] The coolant passes through the inside of the coolant pipe 45 from the internal passage 44, flows into the cooling pipe 34 from the coolant inlet 34A. The coolant that has flowed into the cooling pipe 34 circulates inside the cooling pipe 34, flows out from the coolant outlet 34B, enters the coolant pipe 46, and reaches the pump 48 through the coolant pipe 46.

[0044] Further, the heat sink case 21 has a structure that allows water (such as seawater or lake water) around the ship to flow inside and cools the heat sink 33 with that water. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, inside the heat sink case 21, a circulation chamber 23, which is a space for water to flow, is formed between the heat sink 33 and the outer wall portion of the heat sink case 21.

[0045] Further, the lower part of the heat sink case 21 is blocked by the gear case 58 of the propeller type propulsion module 51 as a whole when the propeller type propulsion module 51 is attached to the heat sink case 21. However, a water intake passage 60 for taking water into the circulation chamber 23 of the heat sink case 21 is provided in the gear case 58. One end side of the water intake passage 60 is connected to a water intake port 59 opened at the front part of the gear case 58, and the other end side of the water intake passage 60 communicates with the inside of the circulation chamber 23.

[0046] In addition, discharge ports 24 for discharging the water that has flowed through the inside of the circulation chamber 23 to the outside of the circulation chamber 23 are respectively formed on the outer wall portions on both the left and right sides of the heat sink case 21. Each discharge port 24 is arranged at the upper part of the heat sink case 21.

[0047] When the ship is sailing, the pump 48 is operated. As a result, the coolant flows through the coolant passage 40 and circulates while passing through the inverter 15, the electric motor 12, and the heat sink 33 respectively. As a result, the inverter 15 and the electric motor 12 are cooled by the coolant. Further, since the water intake port 59 of the gear case 58 of the propeller type propulsion module 51 is submerged below the water surface, when the ship is sailing, the water around the ship is taken into the circulation chamber 23 through the water intake port 59 and the water intake passage 60, and after flowing through the circulation chamber 23, it is discharged from each discharge port 24 to the outside of the circulation chamber 23. When the water taken into the circulation chamber 23 hits the heat sink 33, the heat sink is cooled. In addition, the coolant that has received heat from the inverter 15 and the electric motor 12 is cooled by flowing through the cooling pipe 34 of the heat sink 33. Further, when the heat sink case 21 is submerged below the water surface, the heat sink case 21 and the heat sink 33 are cooled when water hits the outer surface of the heat sink case 21.

[0048] (Propeller type propulsion module) FIG. 7 shows a propeller type propulsion module 51 attached to the outboard engine main body 11. As described above, the propeller type propulsion module 51 includes a drive shaft 52, a propeller type propulsion device 54, and mounting bolts 79. In FIG. 7, the drive shaft 52 extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the electric motor 12. The propeller type propulsion device 54 includes a gear mechanism 55 to which the lower end side of the drive shaft 52 is connected, a propeller shaft 56 that extends in the front-rear direction and is connected to the gear mechanism 55, a propeller 57 attached to the rear end side portion of the propeller shaft 56, and a gear case 58 that houses the front end side portions of the gear mechanism 55 and the propeller shaft 56. The gear case 58 is provided with the water intake port 59 and the water intake passage 60 described above. Note that the gear case may be called a lower case. The drive shaft 52 is a specific example of the "first drive shaft", and the gear case 58 is a specific example of the "second housing portion".

[0049] The lower end side portion of the drive shaft 52 is rotatably mounted via a bearing 62 in a shaft mounting portion 61 provided in the gear case 58. Also, the space between the lower end side portion of the drive shaft 52 and the upper end side portion of the shaft mounting portion 61 is sealed by a seal 63.

