Vessel Propulsion Housing Segmentation for Gear Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vessel propulsion apparatuses face challenges due to the restricted size of the housing space for the planetary gear train and other components, which increases water resistance and deteriorates traveling performance when trying to increase the size of the housing to accommodate larger components.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes separate housings for the bevel gear and propeller shaft, allowing for a larger space for the planetary gear train without increasing the size of the lower case, by using a front housing to support the bevel gear and a rear housing to support the propeller shaft, enabling a more spacious design without altering the lower case's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the housing size is increased to accommodate larger planetary gear train and components, then the space for transmitting mechanism is improved, but the water resistance increases and traveling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a front housing and a rear housing that are coupled together. The front housing accommodates the bevel gear and front bearing, while the rear housing accommodates the planetary gear train. This segmentation allows each housing to be optimized independently, enabling the rear housing to have sufficient space for the planetary gear train without requiring the overall housing diameter to increase, thus avoiding increased water resistance.
2Force
If the bearing outside diameter is increased to support larger bevel gear, then the load capacity is improved, but the housing inside diameter must be increased which increases water resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into front and rear sections. The front housing contains the bevel gear and front bearing, allowing the bearing to have sufficient outside diameter for supporting the bevel gear load. The rear housing contains the planetary gear train and has its own independent space requirements. This segmentation decouples the size constraints, allowing the bearing in the front housing to be sized appropriately for its function without forcing an increase in the overall housing diameter that would increase water resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a prime mover, a drive shaft, a pinion, a rear gear, a propeller shaft, a front bearing, a cylindrical front housing, and a cylindrical rear housing. The front housing surrounds the front bearing about a propeller axis and supports the rear gear via the front bearing in a manner rotatable about the propeller axis. The rear housing is disposed behind the front housing. The front housing surrounds the propeller shaft about the propeller axis and supports the propeller shaft at a position more rearward than the rear gear in a manner rotatable about the propeller axis.