ELECTRIC OUTBOARD MOTOR

An electric outboard motor for propelling a boat, includes: a propeller unit; a motor; a first battery and a second battery; an accommodation portion; and a support portion. The first battery is disposed in the accommodation portion such that a thickness direction thereof is an upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor, and is located above the support portion. The second battery is disposed in the accommodation portion such that a thickness direction thereof is a front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor, and is located rearward of an upper portion of the support portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-148163 filed on Sep. 13, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electric outboard motor for propelling a boat.

BACKGROUND ART

An electric outboard motor includes a motor serving as a power source that generates propulsion of a boat, a propeller that converts power of the motor into propulsion, a propeller shaft to which the propeller is fixed, a transom bracket for attaching the electric outboard motor to a transom of the boat, and the like.

There are two types of electric outboard motors, one with the propeller, the propeller shaft, and the motor disposed at a lower portion of the electric outboard motor below a water surface, and one with the propeller and the propeller shaft disposed at the lower portion of the electric outboard motor below the water surface, the motor disposed at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor above the water surface, and a drive shaft provided between the motor and the propeller shaft to transmit power of the motor to the propeller shaft.

Further, a battery is required to drive the motor, and there are two types of electric outboard motors, one with the battery disposed in the boat and one with the battery disposed inside the electric outboard motor. JP2005-162054A (Patent Literature 1) discloses an electric outboard motor including a motor case at an upper portion and a battery in the motor case.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

To extend a range of a boat when sailing with an electric outboard motor, it is necessary to increase a battery capacity. An increase in the battery capacity increases a battery size. When an accommodation portion such as a case is provided at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor and a battery is disposed in the accommodation portion, the accommodation portion may largely protrude upward or rearward due to an increase in a size of the battery. When the accommodation portion largely protrudes upward or rearward, the electric outboard motor may have an increased size, which may impair a weight balance of the electric outboard motor.

SUMMARY

The present invention is made in view of, for example, the problem described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric outboard motor that includes a battery in an accommodation portion at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor and can prevent upward and rearward protrusions of the accommodation portion.

To solve the problem described above, the present invention provides an electric outboard motor for propelling a boat, the electric outboard motor including: a propeller unit including a propeller shaft, a propeller fixed to the propeller shaft, and a case rotatably supporting the propeller shaft, the propeller unit being disposed at a lower portion of the electric outboard motor; a motor configured to rotate the propeller shaft; a first battery and a second battery configured to supply electric power for driving the motor to the motor; an accommodation portion accommodating the first battery and the second battery, the accommodation portion being disposed at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor; and a support portion formed in a columnar shape extending in an upper-lower direction, the propeller unit being supported at a lower portion and the accommodation portion being supported at an upper portion. Each of the first battery and the second battery is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a thickness dimension smallest among a length dimension, a width dimension, and the thickness dimension. The first battery is disposed in the accommodation portion such that a thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor, and is located above the support portion. The second battery is disposed in the accommodation portion such that a thickness direction thereof is a front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor, and is located rearward of the upper portion of the support portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery in an accommodation portion at an upper portion of an electric outboard motor and prevent upward and rearward protrusions of the accommodation portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG.1Ashows an electric outboard motor1according to a first embodiment of the present invention when viewed from left. InFIG.1A, the electric outboard motor1is an electric outboard motor for propelling a boat, and includes a propeller unit2disposed at a lower portion of the electric outboard motor1, a motor6, a first battery11and a second battery12that supply electric power for driving the motor6to the motor6, an accommodation portion7disposed at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor1and accommodating the first battery11and the second battery12, and a support portion8formed in a columnar shape extending in an upper-lower direction with the propeller unit2supported at a lower portion and the accommodation portion7supported at an upper portion. The propeller unit2includes a propeller shaft3, a propeller4fixed to the propeller shaft3, and a case5that rotatably supports the propeller shaft3. In the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment, the motor6is disposed in the case5of the propeller unit2, and the propeller shaft3rotates by power of the motor6.

Each of the first battery11and the second battery12is, for example, a battery module or a battery pack including a plurality of cells. Each of the first battery11and the second battery12is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a thickness dimension smallest among a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension. The first battery11is disposed in the accommodation portion7such that a thickness direction thereof is an upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor1, and the second battery12is disposed in the accommodation portion7such that a thickness direction thereof is a front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor1. The first battery11is disposed above the support portion8, and the second battery12is disposed rearward of the upper portion of the support portion8.

