This is the U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/JP2014/069065, filed on Jul. 17, 2014. Priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) and 35 U.S.C. §365(b) is claimed from Japanese Application No. 2013-154039, filed Jul. 24, 2013; Japanese Application No. 2013-257526, filed Dec. 12, 2013; Japanese Application No. 2013-257529, filed Dec. 12, 2013; and Japanese Application No. 2013-258739, filed Dec. 13, 2013, the disclosures of which are also incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a technique for a small watercraft.
Various conventional techniques related to small watercrafts have been known.
The small watercrafts include a small watercraft for leisure use that is used for sports, recreations, and the like (see Patent Literature 1).
For example, a small watercraft is mainly made of an FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics) material, and has an overall length of approximately 12 m, a weight of approximately 10 tons, and a complement of 12 persons.
Some small watercrafts are configured to obtain thrust by driving a propeller with an engine serving as a power source, and to introduce intake air for the engine into an engine room in an inboard section from the outside through air intake ports.
PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H6-115486
In the small watercraft, water may splash on air intake ports.
The small watercraft has a problem in that water splashing on the air intake ports enters an inboard section through the air intake ports.
The present invention is made in view of the situation described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique related to a small watercraft that can prevent water from entering an inboard section through air intake ports.
A problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above, and means for solving the problem will now be described.
A small watercraft for leisure use configured to obtain thrust by driving a propeller with an engine serving as a power source, and includes an air intake port configured to introduce air into an engine room in an inboard section from outside, and a radar arm configured to support a radar. The air intake port is positioned on the inner side with respect to the radar arm.
According to the present invention, the air intake port opens toward a bow side.
According to the present invention, the small watercraft also includes a guide groove configured to guide the air to the air intake port.
According to the present invention, the guide groove is disposed on a bow side of the air intake port.
According to the present invention, the small watercraft further includes a transom gate, and the transom gate includes an extension portion that extends outward from the transom gate with the transom gate rotated and laid rearward.
The following effect is obtained as an effect of the present invention. A small watercraft according to the present invention can prevent water from entering an inboard section through air intake ports.
A small watercraft 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Configurations of components of the small watercraft 1 are described in detail below.
The hull 1a of the small watercraft 1 is provided with the deck 1b, the cabin 1c, an engine room 1d, a radar arm 1e, a pair of left and right air intake ports 1f, 1f, a rear deck 1g, and a transom gate 1h.
The deck 1b covers an upper part of the hull 1a and forms a compartment and the like. The deck 1b is provided with a plurality of windows (a front roof window 11, a rear roof window 12, and a pair of left and right side windows 13, 13) for daylighting in the compartment in the inboard section and a mooring device 22.
The small watercraft 1, divided into the bow side and the stern side at the cabin 1c (pilot house 2), is relatively longer on the bow side. Thus, the small watercraft 1 can have a space large enough to dispose the front roof window 11 and the rear roof window 12 (a space large enough to dispose two roof windows on the deck 1b arranged in the bow and stern direction). Thus, the small watercraft 1 can have the pair of left and right side windows 13 that are large in the bow and stern direction. The pair of left and right side windows 13 each have an inboard section side divided into two sections of a bow side window 13a and a stern side window 13b. The pair of left and right side windows 13 each have the bow side window 13a serving as a window for a main bedroom and the stern side window 13b serving as a window for a galley and a salon not illustrated.
As illustrated in
The mooring device 22 has a bar-like member with an end portion having a protrusion for preventing the tied mooring rope from detaching. The mooring device 22 is configured to be containable in the hull 1a. Thus, the mooring device 22 is configured to be contained in the hull 1a so as not to protrude from the deck 1b during cruising, and is configured to be pulled up from the hull 1a so that the mooring rope can be tied during the mooring operation.
As illustrated in
The windshield 14 of the cabin 1c is disposed across left and right end portions of the pilot house 2. The windshield 14 has a left and right direction width that is approximately the same as a left and right direction width of the pilot house 2.