[0050] Further, the propeller type propulsion module 51 is attached to the outboard engine main body 11 by attaching the upper part of the gear case 58 to the lower part of the heat sink case 21 of the outboard engine main body 11. Mounting mechanisms 71, 76 are respectively provided on the heat sink case 21 and the gear case 58 for detachably attaching the upper part of the gear case 58 to the lower part of the heat sink case 21. The mounting mechanism 71 on the heat sink case 21 side has bolt insertion holes 72, 74 respectively formed in the front part and the rear part of the lower part of the drive shaft housing 19, and bolt insertion holes 73, 75 respectively formed in the front part and the rear part of the heat sink case 21. The mounting mechanism 76 on the gear case 58 side has bolt holes 77, 78 respectively formed in the front part and the rear part of the upper part of the gear case 58. The gear case 58 is attached and fixed to the heat sink case 21 by inserting one of the two mounting bolts 79 into the bolt insertion holes 72 and 73 and fastening it to the bolt hole 77, and inserting the other mounting bolt 79 into the bolt insertion holes 74 and 75 and fastening it to the bolt hole 78.

[0051] Also, the drive shaft 52 mounted within the shaft mounting portion 61 of the gear case 58 is inserted into the shaft insertion portion 22 formed inside the heat sink case 21 and the shaft insertion portion 20 formed inside the drive shaft housing 19, and is disposed in a region approximately at the center in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction within the shaft insertion portions 22 and 20 (a position in front of the coolant pipes 45 and 46 and the heat sink 33). Further, the upper end portion of the drive shaft 52 is connected to the output shaft 13 of the electric motor 12. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the outboard motor main body 11, the electric motor 12, the motor case 17, etc., cut along a plane extending in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction including the axis of the output shaft 13 of the electric motor 12, as viewed from the left side. In FIG. 8, a connecting mechanism for separably connecting the output shaft 13 and the drive shaft 52 is provided at the lower end portion of the output shaft 13 of the electric motor 12 and the upper end portion of the drive shaft 52, respectively. That is, a spline 53 as a connecting mechanism on the drive shaft 52 side is formed at the upper end portion of the drive shaft 52. A spline hole 14 as a connecting mechanism on the output shaft side is formed at the lower end portion of the output shaft 13. By fitting the spline 53 of the drive shaft 52 into the spline hole 14 of the output shaft 13, the drive shaft 52 and the output shaft 13 are connected to each other. Thereby, the drive shaft 52 rotates as the output shaft 13 rotates.

[0052] The user can attach the propeller type propulsion module 51 to the outboard engine main body 11 as follows. First, the user inserts the drive shaft 52 supported by the gear case 58 from below the heat sink case 21 into the shaft insertion portion 22 of the heat sink case 21, and further advances the drive shaft 52 into the shaft insertion portion 20 of the drive shaft housing 19. Next, the user fits the spline 53 of the drive shaft 52 into the spline hole 14 of the output shaft 13 of the electric motor 12. Next, the user passes one of the two mounting bolts 79 through the bolt insertion holes 72 and 73 and fastens it to the bolt hole 77, and passes the other mounting bolt 79 through the bolt insertion holes 74 and 75 and fastens it to the bolt hole 78, thereby attaching the gear case 58 to the heat sink case 21.

[0053] Also, the user can remove the propeller type propulsion module 51 from the outboard engine main body 11 as follows. First, the user loosens the two mounting bolts 79 and removes them from the bolt holes 77 and 78. Next, the user slightly separates the propeller type propulsion module 51 from the outboard engine main body 11. As a result, the spline 53 of the drive shaft 52 comes out of the spline hole 14. Next, the user further separates the propeller type propulsion module 51 from the outboard engine main body 11 and pulls out the drive shaft 52 from the shaft insertion portions 22 and 20.

[0054] (Water jet type propulsion module) FIG. 9(A) shows a cross-section of the water jet type propulsion module 81 cut along a plane extending in the vertical and longitudinal directions including the axis of the drive shaft 82, as viewed from the left side. FIG. 9(B) shows the water jet type propulsion module 81 as viewed from below.

[0055] As described above, the water jet propulsion module 81 includes a drive shaft 82, a water jet propulsion device 84, and mounting bolts 99 (see Fig. 1(A)). In Figs. 9(A) and 9(B), the drive shaft 82 extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the electric motor 12. The water jet propulsion device 84 includes a duct 85, a duct support portion 89 that supports the duct 85, and an impeller 95 that is provided in the duct 85 and rotates by the rotation of the drive shaft 82 to generate a jet flow. Note that the drive shaft 82 is a specific example of the "second drive shaft".

