JP2011105273A - Anode anti-corrosion unit of engine for outboard motor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an anode anti-corrosion unit of an engine for an outdoor motor capable of easily recognizing a replacement time of an anode metal. <P>SOLUTION: The anode anti-corrosion unit 26 of the engine for the outdoor motor is the one in which the anode metal 54 is mounted on a cylinder block 23 constituting a water jacket 45. The anode anti-corrosion unit 26 includes: an anode current detection part 62 for detecting a current I which flows with potential difference between the cylinder block and the anode metal; a part 63 for determining the replacement time which determines that it is the replacement time of the anode metal when the current detected at the anode current detection part is below a preset reference current; and an informing part 67 for informing the determination result of the part for determining the replacement time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an anode anticorrosion unit for an engine for an outboard motor in which an anode metal is attached to a passage constituting part constituting a cooling water passage of a water-cooled engine mounted on the outboard motor.

In a water-cooled engine mounted on an outboard motor, a cooling portion of a cylinder block is cooled by flowing cooling water (such as seawater) through a water jacket (cooling water passage). The cylinder block is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy.
Here, it is considered that the water jacket is corroded because it is exposed to cooling water (seawater or the like).

Therefore, as a means for suppressing the corrosion of the water jacket, a technique is known in which the anode block is provided in the cylinder block in a state where the anode metal is housed in the water jacket.
According to this technique, it is possible to cause a current (corrosion protection current) to flow between the cylinder block and the anode metal by a potential difference between the cylinder block and the anode metal, and to cause the anode metal to be eroded instead of the cylinder block.
Thus, by corroding the anode metal instead of the cylinder block, corrosion of the water jacket can be suppressed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-162187 A

Here, when the anode metal is consumed due to electrolytic corrosion, it becomes difficult for current (anticorrosive current) to flow between the cylinder block and the anode metal, and it becomes difficult to suppress corrosion of the cylinder block.
For this reason, when the anode metal is consumed by a predetermined amount, it is necessary to replace the consumed anode metal with a new anode metal.
However, since the anode metal is accommodated in the water jacket, it is difficult to recognize the consumption state (that is, the replacement time) of the anode metal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an anode anticorrosion unit for an engine for an outboard motor that can easily recognize the replacement time of the anode metal.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anode anticorrosion unit for an outboard engine in which an anode metal that protects the passage component is attached to a passage component that constitutes a cooling water passage of a water-cooled engine mounted on the outboard motor. The anode current detection unit for detecting a current flowing through the anode metal by a potential difference between the passage configuration unit and the anode metal, and the current detected by the anode current detection unit is lower than a preset reference current. A replacement time determination unit that determines that it is a replacement time of the anode metal, and a notification unit that notifies a determination result of the replacement time determination unit.

Here, by flowing a current (anti-corrosion current) between the passage component and the anode metal due to a potential difference between the passage component and the anode metal, the anode metal can be eroded instead of the passage component (cooling water passage). it can.
As the anode metal erodes, the shape of the anode metal becomes smaller and the amount of dissolution decreases. For this reason, it becomes difficult for a current (anticorrosion current) to flow between the passage component and the anode metal.

Therefore, the electric corrosion state of the anode metal can be determined by detecting the current flowing between the passage component and the anode metal.
Therefore, in claim 1, the current flowing between the passage component and the anode metal is detected to determine the replacement timing of the anode metal.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the notification section includes at least one of a display section for displaying a warning and a notification section for generating a notification sound.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the anode current detection section detects a current flowing between the passage configuration section and the anode metal.

In the invention according to claim 1, the current flowing between the passage component and the anode metal is detected by the anode current detection unit, and when the detected current falls below the reference current, the replacement time determination unit determines the anode metal replacement time. The notification result is notified by the notification unit.
Thereby, it is possible to easily recognize the replacement time of the anode metal by the notification by the notification unit.

In the invention according to claim 2, at least one of a display unit that displays a warning and a notification unit that generates a notification sound is used as the notification unit.
By using the display unit as the notification unit, the notification can be sensed visually, and the replacement time of the anode metal can be easily recognized.
Furthermore, by using the sound report unit as the notification unit, the notification can be sensed by hearing and the replacement time of the anode metal can be easily recognized.

In the invention according to claim 3, the current flowing between the passage constituting portion and the anode metal is detected by the anode current detecting portion.
Here, the anode metal is attached to the passage component by an attachment member (for example, an attachment bolt, a washer or a nut). This attachment member needs to be detachable from the outside of the passage component, and a part of the attachment member is exposed to the outside of the passage component.

