JP2007153240A - Outboard motor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outboard motor reducing noise caused by the operation of a driving source. <P>SOLUTION: In a hybrid outboard motor 10 fitted to a vessel 20 and having the driving source, which is structured of an internal combustion engine (engine 24) and an electric motor 26, freely to be connected to a propeller 32, an outboard motor body 12 including at least the driving sources (the engine 24 and the electric motor 26) and the propeller 32 is arranged underwater, and while the outboard motor body 12 is fixed to the vessel 20 through an extension pipe 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an outboard motor, and more particularly to a hybrid outboard motor in which a drive source including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor can be freely connected to a propeller.

Conventionally, various hybrid outboard motors in which a drive source including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor can be freely connected to a propeller have been proposed. The drive source of the hybrid type outboard motor is usually positioned above the water surface as described in Patent Document 1.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-158493 (FIG. 4 etc.)

  However, the drive source, particularly the internal combustion engine, has a problem that relatively large noise is generated during operation.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an outboard motor that solves the above-described problems and that reduces noise caused by operation of a drive source.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned object, according to claim 1, in a hybrid type outboard motor which is attached to a hull and a drive source comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric motor is freely connectable to a propeller, at least the drive The outboard motor main body including the power source and the propeller is disposed in water, and the outboard motor main body is fixed to the hull via an extension pipe.

  In the outboard motor according to the second aspect, the output shaft of the internal combustion engine and the output shaft of the electric motor are arranged on the same axis as the propeller shaft of the propeller.

  In the outboard motor according to a third aspect of the present invention, a fuel tank that stores fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine is arranged above the extension pipe.

  In the outboard motor according to claim 4, the extension pipe is formed to be hollow inside, and to an intake passage of the internal combustion engine and a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine. At least one of a fuel pipe to be connected, a throttle cable connected to a throttle valve of the internal combustion engine, and an electric signal line connected to the electric motor is arranged inside the extension pipe. Configured.

  In the outboard motor according to the fifth aspect, the output shaft of the internal combustion engine can be connected to the propeller via a clutch including an electromagnetic clutch or a centrifugal clutch.

  In the outboard motor according to claim 1, the outboard motor main body including at least a drive source including an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and a propeller is disposed in water, and the outboard motor main body is connected to the hull via an extension pipe. Since it is configured to be fixed, the operating sound of the drive source is transmitted into the water, and the noise generated with the operation of the drive source, particularly the internal combustion engine, can be greatly reduced.

  In the outboard motor according to claim 2, since the output shaft (crankshaft) of the internal combustion engine and the output shaft of the electric motor are arranged on the same axis as the propeller shaft of the propeller, the above-described effect is obtained. In addition, the output (rotational output) of the drive source can be efficiently transmitted to the propeller.

  That is, in an outboard motor in which the drive source is positioned above the water surface as in the prior art, the output shaft of the drive source (specifically, the output shaft of the internal combustion engine and the output shaft of the electric motor) While the outboard motor is mounted on the hull, the propeller shafts of the propellers are arranged in the horizontal direction, and are connected via bevel gears. In other words, the rotation output around the gravity axis of the drive source is configured to be converted into rotation around the horizontal axis by the bevel gear, resulting in energy loss. However, by configuring as described above, a bevel gear for changing the output direction can be made unnecessary, and the energy loss does not occur. Therefore, the output of the drive source can be efficiently transmitted to the propeller, and as a result, power performance and fuel consumption can be improved.

  In the outboard motor according to claim 3, the fuel tank of the internal combustion engine is disposed above the extension pipe (specifically, on the upper water surface in the direction of gravity), that is, in the internal combustion engine disposed in water. Since the fuel tank is arranged on the water surface, in addition to the above-described effects, the operator (or mechanic) can easily refuel the fuel tank.

  In the outboard motor according to claim 4, the extension pipe is formed to be hollow inside, and the inside of the electric signal line connected to the intake passage, the fuel pipe, the throttle cable, and the electric motor of the internal combustion engine. In addition to the effects described above, for example, the intake passage and the fuel pipe are collectively arranged inside the extension pipe to make them compact. It can be accommodated and the space occupied by the outboard motor can be reduced.

  In the outboard motor according to the fifth aspect, the output shaft of the internal combustion engine is configured to be freely connectable to the propeller via a clutch including an electromagnetic clutch or a centrifugal clutch. And the output of the electric motor can be selectively transmitted to the propeller. Further, when the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed (for example, idle rotational speed), the connection between the internal combustion engine and the propeller can be disconnected, and an unnecessary (waste) load is generated from the internal combustion engine to the drive shaft of the propeller. It can prevent acting on (propeller shaft).

