Ship Propulsion Machine Vertical Motor Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ship propulsion machines with two motors and a power switching device become significantly larger, leading to increased water or air resistance, reduced attachment stability, and compromised appearance.
Innovation Solution
A ship propulsion machine design where two motors and a power switching device are arranged in the upper portion, with vertically extending motor shafts and a compact power switching device, allowing for mode switching between combined and single motor power modes without increasing the machine's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If two motors and a power switching device are provided in the lower portion of the outboard motor, then the output of the ship propulsion machine can be increased, but the lower portion becomes significantly larger, increasing water resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement to vertical arrangement of motor shafts, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint of the lower portion. The first and second motor shafts are arranged vertically with the power switching device positioned between them, allowing compact integration without increasing water resistance
2Power
If two motors and a power switching device are provided in the upper portion of the outboard motor, then the output can be increased, but the upper portion becomes significantly larger, increasing air resistance and reducing attachment stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first motor shaft, second motor shaft, and drive shaft into a coaxial arrangement, combining their functions within a shared spatial envelope. This integration allows the power switching device to connect the motor shafts without requiring additional lateral space, preventing increase in upper portion size
3Power
If two motors and a power switching device are provided, then the output and power consumption adjustment capability can be improved, but the device becomes significantly larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the power switching device is positioned between the first and second motors, and the motor shafts are arranged coaxially with the drive shaft. This nesting allows the switching device and multiple shafts to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, achieving dual motor functionality without proportional increase in overall machine size
Data Source
AI summary
A ship propulsion machine includes: a power unit; a propeller; and a drive shaft. The power unit includes: a first motor including a first motor shaft; a second motor including a second motor shaft; and a power switching device configured to switch a mode between a mode in which the first motor shaft and the second motor shaft are connected and a mode in which the first motor shaft and the second motor shaft are disconnected. The first motor and the second motor are arranged in an upper portion of the ship propulsion machine, the first motor shaft, the second motor shaft, and the drive shaft extend vertically, the second motor is arranged above the first motor, an upper portion of the drive shaft is connected to the first motor shaft, and the power switching device is arranged between the first motor and the second motor.