Thus, the windshield 14 is disposed across the left and right end portions of the pilot house 2, and the small watercraft 1 features a better view from a helmsman seat 21 in the pilot house 2 compared with a configuration without the windshield 14 disposed across the left and right end portions of the pilot house 2.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The fuel tank 25 stores fuel for the engine 23 or the generator 24. The fuel tank 25 is configured to receive fuel supply from the outside of the small watercraft 1. More specifically, as illustrated in
The daily life water tank 26 stores daily life water that occupants use. The daily life water tank 26 is configured to be capable of receiving daily life water supply from the outside of the small watercraft 1. More specifically, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The radar antenna 31 is an antenna for a radar, and sends and receives radar waves for detecting other watercrafts, buoys, and other objects on the ocean. The radar antenna 31 is disposed on an upper surface at approximately the center of the radar arm 1e. The GPS antenna 32 is an antenna for the GPS (Global Positioning System), and receives signals from GPS satellites. The GPS antenna 32 is disposed on the upper surface of the radar arm 1e and on one side of the radar antenna 31. The VHF antenna 33 is an antenna for VHF (ultrashort waves) communications. The VHF antenna 33 is disposed on the upper surface of the radar arm 1e and on the other side of the radar antenna 31.
The mast 34 enhances visibility of the all-round light 37a. The mast 34 is formed by bending a pipe-like member. The mast 34 is disposed on the upper surface at approximately the center of the radar arm 1e. The mast 34 is configured in such a manner that the all-round light 37a can be disposed on its top.
The horn 35 is disposed on the upper surface of the radar arm 1e and between the radar antenna 31 and the VHF antenna 33.
The downlights 36 illuminate the rear deck 1g of the small watercraft 1. The downlights 36 are provided to both left and right on a lower surface of the radar arm 1e. The all-round light 37a and the sidelights 37b notify surrounding watercrafts of the presence of the small watercraft 1. The all-round light 37a is disposed on the top of the mast 34. The sidelights 37b are disposed on both side surfaces of the radar arm 1e (on both starboard and port sides of the small watercraft 1).
A pair of left and right air intake ports 1f, 1f introduce intake air for the engine 23 into the engine room 1d in the inboard section of the small watercraft 1 from the outside. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The air intake ports 1f are formed on the upper side of the inclined surface 1x. A drain outlet 38 is provided near the lower side of the inclined surface 1x. Thus, water entering from the bow side into the space between the deck 1b and the radar arm 1e is discharged outside through the drain outlet 38. An air introduction hose 39 is connected to each of the air intake ports 1f, so that air can be supplied to a gas-liquid separator 40.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The gas-liquid separator 40 discharges water, out of air and water supplied through the air introduction hose 39 and the inlet 40d (the inlet 40d through the inlet 19a), through the drain outlet 40c (see arrows in
In the small watercraft 1 described above, in which the air intake ports 1f are positioned on the inner side with respect to the radar arm 1e, the air intake ports 1f are positioned on the inner side with respect to the radar arm 1e, whereby water splashing from the radar arm 1e side (sides of the small watercraft 1) is blocked by the radar arm 1e. In addition, in the small watercraft 1, water that has reached a portion near the air intake ports 1f is drained outside through the drain outlet 38. Furthermore, in the small watercraft 1, water entering through the air intake ports 1f and the inlet 40d of the rear deck 1g is separated by the gas-liquid separator 40 and drained outside through the drain outlet 40c. Thus, the small watercraft 1 can prevent water from entering the engine room 1d through the air intake ports 1f and the inlet 40d.
The air intake ports 1f of the small watercraft 1 open toward the bow side. The air intake ports 1f open toward the front-outward.
As described above, in the small watercraft 1, in which the air intake ports 1f open toward the bow side, introduction of air through the air intake ports 1f is facilitated while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward. Thus, with the small watercraft 1, a larger amount of air can be introduced to the engine room 1d from the outside while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward.