  The best mode for carrying out an outboard motor according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an outboard motor according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the outboard motor shown in FIG.

  1 and 2, reference numeral 10 indicates an outboard motor. The outboard motor 10 includes an outboard motor body 12 including an internal combustion engine (drive source; hereinafter referred to as “engine”) and an electric motor (drive source), a fuel tank 14 connected to the engine, and an outboard motor body. 12 and an extension pipe 16 inserted between the fuel tank 14 and a bar handle (tiller) 18 connected to the extension pipe 16. Specifically, the electric motor is a generator motor as will be described later.

  Hereinafter, each configuration of the above-described outboard motor 10 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outboard motor main body 12 is in a lower position in the direction of gravity of the outboard motor 10, more precisely, a position that becomes underwater when the outboard motor 10 is attached to the hull (hull) 20. (That is, the position below the water surface). 1 and 2, the symbol W indicates seawater or fresh water.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the outboard motor main body 12 shown in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the outboard motor main body 12 shown in FIG.

  The outboard motor main body 12 is disposed behind the engine 24, the electric motor 26, the watertight (airtight) container 30 that houses the engine 24, the electric motor 26, and the like, and the watertight container 30. A propeller 32 which is rotated by at least one of the propellers and propels the hull 20. In this specification, when viewed from the outboard motor 10, the cockpit side (that is, the traveling direction) of the hull 20 is defined as “front”, and vice versa.

  The engine 24 is, for example, a single-cylinder spark ignition type gasoline engine having a displacement of about 50 cc, and generates an output of 1.5 kW (about 2 PS). The engine 24 is disposed in a direction in which the crankshaft (output shaft) 34 is orthogonal to the direction of gravity, that is, in the horizontal direction.

  The engine 24 includes an intake pipe 36 and an air filter (not shown) is provided near the inlet of the intake pipe 36. A throttle body (shown in FIG. 4) 38 is disposed downstream of the air filter, and a throttle valve (not shown) is accommodated in the throttle body 38. A throttle cable (push-pull cable) 40 is connected to the throttle valve.

  A carburetor assembly (not visible in FIG. 4) is provided upstream of the throttle valve. A fuel pipe 44 is connected to the carburetor assembly, and the fuel pipe 44 communicates with the inside of the fuel tank 14. The engine 24 further includes an exhaust pipe 46. The exhaust pipe 46 is positioned above the engine 24 and protrudes toward the rear of the outboard motor main body 12 as shown in FIGS. .

  An electric motor 26 is disposed behind the engine 24 in the outboard motor main body 12. The electric motor 26 includes a stator 26a, an output shaft 26b that transmits an output (rotational output) of at least one of the engine 24 and the electric motor 26 to the propeller 32, and a rotor 26c that is integrally attached to the outer periphery of the output shaft 26b. This is a DC brushless motor, and a voltage is supplied from a battery (shown only in FIG. 1) 50 arranged on the hull 20 via an electric signal line 52 to generate an output of several hundred watts. As shown in the figure, the output shaft 26b of the electric motor 26 is arranged in a direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and is arranged coaxially with the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24.

  A propeller shaft (not visible in FIG. 4) 54 is coaxially connected to the rear end of the output shaft 26 b of the electric motor 26. The propeller shaft 54 is supported and accommodated in the watertight container 30 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. Further, in the propeller shaft 54, the end opposite to the end connected to the output shaft 26b, that is, the rear end of the propeller shaft 54 is projected rearward from the watertight container 30, and the propeller described above is provided there. 32 is attached. Accordingly, the rotation output from the output shaft 26b is transmitted to the propeller 32 via the propeller shaft 54, and the propeller 32 is rotated.

  Further, an electromagnetic clutch (clutch) 60 is disposed between the engine 24 and the electric motor 26. Specifically, the rear end of the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24 and the front end of the output shaft 26 b of the electric motor 26 are connected via an electromagnetic clutch 60.

  The electromagnetic clutch 60 is configured to connect (couple) the crankshaft 34 to the output shaft 26b when energized, and to disconnect the connection between the crankshaft 34 and the output shaft 26b when energized. Thus, the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24 can be connected to the output shaft 26 b of the electric motor 26 via the electromagnetic clutch 60, in other words, can be connected to the propeller 32.

