Integrated Outboard Motor

Abstract

An outboard drive has an electric motor that is electronically controlled from an inverter. The outboard drive includes a pylon, with the electric motor and inverter arranged in the pylon.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an arrangement of inverter and electric motor in the pylon according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG. 1, but of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a detail of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an isolated view of another embodiment of the pylon according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pylon of FIG. 4, but without the lid; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an inverter employed in the invention.

Claims

1. An outboard drive with an underwater gondola, comprising an external rotor electric motor arranged in the underwater gondola, and a carrier body with high thermal conductance and an opening through which a shaft extends, wherein the shaft is connected with the electric motor which is electronically controlled from an inverter, and the inverter is in thermal contact with the carrier body.

2. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein at least one housing part made of a non-metallic material form the outer walls of the underwater gondola.

3. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein the inverter and the electric motor are arranged on the same side of the carrier body.

4. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein the inverter and the electric motor are arranged on different sides of the carrier body.

5. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein a transmission is provided in the underwater gondola.

6. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein the inverter has a printed circuit board on which electronic switching elements and additional electronic components arranged, with the electronic switching elements being in thermal contact with the carrier body.

7. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein the carrier body is made of metal.

8. The outboard drive according to claim 1, wherein the inverter is arranged on a metal plate which is in thermal contact with the carrier body.

9. The outboard drive according to claim 2, wherein the at least one non-metallic housing part is made of plastic.

10. The outboard drive according to claim 6, wherein the electronic switching elements are transistors.