[0056] The duct support portion 89 has, for example, a cylindrical outer shape and is integrally formed with the duct 85. The duct 85 is formed in a tubular shape. The duct 85 extends upward from below the duct support portion 89, and then extends in an arc around the duct support portion 89 in the clockwise direction when the duct 85 is viewed from below, and then extends rearward. Further, the lower end side portion of the duct 85 has an enlarged diameter, and a water inlet 86 is formed at the lower end portion of the duct 85. A drain port 87 is formed at the rear end portion of the duct 85. A return plate 88 is attached to the rear end side portion of the duct 85, and the return plate 88 covers above the drain port 87.

[0057] The duct support portion 89 is provided with a shaft mounting portion 92 that penetrates the center of the duct support portion 89 in the vertical direction. The lower end side portion of the drive shaft 82 is rotatably mounted in the shaft mounting portion 92 via a bearing 93. Also, between the lower end side portion of the drive shaft 52 and the upper end portion of the shaft mounting portion 92, and between the lower end side portion of the drive shaft 52 and the lower end portion of the shaft mounting portion 92 are sealed by seals 94, respectively.

[0058] The lower end of the shaft mounting portion 92 communicates with the inside of the duct 85. The lower end portion of the drive shaft 82 is disposed inside the duct 85, and an impeller 95 is attached to the lower end portion of the drive shaft 82.

[0059] In addition, the duct support portion 89 is provided with a water intake passage 91 that takes water into the circulation chamber 23 of the heat sink case 21. One end side of the water intake passage 91 is connected to a water intake port 90 that opens at the front portion of the duct support portion 89. Also, the other end side of the water intake passage 91 communicates with the inside of the circulation chamber 23 when the water jet type propulsion module 81 is attached to the outboard motor main body 11.

[0060] Further, the water jet type propulsion module 81 is attached to the outboard motor main body 11 by attaching the upper portion of the duct support portion 89 to the lower portion of the heat sink case 21 of the outboard motor main body 11. The duct support portion 89 is provided with a mounting mechanism 96 that can detachably attach the upper portion of the duct support portion 89 to the lower portion of the heat sink case 21. The mounting mechanism 96 has bolt holes 97 and 98 formed respectively at the front portion and the rear portion of the upper portion of the duct support portion 89. The mounting mechanism 96 has the same configuration as the mounting mechanism 76 in the propeller type propulsion module 51. That is, the number, arrangement, inner diameter, etc. of the bolt holes 97 and 98 in the mounting mechanism 96 are the same as the number, arrangement, inner diameter, etc. of the bolt holes 77 and 78 in the mounting mechanism 76 of the propeller type propulsion module 51. Also, the mounting bolts 99 used are the same as the mounting bolts 79 of the propeller type propulsion module 51. Further, the method of attaching the duct support portion 89 to the heat sink case 21 is the same as the method of attaching the gear case 58 of the propeller type propulsion module 51 to the heat sink case 21. That is, the duct support portion 89 is attached and fixed to the heat sink case 21 by inserting one of the two mounting bolts 99 into the bolt insertion holes 72 of the drive shaft housing 19 and the bolt insertion holes 73 of the heat sink case 21 and fastening it to the bolt hole 97, and inserting the other mounting bolt 99 into the bolt insertion holes 74 of the drive shaft housing 19 and the bolt insertion holes 75 of the heat sink case 21 and fastening it to the bolt hole 98.

[0061] Also, the drive shaft 82 mounted within the shaft mounting portion 92 of the duct support portion 89 is inserted, similar to the drive shaft 52 in the propeller-type propulsion module 51, into the shaft insertion portion 22 formed inside the heat sink case 21 and into the shaft insertion portion 20 formed inside the drive shaft housing 19. Further, the upper end portion of the drive shaft 82 is connected to the output shaft 13 of the electric motor 12. In the drive shaft 82, the length of the portion protruding upward from the duct support portion 89 is the same as the length of the portion protruding upward from the gear case 58 in the drive shaft 52 of the propeller-type propulsion module 51. Also, on the upper end portion of the drive shaft 82, the same spline 83 (see Fig. 1(A)) as the spline 53 formed on the upper end portion of the drive shaft 52 of the propeller-type propulsion module 51 is formed.