  Therefore, when the electric motor 26 is energized when the engine 24 is started and the crankshaft 34 and the output shaft 26b are connected by the electromagnetic clutch 60, the crankshaft 34 is rotated. That is, the electric motor 26 acts as a starter motor, and cranks and starts the engine 24.

  Further, the electromagnetic clutch 60 is configured to be de-energized when the engine 24 is below a predetermined rotational speed (for example, idle rotational speed (2000 rpm)), and energized when the predetermined rotational speed is exceeded. Thereby, when the engine 24 is below the predetermined rotation speed, the connection between the engine 24 and the propeller 32 is disconnected by the electromagnetic clutch 60, and the propeller 32 is driven (rotated) only by the electric motor 26.

  Further, when the crankshaft 34 and the output shaft 26b are connected by the electromagnetic clutch 60, the electric motor 26 idles with the rotation of the engine 24, and the kinetic energy generated thereby is converted into electric energy. The electric motor 26 has a regenerative function for conversion and output, that is, the electric motor 26 functions as a generator, and charges the battery 50 and the like.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the extension pipe 16 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the inside thereof is formed hollow, and the space 62 is formed therein. The extension pipe 16 is arranged in parallel to the direction of gravity, and a rear part (transom) 68 of the hull 20 through two stern brackets 66 (only one is shown in FIG. 1) 66 provided with a screw-type clamp mechanism 64. Attached to and fixed.

  A vent hole (shown only in FIG. 1) 70 is formed at an appropriate position on the upper end of the extension pipe 16. Further, the lower end of the extension pipe 16 is connected and fixed to the watertight container 30, and the intake pipe 36 of the engine 24 is connected to the vicinity of the connection portion. As a result, the intake pipe 36 communicates with the atmosphere via the extension pipe 16 and the vent hole 70, that is, the interior (space 62) of the extension pipe 16 constitutes the intake passage of the engine 24. Further, inside the extension pipe 16, the throttle cable 40, the fuel pipe 44, and the electric signal line 52 are arranged (accommodated).

  A fuel tank 14 is disposed and fixed above the extension pipe 16 in the direction of gravity. The fuel tank 14 stores fuel (gasoline fuel) 72 to be supplied to the engine 24. A fuel supply port 74 is formed in the upper surface of the fuel tank 14, and the fuel supply port 74 is sealed with a cap 76.

  At an appropriate position of the extension pipe 16, the bar handle 18 can be freely operated by the operator with its tip projecting forward, that is, toward the cockpit of the hull 20. Since the extension pipe 16 is supported by the stern bracket 66 so as to be rotatable about the gravity direction axis, the ship operator steers (operates) the outboard motor 10 left and right by operating the bar handle 18 in the left and right direction. Can do.

  A throttle grip 80 is provided at the tip of the bar handle 18. The throttle grip 80 can be freely rotated by a ship operator, and a rotation angle sensor (volume sensor) 82 is disposed in the vicinity thereof. The rotation angle sensor 82 outputs a signal corresponding to the rotation angle (operation amount) of the throttle grip 80 to an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “ECU”) 84 composed of a microcomputer.

  The ECU 84 is connected to the electric motor 26 via the electric signal line 52. Therefore, the ECU 84 controls the operation of the electric motor 26 according to the signal input from the rotation angle sensor 82 and adjusts the boat speed of the hull 20. There are a plurality of electric signal lines 52 connected to the electric motor 26 and the like, such as an electric signal line connecting the electric motor 26 and the battery 50, or an electric signal line connecting the electric motor 26 and the ECU 84. For the sake of simplification and convenience of understanding, this is indicated by a single line and unified by reference numeral 52.

  The throttle grip 80 is also connected to the throttle valve of the engine 24 via the throttle cable 40 described above. Thus, when the throttle grip 80 is operated by the operator, the throttle valve is opened and closed, the engine speed is adjusted, and the boat speed of the hull 20 is adjusted.

  More specifically, when the throttle grip 80 is operated, the throttle valve opens and closes, and the intake air of the engine 24 that has flowed into the intake pipe 38 through the vent hole 70 and the extension pipe 16 as shown by the arrows in the figure. Is metered. The carburetor assembly generates an air-fuel mixture by injecting gasoline fuel into the intake air in accordance with the opening of the throttle valve. The generated air-fuel mixture flows into the combustion chamber 90 of the cylinder 88 through the throttle valve, the intake pipe 36 and the intake valve 86, and is ignited and burned. Exhaust gas generated by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture passes through the exhaust valve 92, the muffler 94 and the exhaust pipe 46 and is discharged into the water.