One member of the exposed mounting member is connected to the passage component, and the other member of the exposed mounting member is connected to the anode metal. Further, the anode current detection unit is connected to one member and the other member so as to be conductive (electrical).
In this way, one member and the other member of the mounting member are exposed from the passage constituting portion, and the anode current detection portion can be easily connected by electrically connecting the anode current detection portion to these members. Can do.
Thereby, simplification of the attachment structure which attaches an anode electric current detection part can be aimed at.

Further, by connecting the anode current detection unit to one member and the other member so as to be conductive (electrical), the current flowing between the passage component and the anode metal can be detected by the anode current detection unit.
In other words, the current flowing between the passage component and the anode metal is detected by the anode current detector, whereby the mounting structure for attaching the anode current detector can be simplified.

1 is a side view of an outboard motor according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a three-part enlarged view of FIG. 2. It is a figure explaining the example which recognizes the replacement time of an anode metal, and replaces an anode metal after recognition.

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

A description will be given of an anode anticorrosion unit (hereinafter abbreviated as an anode anticorrosion unit) 26 of the engine for an outboard motor according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the outboard motor 10 includes a mount case 11, an extension case 12, a gear case 13, a water-cooled engine 14, a drive shaft 15, a gear mechanism 16, a propeller shaft 17, and a propeller 18. And an outboard motor mounting mechanism 19.

The mount case 11 is a so-called engine support case in which the water-cooled engine 14 is attached to the upper surface.
The extension case 12 is attached to the lower part of the mount case 11.
The gear case 13 is attached to the lower part of the extension case 12.

The water-cooled engine 14 is a vertical multi-cylinder engine (for example, a V-type 6-cylinder engine), and the axis of the cylinders 21 arranged in parallel in the vertical direction is set horizontally (substantially horizontal), and the crankshaft 22 is set vertically. Is.
In the water-cooled engine 14, the joint surface between the sideways cylinder block (passage constituting portion) 23 and the cylinder head 24 and the joint surface between the cylinder head 24 and the head cover 25 are substantially vertical surfaces.
The water-cooled engine 14 includes an anode anticorrosion unit 26 (see FIG. 2) that protects the water jacket 45 by preventing corrosion of the water jacket (cooling water passage) 45 shown in FIG.

  The drive shaft 15 is housed in the extension case 12, extends downward from the crankshaft 22 of the water-cooled engine 14, and transmits the power of the water-cooled engine 14 to the propeller 18 via the gear mechanism 16 and the propeller shaft 17 in the gear case 13. To do.

The water-cooled engine 14 is covered with a lower undercase 31 and an upper engine cover 32. The engine cover 32 has a fresh air inlet 32a at the top. Outside air is taken into the engine cover 32 from the fresh air inlet 32a.
Upper portions of the mount case 11 and the extension case 12 are covered with an under cover 33.

A water pump 35 and a cooling water supply pipe 36 are accommodated in the extension case 12 and the gear case 13. The gear case 13 has a water intake 13a.
Cooling water (seawater or the like) 44 (see FIG. 2) taken into the gear case 13 from the water intake port 13a by the water pump 35 passes through the cooling water supply pipe 36 and is a water jacket (cooling water passage) 45 ( 2), the cooling parts in the cylinder block 23, the cylinder head 24, etc. of the water-cooled engine 14 are cooled and then discharged to the outside.
43 is a cooling water screen.

  The outboard motor mounting mechanism 19 is for fixing the outboard motor 10 to the hull Si, and swings the outboard motor 10 left and right in plan view around the swivel shaft 37, and centers around the tilt shaft 38. The outboard motor 10 including the swivel shaft 37 can be flipped up in the clockwise direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder block 23 of the water-cooled engine 14 includes a cylinder portion 42 in which a cylinder liner 41 is embedded. An axis 43 of a cylinder hole 41 a of the cylinder liner 41 is arranged in a V shape, and the cylinder portion 42. A water jacket 45 is formed so as to surround the cylinder liner 41.
When the cooling water (seawater or the like) supplied from the cooling water supply pipe 36 (see FIG. 1) flows to the water jacket 45, the periphery of the cylinder liner 41 can be cooled.

The cylinder portion 42 is provided with a plurality of anode structures 27 that protect the water jacket 45 by preventing corrosion of the water jacket 45.
That is, as described in FIG. 1, the water-cooled engine 14 is a vertical multi-cylinder engine (for example, a V-type 6-cylinder engine). That is, the water-cooled engine 14 is provided with a plurality (specifically six) of cylinder liners 41.
An anode structure 27 is provided on each of the water jackets 45 (cylinder blocks 23) surrounding the plurality of cylinder liners 41.
Therefore, a plurality of anode structures 27 are provided in the cylinder block 23.

