JP3973095B2 - Outboard motor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an outboard motor, and more particularly to an outboard motor equipped with a wireless communication device that can transmit data such as an operation state to the outside.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In vehicles such as automobiles, it is known to monitor the driving state of the vehicle at a remote position. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-315272 discloses a vehicle in which a failure diagnosis device with a transmitter is mounted on a vehicle and the diagnosis result is transmitted to a base station. In a vehicle equipped with a transmitter, data is transmitted to the base station using a radio receiving antenna or a dedicated antenna protruding outside the vehicle.
[0003]
Since outboard motors used for ships are required to continue operating under severe conditions for a long time, it is conceivable to transmit information for appropriate maintenance to a maintenance management facility. In the case of small vessels using outboard motors, the outboard motors may be retrofitted independently of the hull, so that antennas for transmission and reception are provided near the steering position such as in the cabin. There are many cases.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When trying to incorporate a communication device into the outboard motor itself, the antennas are far away from the outboard motor, so it takes time for wiring, and noise countermeasures are required for long wiring. There are many. In particular, since the outboard motor is used in combination with various hulls, individual measures are required in consideration of differences in wiring routes and the like, and adjustment is troublesome.
[0005]
It is an object of the present invention to provide an outboard motor that solves the above-described problems, does not require labor for wiring, and does not need to consider the type of hull to be attached.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to an outboard motor having a main body composed of a propulsion device and an internal combustion engine for driving the propulsion device, and a cover that detachably covers the internal combustion engine, and detecting an operation state of the internal combustion engine. Apparatus and a communication device accommodation room for accommodating a communication device for transmitting an operation state detection signal output from the operation state detection device to the outside, wherein the communication device accommodation room is accessible from the outside. The first feature is that it is attached to the cover.
[0007]
According to the first feature, in a ship that does not have a cabin or the like as a place where the communication device is installed, the communication device can be accommodated in the cover of the outboard motor. Since the communication device and the operation state detection device are close to each other, the wiring path can be made extremely short. Therefore, noise on the wiring path can be reduced. Since the positional relationship with the internal combustion engine, which is likely to be a noise source, is fixed, it is possible to take countermeasures and check against noise with the outboard motor alone.
[0008]
Further, according to the present invention, the communication device accommodation chamber includes a lid that forms a part of the cover, and a holding member that is coupled to the lid and fits inside the cover, and the lid is attached to the cover. The second feature is that it is pivotally supported and can be freely opened and closed. Since the communication device is housed in a holding member that fits inside the cover and covered with a cover that is integrated with the cover, the appearance is simple, and the communication device can be protected under severe use environments involving moisture etc. .
[0009]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the communication device accommodation chamber is provided with a communication connector adapted to a connection terminal of the communication device in order to connect the communication device to be accommodated and the operation state detection device. There is a third feature. According to the 3rd characteristic, a communication apparatus can be mounted | worn with a communication apparatus accommodation chamber in the state connected to the driving | running state detection apparatus.
[0010]
In addition, the present invention has a fourth feature in that the holding member has a buffer function for protecting the accommodated communication device. The communicator is an outboard motor with strong vibrations, is attached to a cover with relatively small vibrations, and is held by a holding member that takes buffering into consideration.
[0011]
In addition, the present invention has a fifth feature in that the cover and the lid of the communication device accommodation chamber are formed of resin. The appearance can be improved by forming the cover and the lid with a resin that can be easily molded. Moreover, since all the antennas of a communication apparatus can be accommodated inside the resin cover, the appearance can be improved and the antenna can be protected from a severe use environment.
[0012]
Moreover, the present invention has a sixth feature in that the communication connector is configured to be connectable to a remote set for remotely operating the communication device. It is not limited to using the communication device only when the operating state is transmitted to the outside, and communication can be performed using a remote set.
[0013]
In addition, the present invention has a seventh feature in that the communication device is a mobile phone. The mobile phone can be used for transmission of the driving state, and if necessary, the cover can be opened and the mobile phone can be taken out to make a normal voice call or emergency contact.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a right side view of an outboard motor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the outboard motor. The outboard motor 1 is equipped with a multi-cylinder four-cycle internal combustion engine (engine) 2. The engine 2 is a vertical type in which a crankshaft 3 extends vertically, and a drive shaft 4 extends downward from the crankshaft 3. A lower end of the drive shaft 4 is connected to a propeller shaft 6 via a gear device 5, and a propeller 7 as a propeller is attached to the propeller shaft 6.
[0015]
The lower part of the engine 2 is accommodated in the undercase 8, the undercover 9 and the extension case 10, and the gear device 5 and the propeller shaft 6 are accommodated in the gear case 11. On the other hand, the main body, that is, the upper part of the engine 2 is covered with a detachable engine cover 12. The under case 8, the under cover 9, and the extension case 10 are made of metal, and the engine cover 12 is made of resin.