  Further, in the vicinity of the throttle grip 80, a mode switch 92 is provided for the ship operator to input instructions such as starting or stopping of the drive source (the engine 24 and the electric motor 26) and charging of the battery 50. The mode switch 92 outputs a signal corresponding to the input start or stop instruction to the ECU 84 described above. The ECU 84 is also connected to the electromagnetic clutch 60 via the electric signal line 52. Accordingly, the ECU 84 controls operations of the electric motor 26 and the electromagnetic clutch 60 according to the input signal.

  As described above, the outboard motor 10 is attached to the hull 20 and is of a hybrid type in which a drive source including the engine 24 and the electric motor 26 is freely connectable to the propeller 32, and is of a relatively small type. In this specification, the “outboard motor main body 12” means a drive source composed of the engine 24 and the electric motor 26 and a drive source unit such as the propeller 32. Of these, it means a portion excluding the fuel tank 14 and the bar handle 18 as an operation unit.

  As described above, in the outboard motor 10 according to the first embodiment, the outboard motor main body 12 including at least the drive source including the engine 24 and the electric motor 26 and the propeller 32 is disposed in the water, and the outboard motor. Since the main body 12 is configured to be fixed to the hull 20 via the extension pipe 16, the operation sound of the drive source is transmitted to the water, and the noise generated by the operation of the drive source, particularly the engine 24, is greatly reduced. can do.

  Further, since the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24 and the output shaft 26b of the electric motor 26 are arranged on the same axis as the propeller shaft 54 of the propeller 32, the output (rotational output) of the engine 24 and the electric motor 26 is obtained. It can be transmitted to the propeller 32 efficiently.

  That is, in an outboard motor in which the drive source is positioned above the water surface as in the prior art, the output shaft of the drive source (specifically, the engine crankshaft and the output shaft of the electric motor) While the outboard motor is mounted on the hull, the propeller shaft of the propeller is disposed in the horizontal direction while being connected in parallel to the direction of gravity, and they are connected via a bevel gear. In other words, the rotation output around the gravity axis of the drive source is configured to be converted into rotation around the horizontal axis by the bevel gear, resulting in energy loss. However, by configuring as described above, a bevel gear for changing the output direction can be made unnecessary, and the energy loss does not occur. Therefore, the outputs of the engine 24 and the electric motor 26 can be efficiently transmitted to the propeller 32, and as a result, the power performance and fuel consumption can be improved.

  Further, the fuel tank 14 of the engine 24 is arranged on the upper part of the extension pipe 16 (specifically, on the upper water surface in the direction of gravity), that is, in the engine 24 arranged in water, the fuel tank 14 is arranged on the water surface. Thus, the ship operator (or maintenance person) can easily supply fuel to the fuel tank 14.

  The extension pipe 16 has a hollow inside, and a space 62 is formed therein. The extension pipe 16 also has an electric signal line 52 connected to the intake passage of the engine 24, the fuel pipe 44, the throttle cable 40, and the electric motor 26. Are arranged together in the extension pipe 16 (space 62), so that the intake passage, the fuel pipe 44 and the like can be accommodated in the extension pipe 16 in a compact manner, and the space occupied by the outboard motor 10 can be reduced. Can be reduced.

  Further, since the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24 is configured to be freely connectable to the propeller 32 via the electromagnetic clutch 60, either the output of the engine 24 or the output of the electric motor 26 is selectively transmitted to the propeller 32. be able to. Further, when the rotational speed of the engine 24 is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed (for example, idle rotational speed), the connection between the engine 24 and the propeller 32 can be disconnected, and an unnecessary (waste) load is generated from the engine 24 to the propeller 32. It can prevent acting on the drive shaft (propeller shaft 54).

  Next, an outboard motor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the outboard motor main body 12 of the outboard motor according to the second embodiment in an enlarged manner.

  Hereinafter, an outboard motor according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5 with a focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  In the outboard motor according to the second embodiment, the outboard motor main body 12 is configured to include a centrifugal clutch 100 instead of the electromagnetic clutch 60 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24 and the output shaft 26 b of the electric motor 26 are connected via the centrifugal clutch 100. A clutch spring (not shown) of the centrifugal clutch 100 connects (couples) the crankshaft 34 to the output shaft 26b when the engine 24 is rotated beyond a predetermined rotational speed (for example, an idle rotational speed (2000 rpm)). It is set to such a characteristic.