[0062] The user can attach the water jet-type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11 in the same manner as the method of attaching the propeller-type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11. Also, the user can remove the water jet-type propulsion module 81 from the outboard motor main body 11 in the same manner as the method of removing the propeller-type propulsion module 51 from the outboard motor main body 11.

[0063] As described above, according to the outboard motors 2, 3 or the outboard motor set 1 of the embodiments of the present invention, a user can form the propeller-type outboard motor 2 by attaching the propeller-type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11, and can also form the water jet-type outboard motor 3 by attaching the water jet-type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11. For example, when the area to navigate is a deep-water area, the user forms the propeller-type outboard motor 2 by attaching the propeller-type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11, and attaches the propeller-type outboard motor 2 to the transom of the ship to navigate. Thereby, the user can navigate at a high speed relying on the high propulsion efficiency of the propeller-type propulsion device 54. On the other hand, when the area to navigate is a shallow-water area, the user forms the water jet-type outboard motor 3 by attaching the water jet-type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11 instead of the propeller-type propulsion module 51, and attaches the water jet-type outboard motor 3 to the transom of the ship to navigate. Thereby, the user can navigate even in a shallow-water area where the depth of water is so shallow that the blades of the propeller would hit the bottom of the water when the propeller-type propulsion device 54 is used.

[0064] In addition, according to the outboard motors 2, 3 or the outboard motor set 1 of the present embodiment, since all components of the cooling device 31 except the water intake passage 60 and the water intake port 59 (or the water intake passage 91 and the water intake port 90) are provided in the outboard motor main body 11, the user can easily attach and detach the propulsion module 51 or 81 to / from the outboard motor main body 11. That is, by separating the propulsion module 51 or 81 from the outboard motor main body 11, the components of the cooling device 31 except the water intake passage 60 and the water intake port 59 (or the water intake passage 91 and the water intake port 90) are not separated into the outboard motor main body 11 side and the propulsion module 51 or 81 side. Therefore, for example, when the user attaches the propulsion module 51 or 81 separated from the outboard motor main body 11 to the outboard motor main body 11, there is no need to perform complicated operations such as carefully connecting the coolant pipe provided on the outboard motor main body side and the coolant pipe provided on the propulsion module 51 or 81 side while accurately aligning their positions with each other. Further, in the outboard motors 2, 3 or the outboard motor set 1 of the present embodiment, although the water intake passage 60 and the water intake port 59, which are components of the cooling device 31, are provided in the propeller type propulsion module 51, just by attaching the propeller type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11, the other end side of the water intake passage 60 communicates with the circulation chamber 23 in the heat sink case 21. Therefore, the fact that the water intake passage 60 and the water intake port 59 are provided in the propeller type propulsion module 51 does not complicate or make difficult the attachment operation of the propeller type propulsion module 51 to the outboard motor main body 11 by the user. Similarly, although the water intake passage 91 and the water intake port 90, which are components of the cooling device 31, are provided in the water jet type propulsion module 81, just by attaching the water jet type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11, the other end side of the water intake passage 91 communicates with the circulation chamber 23 in the heat sink case 21. Therefore, the fact that the water intake passage 91 and the water intake port 90 are provided in the water jet type propulsion module 81 does not complicate or make difficult the attachment operation of the water jet type propulsion module 81 to the outboard motor main body 11 by the user.

