Hybrid Ship Propulsion Layout for Compact Power Source Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hybrid type ship propulsion machines are larger due to the inclusion of multiple large-sized devices such as engines, motors, inverters, and power switching mechanisms, making them bulkier compared to non-hybrid systems.

Innovation Solution

The engine is arranged vertically with a crank shaft axis in the upper-lower direction, the motor positioned below the engine with an output shaft in the front-rear direction, and the inverter placed behind the engine and between the motor, allowing for a compact arrangement of the engine drive shaft, motor drive shaft, and power switching mechanism, minimizing gaps between components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hybrid type ship propulsion machine includes an engine, motor, inverter, and power switching mechanism, then the power source can be switched between engine and motor, but the overall size of the propulsion machine increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source switching capabilityVSAvoidoverall size of propulsion machine

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vertical arrangement of components along the upper-lower direction rather than horizontal placement. The engine is positioned above the motor, with the inverter arranged between them in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows compact packaging of multiple large devices without increasing horizontal footprint, thus reducing overall volume while maintaining power switching capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The inverter is nested in the space between the engine and motor, utilizing the vertical gap between these two power sources. The power switching mechanism is arranged below the engine drive shaft, effectively nesting control components within the structural framework of the drive system. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and minimizes overall volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the engine, motor, inverter, and power switching mechanism are all arranged in a conventional horizontal layout, then each component can be accessed separately, but the propulsion machine becomes bulkier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidfootprint area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal to vertical arrangement of components. The engine is positioned in the upper portion, the motor in the lower portion, and the inverter between them along the vertical axis. This vertical stacking reduces the horizontal footprint area while maintaining component accessibility through vertical pathways and service access points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20260028111A1Ship propulsion machine

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A ship propulsion machine for propelling a ship, the ship propulsion machine includes a propeller, an engine configured to rotate the propeller, the engine serving as a first power source, a motor configured to rotate the propeller, the motor serving as a second power source, an inverter configured to control driving of the motor, an engine drive shaft connected to a crank shaft of the engine, a motor drive shaft connected to an output shaft of the motor, a transmission shaft connected to a propeller shaft provided with the propeller, and a power switching mechanism configured to switch a connection mode of the engine drive shaft, the motor drive shaft, and the transmission shaft to switch a power source for rotating the propeller between the engine and the motor.