[0016]
The engine 2 has four cylinders 21 and pistons 22 arranged so that the cylinder axis is horizontal. The cylinder 21 is formed by a cylinder block 23 and a cylinder head 24, and the cylinder head 24 is covered with a cylinder cover 25. An intake manifold 13 extending from the cylinder head 24 is coupled to the silencer 14. A camshaft 26 protruding from the cylinder head 24 is connected to the crankshaft 3 via the belt 15. Further, the crankshaft 3 is connected to a shaft 18 of a generator 17 via a belt 16. The belts 15 and 16 are covered with a belt cover 19.
[0017]
The outboard motor 1 is provided with an outboard motor mounting tool 27. The outboard motor attachment 27 includes a first bracket 272 coupled to a left / right swing shaft 271 that extends substantially vertically, and a second bracket 274 that is swingable up / down by a vertical swing shaft 273 with respect to the bracket 272. And have. The outboard motor 1 is fixed to the ship S by the second bracket 274.
[0018]
An intake intake 20 is provided at the upper part of the engine cover 12. A communication unit 28 including an antenna is disposed on the upper inner surface of the engine cover 12. A communication device accommodation chamber 34 is provided in the rear portion of the engine cover 12, that is, on the wall surface on the ship S side. The communication device accommodation chamber 34 is configured to receive, for example, a mobile phone PH, and is supported by the engine cover 12 by a pivot 35 so as to be opened and closed. By making it openable and closable from the outside, access such as attachment and removal of the mobile phone PH accommodated therein is easy.
[0019]
The communication device accommodation chamber 34 has a waterproof structure and a buffer structure in order to protect the accommodated communication device from vibration and moisture. That is, a sealing member for waterproofing and cushioning is disposed at the meeting portion with the engine cover 12. In FIG. 1, the communication device accommodation chamber 34 is opened outward with the pivot 35 as a center, and the cellular phone PH can be taken in and out of the communication device accommodation chamber 34. A communication connector 36 that can connect an external connection terminal of the mobile phone PH is provided at the bottom of the communication device accommodation chamber 34. The cable 33 drawn from the communication unit 28 is connected to the communication connector 36 so that the communication unit 28 and the mobile phone PH accommodated in the communication device accommodation chamber 34 are connected.
[0020]
The cable 33 connected to the communication connector 36 can be extended and pulled out of the engine cover 12. A remote set 38 can be connected to the end of the extension portion 37 of the cable 33 so that the mobile phone PH can be operated remotely. The remote set 38 can include a transmission / reception display LED 381, a call button 382, a call end (cut) button 383, and a speaker / microphone 384. The function buttons attached to the remote set 38 are not limited to these, and functions necessary for remotely operating the mobile phone PH can be arbitrarily selected and provided.
[0021]
The length of the cable extension 37 can be set so that the remote set 38 can be placed near the operator. Further, an intermediate connection portion can be arranged at an arbitrary position between the remote set 38 and the engine cover 12. This is because the remote set 38 can be connected to the engine cover 12 only when remote control is required. The remote set 38 and the mobile phone PH are not limited to being connected by the cable 33 or the extension 37, but may be connected wirelessly using a known short-range wireless communication technology.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the communication device accommodation chamber 34. In the figure, the communication device accommodation chamber 34 includes a lid 341 and a communication device holding frame 342. The lid 341 is a part of the engine cover 12, and has an outer shape, that is, a contour that matches the contour of the engine cover 12, and is made of the same or equivalent resin as the engine cover 12. Good. Although it has already been described that the buffer member is disposed on the lid 341, the communication device holding frame 342 is also formed of a material having a buffer function, or at least on the surface in contact with the mobile phone PH to be accommodated, It is preferable that a rubber sheet or the like for buffering is attached.
[0023]
A communication connector 36 is arranged at the bottom center of the communication device holding frame 342, and a gap 39 is formed between both sides of the communication connector 36 and the communication device holding frame 342. The antenna of the mobile phone PH accommodated in the communication device holding frame 342 can be accommodated in the gap 39 while avoiding the communication connector 36. A hole 35 a for receiving the pin of the pivot 35 is formed in a side portion of the communication device holding frame 342.
[0024]
An eject button 40 can be provided on the communication device holding frame 342. It is desirable to adopt a structure in which the external connection terminal of the mobile phone PH connected to the communication connector 36 is locked by a spring. In such a case, the eject button 40 is pushed and biased in the locking direction. Can be released spring.
[0025]
A hook 41 for fixing the lid 341 to the engine cover 12 is provided inside the upper end of the lid 341. The hook 41 bends the leaf spring and engages with a hook receiver (not shown) provided on the engine case 12 side. As such a lock mechanism for the lid body by the hook and the hook receiver, those conventionally used for fastening the lid can be used.