[0065] In addition, the outboard motor 2, 3 or outboard motor set 1 of this embodiment has a connection mechanism (spline hole 14, spline 53, spline 83) that detachably connects the output shaft 13 of the electric motor 12 and the drive shaft 52 or 82. Further, the outboard motor 2, 3 or outboard motor set 1 of this embodiment has attachment mechanisms 71, 76, 96 that detachably attach the propulsion module 51 or 81 to the lower part of the heat sink case 21 of the outboard motor main body 11. Furthermore, the outboard motor 2, 3 or outboard motor set 1 of this embodiment has shaft insertion parts 20, 22 into which the drive shaft 52 or 82 can be inserted and removed. With these configurations, the user can easily attach and detach the propulsion module 51 or 81 to and from the outboard motor main body 11.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the mounting mechanism 76 in the propeller-type propulsion module 51 and the mounting mechanism 96 in the water jet-type propulsion module 81 have the same configuration, and the mounting bolts 79 in the propeller-type propulsion module 51 and the mounting bolts 99 in the water jet-type propulsion module 81 are the same as each other. However, if it is possible to selectively attach the propeller-type propulsion module 51 and the water jet-type propulsion module 81 to the outboard engine main body 11, the mounting mechanisms of the two or the mounting bolts of the two may be different from each other. For example, the mounting mechanism 76 and the mounting bolts 79 of the propeller-type propulsion module 51 are as in the above-described embodiment, while as the mounting mechanism 96 of the water jet-type propulsion module 81, two bolt insertion holes penetrating the duct support portion 89 in the vertical direction are formed, and as the mounting bolts 99, bolts longer than the mounting bolts 79 of the propeller-type propulsion module 51 are adopted. When attaching the duct support portion 89 to the heat sink case 21, one of the two mounting bolts 99 is passed through the bolt insertion hole 72 of the drive shaft housing 19, the bolt insertion hole 73 of the heat sink case 21, and one bolt insertion hole of the duct support portion 89, and then a nut is tightened on the mounting bolt 99. The other mounting bolt 99 may be passed through the bolt insertion hole 74 of the drive shaft housing 19, the bolt insertion hole 75 of the heat sink case 21, and the other bolt insertion hole of the duct support portion 89, and then a nut is tightened on the mounting bolt 99.

[0067] Further, a water jet propulsion module 101 shown in FIG. 10 may be added to the propeller type propulsion module 51 and the water jet propulsion module 81 shown in FIG. 1, or either one of the propeller type propulsion module 51 and the water jet propulsion module 81 shown in FIG. 1 may be replaced with the water jet propulsion module 101 shown in FIG. 10. The water jet propulsion module 101 shown in FIG. 10 rotates by the power of the electric motor 12, similar to the water jet propulsion module 81 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a drive shaft 102 having a spline 103 formed at its upper end, a water jet propulsion device 104 that converts the rotation of the drive shaft 102 into the propulsion force of the ship using a duct 105 and an impeller 108, and mounting bolts 109 for attaching the water jet propulsion module 101 to the outboard engine body 11. However, the configuration of the duct 105 is different from the configuration of the duct 85 of the water jet propulsion module 81. Specifically, in the duct 85 of the water jet propulsion module 81, the water suction port 86 faces downward, but in the duct 105 of the water jet propulsion module 101, the water suction port 106 faces forward. The drain port 107 faces backward. According to the water jet propulsion module 101, since the water suction port 106 faces forward, it is possible to obtain a propulsion force for moving the ship backward by rotating the impeller 108 in the reverse direction to generate a reverse jet flow.

[0068] Further, another propulsion module having a different configuration may be added to the outboard engine set 1, or any one of the propulsion modules 51, 81, and 101 of the outboard engine set 1 may be replaced with a propulsion module having a different configuration.

[0069] Also, in the present invention, the connection mechanism for separably connecting the output shaft of the power source and the drive shaft is not limited to the spline hole and the spline described in the above embodiment, and for example, a gear attached to the output shaft of the power source and a gear attached to the upper end side of the drive shaft may be used.

[0070] In addition, the present invention can also be applied to an outboard motor using an internal combustion engine as a power source. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to outboard motors but also to other types of marine propulsion devices such as inboard and outboard motors.