In the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, by disposing the first battery11formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the thickness dimension smallest among the length dimension, the width dimension, and the thickness dimension in an orientation in which the thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor1, a dimension of the first battery11in the upper-lower direction can be minimized. By disposing the first battery11above the support portion8and disposing the second battery12rearward of the upper portion of the support portion8, the first battery11can be provided in a vicinity of an upper end of the support portion8while avoiding interfering with the second battery12. In this way, since the dimension of the first battery11in the upper-lower direction is minimized and the first battery11is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the support portion8, a distance D1between an upper surface of the accommodation portion7and the upper end of the support portion8can be shortened, and the accommodation portion7can be prevented from protruding upward.

Further, by disposing the second battery12formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the thickness dimension smallest among the length dimension, the width dimension, and the thickness dimension in an orientation in which the thickness direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor1, a dimension of the second battery12in the front-rear direction can be minimized. By disposing the first battery11above the support portion8and disposing the second battery12rearward of the upper portion of the support portion8, the second battery12can be provided in a vicinity of the upper portion of the support portion8while avoiding interfering with the first battery11. In this way, since the dimension of the second battery12in the front-rear direction is minimized and the second battery12is provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the support portion8, a distance D2between a rear surface of the accommodation portion7and the upper portion of the support portion8can be shortened, and the accommodation portion7can be prevented from protruding rearward.

According to the electric outboard motor1in the first embodiment of the present invention as described above, the accommodation portion7can be prevented from protruding upward and rearward, and thus it is possible to prevent an increase in a size of the electric outboard motor1and deterioration of a weight balance of the electric outboard motor1.

This effect of the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be further studied.FIG.1Bshows an electric outboard motor151according to a first comparative example when viewed from left. In the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example, a first battery161and a second battery162are accommodated in an accommodation portion157. The first battery161and the second battery162are respectively the same as the first battery11and the second battery12provided in the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the accommodation portion157of the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example, the first battery161is disposed such that a thickness direction thereof is an upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor151, and the second battery162is also disposed such that a thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor151. The second battery162is disposed above the first battery161and overlaps the first battery161. In the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example, since the first battery161and the second battery162overlap in the upper-lower direction, a distance D3between an upper surface of the accommodation portion157and an upper end of the support portion158in the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example is longer than the distance DI between the upper surface of the accommodation portion7and the upper end of the support portion8in the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As a result, the accommodation portion157of the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example protrudes upward compared to the accommodation portion7of the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example, the electric outboard motor151has a large height dimension since the accommodation portion157protrudes upward. In addition, the second battery162having a large weight is accommodated in a part of the accommodation portion157that protrudes upward, and thus an upper portion of the electric outboard motor151is remarkably heavier than a lower portion thereof, which may impair a weight balance of the electric outboard motor151.

FIG.1Cshows an electric outboard motor171according to a second comparative example when viewed from left. In the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example, a first battery181and a second battery182are accommodated in an accommodation portion177. The first battery181and the second battery182are respectively the same as the first battery11and the second battery12provided in the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the accommodation portion177of the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example, the first battery181is disposed such that a thickness direction thereof is a front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor171, and the second battery182is also disposed such that a thickness direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor171. The second battery182is disposed rearward of the first battery181and overlaps the first battery181in the front-rear direction. In the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example, since the first battery181and the second battery182overlap in the front-rear direction, a distance D4between a rear surface of the accommodation portion177and an upper portion of the support portion178in the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example is longer than the distance D2between the rear surface of the accommodation portion7and the upper portion of the support portion8in the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As a result, the accommodation portion177of the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example protrudes rearward compared to the accommodation portion7of the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example, the electric outboard motor171has a large length dimension (length in the front-rear direction) since the accommodation portion177protrudes rearward. In addition, the second battery182having a large weight is accommodated in a part of the accommodation portion177that protrudes rearward, and thus a rear portion of the electric outboard motor171is remarkably heavier than a front portion thereof, which may impair a weight balance of the electric outboard motor171.

As can be seen from a comparison among the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the electric outboard motor151according to the first comparative example, and the electric outboard motor171according to the second comparative example, according to the electric outboard motor1in the first embodiment of the present invention, an accommodation portion can be appropriately prevented from protruding both upward and rearward, and thus it is possible to appropriately prevent an increase in a height dimension and a length dimension of an electric outboard motor and deterioration of a weight balance of the electric outboard motor. Further, according to the electric outboard motor1in the first embodiment of the present invention, since the two batteries11and12are provided, a battery capacity can be increased, and a range of a boat can be extended.