The air intake ports 1f of the small watercraft 1 are positioned closer to the bow side than the engine room 1d is. The air intake ports 1f are positioned on the rear lower sides and are in communication with the air introduction hose 39.
As described above, in the small watercraft 1, in which the air intake ports 1f are positioned closer to the bow side than the engine room 1d is, air can be supplied to the engine room 1d without largely changing the direction in which air introduced through the air intake ports 1f flows while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward (with the air generally flowing from front to rear). Thus, in the small watercraft 1, air introduced through the air intake ports 1f can be easily supplied to the engine room 1d while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward.
Furthermore, in the small watercraft 1, the air intake ports 1f may be provided with a net-like member (mesh member) so as to prevent dust or other foreign matters from entering the inboard section through the air intake ports 1f.
As illustrated in
As described above, in the small watercraft 1, which has the guide grooves 1k guiding air to the air intake ports 1f, the air guided by the guide grooves 1k is introduced through the air intake ports 1f. Thus, in the small watercraft 1, the guide grooves 1k guide the air to the air intake ports 1f, whereby air can be easily introduced from the outside to the engine room 1d.
The guide grooves 1k of the small watercraft 1 are formed in the bow and stern direction. The guide grooves 1k are formed on the bow side of the respective air intake ports 1f. Each of the guide grooves 1k is formed to extend from a position closer to the bow side than the corresponding air intake port 1f to the air intake port 1f. The guide grooves 1k are formed to be in communication with the respective air intake ports 1f. The guide grooves 1k have a width in the left and right direction slightly increasing from the bow side toward the stern side (with the depth of the groove increasing).
As described above, in the small watercraft 1, in which the guide grooves 1k are formed on the bow side of the respective air intake ports 1f, the air guided by the guide grooves 1k is introduced through the air intake ports 1f while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward. Thus, in the small watercraft 1, the guide grooves 1k guide the air to the air intake ports 1f while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward, whereby the air can be easily introduced from the outside to the engine room 1d while the small watercraft 1 is moving forward.
As illustrated in
The flap door 41 can be opened and closed by raising and lowering the bow side of the flap door 41 about a hinge 41a, provided at an end portion on the stern side, serving as a rotational axis. The bow side end portion of the flap door 41 is connected to an electric cylinder 42 provided in the engine room 1d. The flap door 41 can be opened and closed through extension and contraction of the electric cylinder 42. While the flap door 41 is opened and closed by the electric cylinder 42 in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
As illustrated in
As described above, the rear deck 1g has the flap door 41 fitting in the trench 1n so as not to have the upper surface of the flap door 41 protruding from the upper surface of the rear deck 1g. Thus, in the small watercraft 1, even if the rear deck 1g includes the flap door 41, an occupant who is walking on the rear deck 1g would not stumble over the flap door 41 in the closed state.
The trench 1n has a groove 1p formed on its outer edge along the entire circumference of the opening 1m. The groove 1p has drain holes 1q at four corners. The trench 1n is provided with a sealing member 1r on its inner edge along the entire circumference of the opening 1m (see
As illustrated in
One of the windows 18 on the port side can be opened and closed by being pulled up and pushed down, by using a buried handle formed on the on the starboard side, with a hinge 18e formed in an end portion on the port side serving as a rotational axis. Similarly, one of the windows 18 on the starboard side can be opened and closed by being pulled up and pushed down, by using a buried handle formed on the on the starboard side, with a hinge 18e formed in an end portion on the port side serving as a rotational axis. In other words, the left and right windows 18 can be rotated in the left and right directions to be opened and closed in a manner similar to the double door.
The windows 18 have a frame 18a, a rib 18b, and a transparent glass plate 18c (tempered glass) surrounded by the frame 18a and the rib 18b. The transparent glass plate 18c of the rear deck 1g includes a transparent glass plate with no color or a colored transparent glass plate. Thus, inside of the engine room 1d of the small watercraft 1 can be observed from an upper part of the rear deck 1g (flap door 41) through the transparent glass plate 18c and the openings 41b of the window 18. Thus, in the small watercraft 1, a state of the engine 23 in the engine room 1d can be checked without opening the rear deck 1g.