[0071] In addition, the present invention can be appropriately modified within a range not contrary to the gist or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and marine propulsion devices and marine propulsion device sets involving such modifications are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0072] 1 Outboard motor set (marine propulsion device set) 2 Propeller type outboard motor (marine propulsion device) 3 Water jet type outboard motor (marine propulsion device) 11 Outboard motor main body (marine propulsion device main body) 12 Electric motor (power source) 14 Spline hole (connection mechanism) 16 Mount 19 Drive shaft housing (first housing part) 20 Shaft insertion part 21 Heat sink case (first housing part) 22 Shaft insertion part 31 Cooling device 32 Tank 33 Heat sink 40 Coolant passage 48 Pump 51 Propeller type propulsion module (propulsion module) 52 Drive shaft (first drive shaft) 53 Spline (connection mechanism) 54 Propeller type propulsion device (propulsion device) 55 Gear mechanism 56 Propeller shaft 57 Propeller 58 Gear case (second housing part) 71 Mounting mechanism 72, 73, 74, 75 Bolt insertion holes 76 Mounting mechanism Bolt holes 77 and 78 Mounting bolt 79 Water jet type propulsion modules (propulsion modules) 81 and 101 Drive shafts (second drive shafts) 82 and 102 Splines (connection mechanisms) 83 and 103 Water jet type propulsion devices (propulsion devices) 84 and 104 Ducts 85 and 105 Impellers 95 and 108 Mounting mechanism 96 Bolt holes 97 and 98 Mounting bolts 99 and 109

Claims

1. A ship propulsion machine body, and a propulsion module that generates a propulsion force of a ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion machine body, wherein the ship propulsion machine body includes a power source, a tank that stores a coolant for cooling the power source, a heat sink that cools the coolant, a coolant passage that connects between the power source and the heat sink so that the coolant circulates between the power source and the heat sink, a pump that flows the coolant in the coolant passage, a mount that supports the power source, the tank, and the pump, and a first accommodating portion that is disposed below the mount and houses the heat sink, wherein the propulsion module includes a drive shaft that extends in the vertical direction and rotates by the power of the power source, and a propulsion device that is connected to the lower end side of the drive shaft and converts the rotation of the drive shaft into the propulsion force of the ship, wherein the first accommodating portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which the drive shaft is insertable and removable, wherein a connection mechanism that separably connects the output shaft of the power source and the drive shaft is provided on the power source and the upper end side of the drive shaft, and wherein an attachment mechanism for detachably attaching the propulsion module to the lower part of the first accommodating portion is provided on the first accommodating portion and the propulsion device, a ship propulsion machine characterized by that.

2. The propulsion device includes a gear mechanism to which the lower end side of the drive shaft is connected, a propeller shaft connected to the gear mechanism, a propeller attached to the propeller shaft, and a second accommodating portion that houses the gear mechanism and the propeller shaft, a ship propulsion machine according to claim 1, characterized by that.

3. The propulsion device includes a duct, and an impeller that is provided in the duct and rotates by the rotation of the drive shaft to generate a jet flow, a ship propulsion machine according to claim 1, characterized by that.

4. A ship propulsion machine body, a propeller type propulsion module that generates a propulsion force of a ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion machine body, and a water jet type propulsion module that generates a propulsion force of a ship using the power generated by the ship propulsion machine body, a ship propulsion machine set that selects and attaches either the propeller type propulsion module or the water jet type propulsion module to the ship propulsion machine body for use, The ship propulsion machine body is a power source, a tank for storing a coolant that cools the power source, a heat sink for cooling the coolant, a coolant passage connecting between the power source and the heat sink so that the coolant circulates between the power source and the heat sink, a pump for flowing the coolant in the coolant passage, a mount for supporting the power source, the tank and the pump, and a first accommodating portion disposed below the mount and accommodating the heat sink. The propeller type propulsion module includes a first drive shaft extending in the vertical direction and rotated by the power of the power source, a gear mechanism connected to the lower end side of the first drive shaft, a propeller shaft connected to the gear mechanism, a propeller attached to the propeller shaft, and a second accommodating portion for accommodating the gear mechanism and the propeller shaft. The water jet type propulsion module includes a second drive shaft extending in the vertical direction and rotated by the power of the power source, a duct, and an impeller provided in the duct and rotated by the rotation of the second drive shaft to generate a jet flow. The first accommodating portion is provided with a shaft insertion portion into which the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft can be selectively inserted. A connection mechanism is provided on the power source, the upper end side of the first drive shaft, and the upper end side of the second drive shaft so that the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft can be selectively connected to the output shaft of the power source. The first accommodating portion, the second accommodating portion, and the duct are provided with a mounting mechanism for selectively mounting the propeller type propulsion module and the water jet type propulsion module below the first accommodating portion. A ship propulsion machine set is characterized by this.

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