However, when the plurality of anode structures 27 are described, the description becomes complicated and the configuration of the anode anticorrosion unit 26 becomes difficult to understand.
Therefore, in order to facilitate understanding of the anode protection unit 26, in the embodiment, one of the plurality of anode structures 27 is selected and exemplified.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the anode protection unit 26 includes an anode structure 27 that protects the water jacket 45 by preventing corrosion of the water jacket 45, and anode detection means 28 that determines when the anode structure 27 is to be replaced. It has.

  The anode structure 27 includes a sealing plug (mounting member) 51 screwed to the metal insertion hole 47 of the cylinder block 23, a mounting bolt (mounting member) 53 that can be passed through the through hole 52 of the sealing plug 51, and a mounting bolt. 53 and a cylindrical anode metal 54 supported by the sealing plug 51.

The sealing plug 51 is a member made of non-conductive resin.
The anode metal 54 is a cylindrical member formed of a metal that is more easily corroded than the water jacket 45 (cylinder block 23) in order to prevent the water jacket 45 from being subjected to electrolytic corrosion.
For example, when the material of the cylinder block 23 is an aluminum alloy, zinc or a zinc alloy is used as the material of the anode metal 54.
Here, the easily corroded metal is a metal that is more easily ionized and has a low positive electrode potential. The anode metal 54 is called a sacrificial electrode (or sacrificial anode) because it is dissolved by corrosion instead of the water jacket 45.

  The anode metal 54 is fitted to the mounting bolt 53, the washer (mounting member) 55 is fitted to the threaded portion 53a protruding from the through hole 52 of the sealing plug 51, and the nut (mounting member) 56 is screwed. Thereby, the anode metal 54 is supported by the mounting bolt 53 and the sealing plug 51.

A sealing washer (mounting member) 57 is interposed between the cylinder block 23 and the sealing plug 51, and an O-ring (mounting member) 58 is interposed between the mounting bolt 53 and the sealing plug 51, so that the water jacket 45 is externally provided. Sealed.
Here, the cylinder block 23, the mounting bolt 53, the anode metal 54, the washer 55, the nut 56, and the sealing washer 57 are conductors.

  The anode detection means 28 includes a drive detection unit 61 that detects the drive state of the water-cooled engine 14, an anode current detection unit 62 that detects a current (anticorrosion current) I (see FIG. 4) flowing through the anode metal 54, and an anode current detection A replacement time determination unit 63 that determines the replacement time of the anode metal 54 based on the current I detected by the unit 62 and a notification unit 67 that notifies the determination result of the replacement time determination unit 63 are provided.

  As an example, the drive detection unit 61 detects a drive state and a stop state of the water-cooled engine 14 based on a signal from the engine tachometer 59 of the water-cooled engine 14, and sends a detection signal to the replacement time determination unit 63 (specifically, , To the determination unit 65).

The anode current detection unit 62 is connected to the sealing washer 57 and the washer 55 so as to be conductive (electrically), and detects a current I (see FIG. 4) flowing between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54.
This current I is a current that flows due to a potential difference between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54.

Here, the anode metal 54 is attached to the cylinder block 23 by attachment members (sealing plug 51, attachment bolt 53, sealing washer 57, washer 55, etc.).
The sealing plug 51 is a member made of non-conductive resin.
The sealing washer (one member) 57 and the washer (other member) 55 are conductive metal members exposed to the outside of the cylinder block 23.

Thus, by exposing the sealing washer 57 and the washer 55 to the outside of the cylinder block 23, the anode current detector 62 can be easily connected to the sealing washer 57 and the washer 55.
Thereby, simplification of the attachment structure which attaches the anode current detection part 62 can be achieved.

In addition, the anode current detection unit 62 is connected to the sealing washer 57 and the washer 55 so as to be conductive (electrically), so that a current I between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54 is generated by a potential difference between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54. (See FIG. 4) flows.
Therefore, the current (anticorrosion current) I flowing between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54 can be detected by the anode current detector 62.

The replacement time determination unit 63 includes an amplification unit 64, a determination unit 65, and an output unit 66.
The amplifying unit 64 amplifies the detected current I detected by the anode current detecting unit 62 and transmits it to the determining unit 65.

The determination unit 65 determines whether the water-cooled engine 14 is in a drive state or a stop state based on a detection signal from the drive detection unit 61.
Further, the determination unit 65 stores a preset reference current, compares this reference current with the detection current I, and determines whether or not the detection current I is below the reference current.