As illustrated in
As described above, the flap door 41 has the windows 18 respectively fitting in the left and right trenches 41c so as not to have the upper surface of the windows 18 protruding from the upper surface of the flap door 41. Thus, in the small watercraft 1, even if the flap door 41 includes the windows 18, an occupant who is walking on the flap door 41 would not stumble over the windows 18 in the closed state.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Similarly, in the flap door 41, the drain pipes 43 are respectively connected to the drain holes 41e. The drain pipes 43 respectively connected to the drain holes 41e are connected to the concentrated drain pipe 44 that is connected to the outside of the watercraft. Thus, the water that has entered the transom of the rear deck 1g can be discharged outside of the watercraft from the drain holes 1q through the drain pipes 43, and the concentrated drain pipe 44.
The inboard section (in the cabin 1c) of the small watercraft 1 can be entered through the gateway 1i from the rear deck 1g. As illustrated in
As described above, the rear deck 1g has the trench 1n in which the flap door 41 in the closed state fits. The flap door 41 has the trench 41c in which the window 18 in the closed state fits. Thus, even when the rear deck 1g of the small watercraft 1 has the flap door 41 and the windows 18, a person walking on the rear deck 1g would not stumble over the flap door 41 and the windows 18 in the closed state.
As illustrated in
The transom gate 1h in the closed state has the side surface on the side of the rear deck 1g in contact with a reception portion 1t provided to the transom. The reception portion 1t protrudes from side surface of the transom facing the left and the right side surfaces of the transom gate 1h by a predetermined width. The reception portion 1t comes into contact with the side surface of the transom gate 1h in the closed state on the side of the rear deck 1g. The reception portion 1t has a partial recess that is formed in the side surface and incorporates a socket 1u for an external utility.
The transom gate 1h of the small watercraft 1 includes the extension portion 17 that is a flat plate member. The extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h can be accommodated within the transom gate 1h or can extend (pulled out) to the outer side from the transom gate 1h. The extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h is slid into the transom gate 1h to be accommodated when the transom gate 1h is closed. The extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h can slide to be extended to the outer side from the transom gate 1h that has been rotated to be laid rearward. The extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h can be extended in a direction toward a side surface of the small watercraft 1 (in the width direction of the small watercraft 1) from the transom gate 1h that has been rotated to be laid rearward. The extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h can be extended to an end of the hull 1a in the width direction (an end portion at a portion where the width of the hull 1a is the largest). The extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h can extend toward the left or the right.
As described above, in the small watercraft 1 having the transom gate 1h including the extension portion 17 that can be extended outward from the transom gate 1h that has been rotated and laid rearward, the extension portion 17 of the transom gate 1h can be extended from the transom gate 1h that has been rotated and laid rearward. Thus, for example, the small watercraft 1 has the transom gate 1h rotated to be laid rearward and the extension portion 17 extended when a person moves from the small watercraft 1 to a land (for example, a pier). Thus, the person can more easily move from the small watercraft 1 to the land compared with a configuration in which the transom gate 1h includes no extension portion 17.
As illustrated in
The present invention can be applied to a technique for a small watercraft.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2013-154039 | Jul 2013 | JP | national |
2013-257526 | Dec 2013 | JP | national |
2013-257529 | Dec 2013 | JP | national |
2013-258739 | Dec 2013 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2014/069065 | 7/17/2014 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2015/012196 | 1/29/2015 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country |
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S6422694 | Jan 1989 | JP |
H06115486 | Apr 1994 | JP |
3020710 | Feb 1996 | JP |
H09506573 | Jun 1997 | JP |
2009208655 | Sep 2009 | JP |
2013036940 | Mar 2013 | WO |
Entry |
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International Search Report corresponding to Application No. PCT/JP2014/069065; Date of Mailing: Sep. 9, 2014, with English translation. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20160152313 A1 | Jun 2016 | US |