Water-Surface Propulsion Steering Gears for Lower Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propulsion devices for water-surface movable bodies have a high overall height due to the alignment of the steering deceleration mechanism with the steering motor in the up-and-down direction, making it difficult to meet the demand for reducing the top height and improving energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion device with a steering deceleration mechanism composed of a gear train with parallel shafts, where at least one deceleration gear is arranged higher than the output shaft gear, and the steering motor is positioned within the lateral dimension of the ring gear, improving lateral weight balance and reducing the overall height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the steering deceleration mechanism is aligned with the steering motor in the up-and-down direction, then the steering function is achieved, but the overall height of the propulsion device becomes great
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement of the steering deceleration mechanism from a vertical alignment (up-and-down direction) to a horizontal arrangement (lateral direction). The gear shafts are positioned laterally adjacent to the steering motor output shaft, and the ring gear is arranged coaxially with the turning axis in a lateral plane, thereby reducing the overall height while maintaining steering functionality.
2Productivity
If the steering deceleration mechanism is composed of a planetary gear mechanism aligned with the steering motor, then the steering deceleration is achieved, but the top of the propulsion device cannot be lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the steering deceleration mechanism by arranging gear shafts laterally rather than vertically. The ring gear is positioned in a lateral plane with its center on the turning axis, allowing the deceleration mechanism to achieve the required gear ratio without extending the vertical profile, thus enabling the top of the propulsion device to be lowered.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering deceleration mechanism is divided into multiple gear stages with gear shafts positioned at different lateral locations. The output shaft gear, ring gear, and intermediate deceleration gears are segmented and arranged in a lateral sequence, allowing the deceleration function to be distributed across multiple components without increasing vertical height.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering motor is positioned outside the lateral dimension of the ring gear, then the steering motor can be accommodated, but the lateral dimension of the propulsion device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the steering motor such that its lateral dimension is contained within the lateral dimension of the ring gear. The output shaft of the steering motor is arranged coaxially with the ring gear, and the gear shafts are positioned within the lateral boundary defined by the ring gear, effectively nesting the motor and deceleration mechanism within the ring gear's lateral envelope to minimize the overall lateral footprint.
Data Source
AI summary
A propulsion device for a water-surface movable body includes an upper case, a propulsion motor accommodated in the upper case, a lower case supported by the upper case so as to turn around a turning axis, a propulsor supported by the lower case, a steering motor accommodated in the upper case, and a steering deceleration mechanism configured to decelerate rotation of the steering motor. The steering deceleration mechanism includes a gear shaft arranged in parallel with an output shaft of the steering motor, an output shaft gear arranged coaxially with the output shaft of the steering motor, a ring gear arranged coaxially with the turning axis, and deceleration gears interposed between the output shaft gear and the ring gear. At least one of the deceleration gears is arranged higher than the output shaft gear in a state where the turning axis extends in a vertical direction.