Second Embodiment

FIG.2shows an electric outboard motor21according to a second embodiment of the present invention when viewed from left. In the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, as shown inFIG.1A, the motor6is disposed in the case5of the propeller unit2. In the electric outboard motor21according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG.2, a motor26is disposed in an accommodation portion27at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor21. A first battery31and a second battery32accommodated in the accommodation portion27are respectively the same as the first battery11and the second battery12provided in the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Also in the electric outboard motor21according to the second embodiment of the present invention, similar to the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first battery31is disposed in the accommodation portion27such that a thickness direction thereof is an upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor21, and the second battery32is disposed in the accommodation portion27such that a thickness direction thereof is a front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor21. The first battery31is disposed above a support portion28, and the motor26is disposed between an upper end of the support portion28and the first battery31. The second battery32is disposed rearward of an upper portion of the support portion28as well as rearward of the motor26. The support portion28is formed in a tubular shape, and is provided therein with a drive shaft29extending in the upper-lower direction. Similar to the propeller unit2of the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a propeller unit22includes a propeller shaft23, a propeller24, and a case25, and the case25is provided therein with a gear mechanism30. The propeller shaft23rotates by power of the motor26.

The power of the motor26is transmitted to the propeller shaft23via the drive shaft29and the gear mechanism30. According to the electric outboard motor21in the second embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, similar to the electric outboard motor1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the accommodation portion27can be prevented from protruding upward and rearward.

EXAMPLES

Examples of the electric outboard motor of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.3to10. In the examples, description on upward (Ud), downward (Dd), forward (Fd), rearward (Bd), leftward (Ld), and rightward (Rd) directions follow arrows drawn on lower left inFIGS.3to7, and9A to10.

Electric Outboard Motor

FIG.3shows an electric outboard motor51according to an example of the present invention when viewed from front upper left.FIG.4shows the electric outboard motor51when viewed from left.FIG.5shows the electric outboard motor51when viewed from front.

The electric outboard motor51is a device attached to a transom of a boat to propel the boat. As shown inFIG.4, the electric outboard motor51includes a propeller unit52, a first battery61, a second battery62, a battery case57, a support portion65, a transom bracket71, a swivel bracket74, a steering shaft75, a bar handle76, and a fine dust capture device77.

The propeller unit52is disposed at a lower portion of the electric outboard motor51, and is located below a water surface in a state in which the electric outboard motor51is attached to a boat. The propeller unit52includes a motor53, a propeller shaft54, a propeller55, and a propeller unit case56. The motor53is disposed at a front portion in the propeller unit case56. The propeller shaft54extends in a front-rear direction, and a front portion of the propeller shaft54is rotatably supported by a rear portion in the propeller unit case56. The propeller shaft54is connected to an output shaft of the motor53, is integrally formed with the output shaft of the motor53, and rotates by power of the motor53. The propeller55is fixed to a rear end portion of the propeller shaft54and rotates integrally with the propeller shaft54. The propeller unit case56is a sealed columnar case.

The first battery61and the second battery62are electrically connected to the motor53and supply electric power for driving the motor53to the motor53. Each of the first battery61and the second battery62is, for example, a battery module or a battery pack including a plurality of cells. Each of the first battery61and the second battery62is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a thickness dimension smallest among a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension.

The battery case57is disposed at an upper portion of the electric outboard motor51, and is located above the water surface in the state in which the electric outboard motor51is attached to a boat. The first battery61and the second battery62are accommodated in the battery case57. The battery case57is a specific example of an “accommodation portion”.

FIG.6Ashows a state in which the battery case57is detached from the electric outboard motor51.FIG.6Bshows the battery case57detached from the electric outboard motor51when viewed from front lower left. As shown inFIG.6A, the battery case57is attachable to and detachable from the electric outboard motor51. As shown inFIGS.3to5andFIG.6B, the battery case57is formed in a bottomed and covered triangular tubular shape in which an axis extends in a left-right direction. The battery case57includes a left wall portion57A, a right wall portion57B, an upper wall portion57C, a rear wall portion57D, and an attachment wall portion57E. The left wall portion57A and the right wall portion57B are each formed in a flat plate shape extending in an upper-lower direction and the front-rear direction, and when viewed from left or right, each of the left wall portion57A and the right wall portion57B has a substantially isosceles right triangular shape. The upper wall portion57C is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and when viewed from above, the upper wall portion57C has a rectangular shape elongated in the front-rear direction. The rear wall portion57D is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the upper-lower direction and the left-right direction, and when viewed from rear, the rear wall portion57D has a rectangular shape elongated in the upper-lower direction. The attachment wall portion57E is formed in a flat plate shape extending from a front edge of the upper wall portion57C to a lower edge of the rear wall portion57D. The attachment wall portion57E is inclined such that a rear end thereof is located below a front end thereof, and an inclination angle thereof relative to a horizontal direction is substantially 45 degrees. As shown inFIG.6B, the attachment wall portion57E is formed with, in a central side part of an outer surface thereof, a concave portion58fitted with a convex portion67of an attachment plate portion66to be described later.