  As described above, in the outboard motor 10 according to the second embodiment, the crankshaft 34 of the engine 24 is configured to be freely connectable to the propeller 32 via the centrifugal clutch 90. Similarly, when the rotational speed of the engine 24 is equal to or lower than a predetermined rotational speed (for example, idle rotational speed), the connection between the engine 24 and the propeller 32 can be disconnected, and an unnecessary load is generated from the engine 24 to the drive shaft (propeller). Acting on the shaft 54) can be prevented.

  The remaining configuration and effects are the same as in the first embodiment.

  As described above, in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the hybrid type is attached to the hull 20 and the drive source composed of the internal combustion engine (engine 24) and the electric motor 26 can be freely connected to the propeller 32. In the outboard motor 10, the outboard motor main body 12 including at least the drive source and the propeller is disposed in water (seawater or freshwater W), and the outboard motor main body 12 is attached to the hull with an extension pipe 16. It was comprised so that it might fix via.

  The output shaft (crankshaft 34) of the internal combustion engine and the output shaft 26b of the electric motor are arranged on the same axis as the propeller shaft 54 of the propeller.

  Further, the fuel tank 14 for storing the fuel 72 to be supplied to the internal combustion engine is configured to be disposed above the extension pipe 16.

  Further, the extension pipe 16 is formed hollow inside, the intake passage of the internal combustion engine, a fuel pipe 44 connected to a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine, and the internal combustion engine At least one of the throttle cable 40 connected to the throttle valve of the engine and the electric signal line 52 connected to the electric motor is arranged inside the extension pipe (space 62).

  The output shaft (crankshaft 34) of the internal combustion engine is configured to be freely connectable to the propeller 32 via a clutch including an electromagnetic clutch 60 or a centrifugal clutch 100.

  In the above description, the electric motor 26 is a DC brushless motor, but other types of motors may be used.

  Moreover, although the exhaust amount of the engine 24, the output of the electric motor 26, etc. were shown by the specific value, these are illustrations and are not limited.

  Further, the intake passage of the engine 24, the fuel pipe 44, the throttle cable 40, and the electric signal line 52 are all arranged inside the extension pipe 16 (space 62). However, any one of the above-described configurations (for example, , The intake passage) may be disposed inside the extension pipe 16, and the others (for example, the fuel pipe 44, the throttle cable 40, and the electric signal line 52) may be disposed near the outer periphery of the extension pipe. In that sense, in the claims, “the intake passage of the internal combustion engine, a fuel pipe connected to a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine, and a throttle valve of the internal combustion engine”. “At least one of a throttle cable and an electric signal line connected to the electric motor”.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an outboard motor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the outboard motor shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the hull side. FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view illustrating an outboard motor main body illustrated in FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the outboard motor main body shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating an enlarged outboard motor body of an outboard motor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Outboard motor, 12 Outboard motor main body, 14 Fuel tank, 16 Extension pipe, 20 Hull, 24 Engine (internal combustion engine), 26 Electric motor, 26b (Electric motor) output shaft, 32 propeller, 34 Crankshaft (internal combustion) Engine output shaft), 40 throttle cable, 44 fuel piping, 52 electric signal line, 54 propeller shaft, 60 electromagnetic clutch (clutch), 72 fuel, 100 centrifugal clutch (clutch), W seawater (or fresh water)

Claims (5)

  In a hybrid type outboard motor that is attached to a hull and that can be connected to a propeller with a drive source composed of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, at least the outboard motor main body including the drive source and the propeller is disposed in water, An outboard motor characterized in that the outboard motor main body is fixed to the hull via an extension pipe.   2. The outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the output shaft of the internal combustion engine and the output shaft of the electric motor are arranged on the same axis as the propeller shaft of the propeller.   The outboard motor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine is disposed above the extension pipe.   The extension pipe is formed hollow inside, and the intake passage of the internal combustion engine, a fuel pipe connected to a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine, and a throttle valve of the internal combustion engine 4. The at least one of a throttle cable connected to the electric motor and an electric signal line connected to the electric motor is arranged inside the extension pipe. 5. Outboard motor.   The outboard motor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an output shaft of the internal combustion engine is freely connectable to the propeller via a clutch including an electromagnetic clutch or a centrifugal clutch.

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