Electric Outboard Motor Inverter Stacking for Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric outboard motors with AC motors face issues of increased moment of inertia due to heavy control units and batteries being offset from the center, leading to difficult steering operations and potential cable damage from exposed wiring.
Innovation Solution
The electric outboard motor design separates the AC motor and inverter, stacking them along the axial direction of the AC motor's rotation output axis, with the inverter positioned within the motor's outline, reducing the moment of inertia and minimizing cable exposure to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control unit and battery are arranged at positions away from the center of steering, then the electrical connection between battery and inverter is achieved, but the moment of inertia around the steering shaft increases making steering operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter is positioned in the axial direction of the AC motor rather than radially offset, utilizing the longitudinal space of the motor assembly. This dimensional repositioning allows electrical connection components to be placed away from the steering axis center while maintaining compact overall dimensions and reducing steering moment of inertia.
2Reliability
If the control unit is arranged on the front side of the motor, then the electrical connection is established, but the control unit projects inside of the ship compressing the space
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter is positioned within the outline of the AC motor in axial view, nesting the electrical connection component inside the motor's spatial envelope. This nesting arrangement eliminates additional space projection into the ship interior while maintaining all necessary electrical connection functions.
3Reliability
If wires or cables are routed in the outboard motor, then the electrical connection between battery and inverter is achieved, but the wires or cables may be touched by ship operator or foreign matter causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter is extracted as a separate component from the motor assembly, positioned in the axial direction with minimal cable routing required. This separation reduces the length and exposure of power cables within the motor housing, minimizing opportunities for operator contact or foreign matter intrusion that could cause cable damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances steering operability by reducing the power required for steering and prevents cable damage, while maintaining efficient space utilization on the ship.
Implementation Method 1
an inverter that converts a direct current to an alternating current to supply the alternating current to the AC motor
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an electric outboard motor that includes a drive motor, which is an AC motor, as a drive source. The electric outboard motor includes: an outboard motor main body that includes the drive motor and an inverter that converters a direct current to an alternating current to supply the alternating current to the drive motor; a control/power supply unit that is formed separately from the outboard motor main body and that can supply the direct current to the inverter; and a connection cable that electrically connects the outboard motor main body and the control/power supply unit. The inverter and the drive motor are stacked and arranged in an axial direction of a rotation output axis of the drive motor. Part of the inverter falls within an outline of the drive motor in a view in the axial direction of the rotation output axis of the drive motor.