In addition, when the determination unit 65 determines that the detected current I is lower than the reference current and determines that the water-cooled engine 14 is in a driving state, the determination unit 65 determines that it is time to replace the anode metal 54 and replaces it. The signal is transmitted to the output unit 66.
The output unit 66 transmits a notification signal to the notification unit 67 based on the exchange signal transmitted from the determination unit 65.

The notification unit 67 includes a warning light (display unit) 71 and a warning buzzer (report sound unit) 72.
According to the notification unit 67, the warning lamp 71 is turned on (flashing) based on the notification signal transmitted from the output unit 66, and the warning buzzer 72 generates a warning sound.

Next, an example of replacing the anode metal 54 of the anode anticorrosion unit 26 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, an example in which the anode detection means 28 recognizes the replacement time of the anode metal 54 will be described.
Due to the potential difference between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54, a current (anticorrosive current) I flows between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54 as shown by an arrow.

Specifically, due to a potential difference between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54, current (anticorrosive current) I flows from the anode metal 54 to the cylinder block 23 through the cooling water (seawater or the like) 44 in the water jacket 45 as indicated by an arrow. .
The current I flowing through the cylinder block 23 flows through the cylinder block 23 and the sealing washer 57 to the harness 74 as indicated by an arrow.

The current I flowing through the harness 74 flows through the anode current detection unit 62 as indicated by an arrow, and the anode current detection unit 62 detects the current I.
The current I flowing through the anode current detector 62 flows through the harness 75 and the washer 55 to the mounting bolt 53 as shown by the arrow.
The current I flowing through the mounting bolt 53 flows through the anode metal 54 as indicated by the arrow, and flows from the anode metal 54 through the cooling water (seawater or the like) 44 to the cylinder block 23 as indicated by the arrow.

In this way, the current (corrosion protection current) I flows from the anode metal 54 through the cooling water (seawater or the like) 44 to the cylinder block 23, so that corrosion of the water jacket 45 can be suppressed.
That is, the corrosion of the water jacket 45 can be suppressed because the anode metal 54 is dissolved by the corrosion.
Thereby, corrosion of the water jacket 45 can be prevented and the water jacket 45 can be protected.

In this state, it is detected whether the water-cooled engine 14 (see FIG. 1) is in a driving state or a stopped state, and a detection signal is transmitted to the determination unit 65.
Next, a current (anticorrosive current) I flowing between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54 due to a potential difference between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54 is detected by the anode current detection unit 62.

Here, when the current I flows between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54, the anode metal 54 galvanizes instead of the water jacket 45.
When the anode metal 54 is dissolved by corrosion, the shape of the anode metal 54 is reduced and the amount of dissolution is reduced.
As the amount of the anode metal 54 dissolved decreases, the current I hardly flows between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54.
Therefore, by detecting the current I, the state of dissolution of the anode metal 54 can be determined.

Accordingly, the current I flowing between the cylinder block 23 and the anode metal 54 is detected by the anode current detector 62.
The detection current I detected by the anode current detection unit 62 is amplified by the amplification unit 64 of the replacement time determination unit 63 and transmitted to the determination unit 65.
The determination unit 65 compares the detected current I with a preset reference current to determine whether the detected current I is below the reference current.

When the detected current I is lower than the reference current, it is determined whether the water-cooled engine 14 shown in FIG. 1 is in a driving state or a stopped state.
When it is determined that the water-cooled engine 14 is in a driving state, it is determined that it is time to replace the anode metal 54 and an exchange signal is transmitted to the output unit 66.

A notification signal is transmitted to the notification unit 67 based on the exchange signal transmitted to the output unit 66.
When the notification signal is transmitted from the output unit 66, the warning lamp 71 of the notification unit 67 is turned on (flashes), and the warning buzzer 72 generates a warning sound.
The operator can easily recognize the replacement timing of the anode metal 54 by the lighting (flashing) of the warning lamp 71 and the warning sound of the warning buzzer 72.

  Here, by using the warning lamp 71 and the warning buzzer 72 as the notification unit 67, the notification can be sensed visually and sensed by hearing, and the replacement time of the anode metal 54 can be more easily recognized.

  By the way, in the embodiment, in order to facilitate understanding of the anode anticorrosion unit 26, one of the plurality of anode structures 27 is selected and illustrated. However, in reality, a plurality of anode structures 27 (first to sixth anode structures 27) are provided corresponding to the plurality of cylinder liners 41.

