Hybrid Vessel Propulsion Parallel Transmission Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vessel propulsion systems require significant modifications and additional components to integrate hybrid outboard motors, as the power transmission paths for both the engine and electric motor often share the same transmission path, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A vessel propulsion apparatus with independent parallel transmission paths for the engine and electric motor, where the electric motor is located forward of the propeller and the engine's power is transmitted through a first transmission path, and the electric motor's power is transmitted through a second path that does not overlap with the engine's, optimizing power transmission efficiency and reducing the need for additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the power transmission paths for the engine and electric motor are shared through the same transmission path, then the structure is simplified, but additional components such as drive force adjusting units or multi-disk clutches must be added, increasing device complexity and requiring significant modifications to existing propulsion systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power transmission system into two independent transmission paths: a first transmission path for the engine and a second transmission path for the electric motor. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for additional drive force adjusting units or multi-disk clutches, reducing device complexity while minimizing modifications to existing propulsion systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electric motor's power transmission path from the engine's transmission path, creating a separate second transmission path. This extraction eliminates the need for additional components that would be required if both power sources shared the same transmission path, thereby reducing device complexity without requiring significant modifications to existing systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If independent parallel transmission paths are used for the engine and electric motor, then the need for additional components is reduced, but the overall system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the second transmission path (for the electric motor) with the existing first transmission path (for the engine) at the propeller shaft connection point. This merging allows both power sources to drive the propeller through their respective independent paths without requiring separate output mechanisms, thereby reducing component requirements while maintaining a unified final drive structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The propeller shaft serves as a universal component that receives power from both the first transmission path (engine) and the second transmission path (electric motor). This multi-functionality allows the same component to handle power transmission from multiple sources, reducing the need for additional dedicated components while maintaining independent transmission paths.
3Volume of moving object
If the electric motor is integrated into the existing transmission path, then space utilization is improved, but power transmission efficiency decreases due to additional components and potential power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission paths to create an independent second transmission path for the electric motor, eliminating the need for additional drive force adjusting units or multi-disk clutches that would cause power loss. This segmentation maintains space efficiency while reducing power transmission losses by direct connection to the propeller shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, an electric motor located farther forward than a propeller, a propeller shaft, a first transmission that defines a first transmission path extending from the engine to the propeller shaft to transmit power of the engine to the propeller shaft along the first transmission path, and a second transmission that defines a second transmission path, different from the first transmission path, extending from the electric motor to the propeller shaft to transmit power of the electric motor to the propeller shaft along the second transmission path.