[0026]
In the communication device accommodation chamber 34, the lid 341 and the communication device holding frame 342 are integrated, so that the communication device holding frame 342 protrudes outward from the engine cover 12 when the cover 341 is opened. Therefore, the access to the mobile phone PH accommodated is very good.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system mounted on the outboard motor. The communication unit 28 includes a CPU 281, an EEPROM 282, a communication interface 284, and a power supply unit 285. The ECU 29 is a control device that controls the operation of the engine 2 and has a function as an operation state detection device that detects an operation state of the engine, for example, an engine oil amount, an engine temperature, and the like.
[0028]
The communication interface 284 is connected to the ECU 29 and reads information indicating the operation state of the engine 2 detected by the ECU 29. This information and the like are communicated from the communication device 283 to the base station 30 via radio. The communication device 283 can be, for example, a mobile phone PH accommodated in the communication device accommodation chamber 34.
[0029]
A communication device 283 such as a mobile phone PH communicates with the outside in accordance with an instruction from the communication unit 28. Thus, the communication unit 28 and the communication device 283 constitute a wireless communication system accommodated in the engine cover 12 of the outboard motor main body.
[0030]
The ECU 29 transmits detection data from various sensors provided in the outboard motor 1 to the communication unit 28, and the communication unit 28 transmits the status data of the outboard motor 1 to the base station 30 provided in the marina or the like through the communication device 283. The base station 30 monitors the status data and sends the status change and the like via a general public network 100 to a maintenance company or a manufacturer sales store set in advance.
[0031]
The outboard motor 1 can be equipped with a GPS receiving circuit 31 that receives GPS (Global Positioning System) signals. In that case, the position (self-position) of the ship is calculated based on the position information detected by the CPU 281 and the GPS receiving circuit 31 of the communication unit 28.
[0032]
As described above, since a communication device such as a mobile phone is provided inside the engine cover, even when the outboard motor is retrofitted to the ship, the cable is not routed on the ship deck, and noise is picked up. It becomes difficult. In addition, the work on the deck is not disturbed. The positional relationship between the communication device and the antenna and the positional relationship between these and the outboard motor can be determined in advance. Therefore, it is possible to confirm and take measures in advance for interference between the outboard motor including the engine, the communication device, and the antenna, and malfunctions. In addition, the mobile phone housed in the engine cover is protected from being exposed to water and has good appearance.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, an example in which the cellular phone PH is used as the communication device 283 is shown, but a packet communication device may be accommodated in the communication device accommodating room 34 instead of the cellular phone PH.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the inventions of claims 1 to 7, since the communication device can be covered with the cover of the internal combustion engine, the appearance of the outboard motor is maintained well and noise countermeasures are also provided. Easy. In particular, noise can be investigated and countermeasures can be taken when assembling an outboard motor alone.
[0035]
In the invention of claim 3, measures are taken so that vibrations of the internal combustion engine and the ship are not easily transmitted to the communication device. In the invention of claim 4, the communication device and the operation state detection device can be easily connected.
[0036]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an outboard motor capable of accommodating a communication device and having a good appearance can be provided by a resin material that can be molded and colored. According to the invention of claim 6, the communication device can be used by remote control. Further, since all the antennas of the communication device can be accommodated inside the resin cover, the appearance can be improved and the antenna can be protected from a severe use environment. According to the invention of claim 7, the driving state can be automatically transmitted using a mobile phone, and the passenger can remove the mobile phone from the cover and perform necessary information transmission, emergency communication, etc. as needed. Can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an outboard motor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the outboard motor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a communication device accommodation chamber.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication system including a mobile phone.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outboard motor, 2 ... Engine, 12 ... Engine cover, 28 ... Communication unit, 33 ... Cable, 34 ... Communication device accommodation room, 35 ... Pivot, 36 ... Communication connector, 38 ... Remote set

Claims (6)

In an outboard motor having a main body composed of a propulsion device and an internal combustion engine for driving the propulsion device, and a cover that detachably covers the internal combustion engine,
An operation state detection device for detecting an operation state of the internal combustion engine;
Comprising a communication device accommodation room for accommodating a communication device for transmitting the operation state detection signal output by the operation state detection device to the outside;
The communication device accommodation chamber is composed of a lid that forms part of the cover, and a holding member that is coupled to the lid and fits inside the cover,
Outboard motor the lid, characterized in that it is an openable and closable is pivotally supported on the cover. Wherein the communication device accommodating chamber, for connecting the communication device to be accommodated and said operating condition detecting apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein the communication connector to be adapted to the connection terminals of said communication device is provided The outboard motor described. The holding member is the outboard motor according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a buffering function to protect the communication device is housed. Outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the lid of the cover and the communication unit accommodating chamber is formed of a resin. The outboard motor according to claim 2 , wherein the communication connector is configured to be connectable to a remote set for remotely operating the communication device.   The outboard motor according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a mobile phone.

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