Furthermore, a plurality of notification units 67 (first to sixth notification units 67) are provided corresponding to the plurality of anode structures 27.
Therefore, among the first to sixth notification units 67, for example, when the nth (n = 1 to 6) notification unit 67 reports, the replacement time of the anode metal 54 of the nth anode structure 27 is changed. It can be easily recognized.

Next, an example of replacing the anode metal 54 will be described.
First, the sealing plug 51 screwed to the metal insertion hole 47 is loosened and removed from the metal insertion hole 47. That is, the sealing plug 51 and the anode metal 54 are taken out from the metal insertion hole 47.
Next, the nut 56 is loosened, and the nut 56 and the washer 55 are removed from the threaded portion 53 a of the mounting bolt 53.

Next, the mounting bolt 53 is extracted from the through hole 52, and the anode metal 54 fitted to the mounting bolt 53 is replaced with a new anode metal 54.
Next, the mounting bolt 53 is attached to the sealing plug 51 with the nut 56, so that the anode metal 54 is supported by the mounting bolt 53 and the sealing plug 51.
After supporting the anode metal 54, the sealing plug 51 is screwed to the metal insertion hole 47 to complete the replacement operation of the anode metal 54.

Note that the anode anticorrosion unit 26 of the engine for an outboard motor according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed and improved.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the anode anticorrosion unit 26 is provided in the cylinder block 23 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the anode anticorrosion unit 26 is connected to the cylinder head (passage component) 24 (see FIGS. The same effect can be obtained even if it is provided.
As shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder head 24 of the water-cooled engine 14 may be provided with an anode structure 27, and anode detection means 28 for judging the replacement timing of the anode structure 27 may be provided.

Moreover, although the said Example demonstrated the example which provided the member of both the warning lamp 71 and the warning buzzer 72 as the alerting | reporting part 67, it is not restricted to this but either can also be used.
By using the warning lamp 71 as the notification unit 67, the notification can be sensed visually, and the replacement time of the anode metal 54 can be easily recognized.
On the other hand, by using the warning buzzer 72 as the notification unit 67, the notification can be sensed by hearing and the replacement time of the anode metal 54 can be easily recognized.

  Furthermore, in the said Example, although the V type 6 cylinder engine was illustrated as the water cooling engine 14, it is not restricted to this, It is also possible to apply this invention to another engine.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the driving state and the stopping state of the water-cooled engine 14 are detected based on the signal of the engine tachometer 59 has been described. It is not limited.
For example, it is possible to detect the driving state and the stopping state of the water-cooled engine 14 based on the water temperature of the cooling water (seawater or the like) 44.
When the outboard motor 10 includes a control unit that controls the rotation speed of the water-cooled engine 14, it is possible to detect the driving state and the stopped state of the water-cooled engine 14 from the information of the control unit.

  Further, the outboard motor 10, the water cooling engine 14, the cylinder block 23, the cylinder head 24, the anode anticorrosion unit 26, the anode structure 27, the anode detection means 28, the water jacket 45, the anode metal 54, and the anode current shown in the above embodiment. The shapes and configurations of the detection unit 62, the replacement time determination unit 63, the notification unit 67, the warning lamp 71, the warning buzzer 72, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for a water-cooled engine for an outboard motor equipped with an anode anticorrosion unit that attaches an anode metal to a passage component constituting the cooling water passage of the water-cooled engine to protect the passage component.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Outboard motor, 14 ... Water cooling engine, 23 ... Cylinder block (passage structure part), 24 ... Cylinder head (passage structure part), 26 ... Anode protection unit (anode protection unit of the engine for outboard motors), 27 ... Anode structure, 28 ... anode detection means, 45 ... water jacket (cooling water passage), 54 ... anode metal, 62 ... anode current detection unit, 63 ... replacement time determination unit, 67 ... notification unit, 71 ... warning lamp (display) Part), 72 ... warning buzzer (report sound part).

Claims (3)

In an anode anticorrosion unit for an outboard engine in which an anode metal that protects the passage component is attached to a passage component that constitutes a cooling water passage of a water-cooled engine mounted on the outboard motor.
An anode current detection unit for detecting a current flowing through the anode metal by a potential difference between the passage component and the anode metal;
A replacement time determination unit that determines that it is a replacement time of the anode metal when the current detected by the anode current detection unit falls below a preset reference current;
A notifying unit for notifying the determination result of the replacement time determining unit;
An anode anticorrosion unit for an engine for an outboard motor. The notification unit
The anode anticorrosion unit for an engine for an outboard motor according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a display unit for displaying a warning and a sounding unit for generating a notification sound. The anode current detector is
The anode anticorrosion unit for an engine for an outboard motor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a current flowing between the passage component and the anode metal is detected.

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