Electric Outboard Motor Partition Wall for Water-Ingress Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric outboard motors face challenges in effectively cooling electric components while preventing the ingress of outside water, such as sea water or rain water, without complicating the structure of air intake and discharge ports.
Innovation Solution
The motor is designed with a partition wall that separates the electric component accommodation room from the fan accommodation room, where external air is directed to cool the electric components via the partition wall, and the air intake and discharge ports are simplified without a labyrinth structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a labyrinth structure is employed for the external air intake port and external air discharge port to prevent water ingress, then water prevention reliability is improved, but the structure of the opening portion becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal space is segmented into a fan room and an electric component room by a partition wall. The opening portion is positioned only in the fan room wall, separating the water intake function from the electric component protection function. This segmentation allows the opening to remain simple while still preventing water from reaching the electric components.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the fan room (with the simple opening) and the electric component room. It prevents water that enters through the opening from reaching the electric components, thus maintaining water prevention reliability without complicating the opening structure.
2Temperature
If the electric component is cooled by air flowing directly over it, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two zones: the fan room where air intake and circulation occur, and the electric component room where components are protected from water. The partition wall creates this segmentation, allowing efficient cooling air flow in the fan room while protecting the electric component room from water ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall serves as a mediator that allows thermal coupling (heat transfer) between the fan room and electric component room while preventing water ingress. The electric component is mounted on the partition wall, enabling it to be cooled by air from the fan room without direct exposure to water.
3Productivity
If the opening portion is made large to improve air flow, then cooling performance is improved, but water ingress becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented so that the opening portion is located only in the fan room wall, not in the electric component room wall. This allows the opening to be made large for improved air flow and cooling performance while the partition wall prevents water from reaching the electric components, thus resolving the contradiction between air flow rate and water ingress prevention.
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 ensures reliable cooling of electric components while preventing water ingress, enhancing cooling efficiency and maintaining the structural simplicity of the air intake and discharge ports.
Implementation Method 1
a blower fan for cooling... air blowing is directed toward the partition wall
Implementation Method 2
the electric component is provided on a surface at a side of the electric component accommodation room... the electric component provided on the partition wall is cooled via the partition wall
Data Source
AI summary
An electric outboard motor includes: a propulsion portion; an electric component; a blower fan for cooling; an electric component accommodation room; a fan accommodation room; and a partition wall. The propulsion portion generates a propulsion force. The electric component includes a control portion of the propulsion portion. The electric component accommodation room accommodates the electric component therein. The fan accommodation room accommodates the blower fan therein and has an opening portion through which external air flows in and flows out. The partition wall partitions the electric component accommodation room and the fan accommodation room, and the electric component is provided on a surface at an electric component accommodation room side. The blower fan is arranged in the fan accommodation room such that air blowing is directed toward the partition wall.