A space is defined in the battery case57, and the first battery61and the second battery62are disposed in the space. The first battery61and the second battery62are surrounded by the left wall portion57A, the right wall portion57B, the upper wall portion57C, the rear wall portion57D, and the attachment wall portion57E.

As shown inFIG.3, the battery case57is further provided with a battery case conveyance grip59. The battery case conveyance grip59is disposed at a part at which the upper wall portion57C and the rear wall portion57D of the battery case57intersect, that is, at a rear end portion of the upper wall portion57C or an upper end portion of the rear wall portion57D. When the battery case57is viewed from left or right, as shown inFIG.6A, the battery case conveyance grip59is disposed at an apex of each of the left wall portion57A and the right wall portion57B formed in a substantially isosceles right triangular shape. The apex of the left wall portion57A and the apex of the right wall portion57B protrude upward and rearward, and the battery case conveyance grip59extends in the left-right direction in a manner of bridging a top end portion of a part protruding upward and rearward from the apex of the left wall portion57A and a top end portion of a part protruding upward and rearward from the apex of the right wall portion57B. A user can grip the battery case conveyance grip59and convey the battery case57detached from the electric outboard motor51. In a state in which the battery case57is mounted on the electric outboard motor51, the user can grip the battery case conveyance grip59and tilt up the electric outboard motor51.

As shown inFIG.4, the support portion65is a member that couples and supports the battery case57and the propeller unit52. The propeller unit52is supported at a lower portion of the support portion65, and the battery case57is supported at an upper portion of the support portion65.

Specifically, the support portion65is formed in a columnar shape extending in the upper-lower direction, and the propeller unit case56is fixed to a lower end portion of the support portion65. As shown inFIG.6A, the attachment plate portion66for attaching the attachment wall portion57E of the battery case57is provided at an upper end portion of the support portion65. The attachment plate portion66is formed in a plate shape inclined such that a rear end thereof is located below a front end thereof. An inclination angle of the attachment plate portion66relative to the horizontal direction is substantially 45 degrees. A substantially central portion of a lower surface of the attachment plate portion66is fixed to the upper end portion of the support portion65.

An upper surface of the attachment plate portion66has a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the attachment wall portion57E of the battery case57. The attachment plate portion66is formed with the convex portion67on a central side part of the upper surface thereof, and the convex portion67has a shape corresponding to a shape of the concave portion58formed in the attachment wall portion57E of the battery case57. When the battery case57is mounted on the electric outboard motor51, the attachment wall portion57E of the battery case57is placed on the attachment plate portion66of the support portion65. At this time, the attachment plate portion66and the attachment wall portion57E overlap, and the convex portion67formed on the attachment plate portion66is fitted into the concave portion58of the attachment wall portion57E. Although not shown, the attachment plate portion66and the attachment wall portion57E are provided with a fixing mechanism that detachably bonds and fixes the attachment plate portion66and the attachment wall portion57E.

As shown inFIG.4, the support portion65is provided with, at a rear portion thereof, an outboard motor conveyance grip68for conveying the electric outboard motor51detached from a boat by the user.

The transom bracket71is a clamp mechanism for attaching the electric outboard motor51to a transom of a boat. As shown inFIG.4, the transom bracket71is disposed at a front portion of an upper end side part of the support portion65. The transom bracket71is provided with, at a front portion thereof, a clamp screw72for fastening the electric outboard motor51to the transom. The transom bracket71is provided with, at a rear portion thereof, a trim angle adjusting portion73for adjusting a trim angle of the electric outboard motor51.

The swivel bracket74is a bracket for making the electric outboard motor51attached to the transom pivotable in the left-right direction relative to the boat, and is integrally formed at the rear portion of the transom bracket71. The steering shaft75is pivotably attached to the swivel bracket74, and is fixed to a front portion of the upper portion of the support portion65. Accordingly, the support portion65can pivot relative to the swivel bracket74with an axis of the steering shaft75as a pivot axis, and as a result, the electric outboard motor51can pivot in the left-right direction relative to the boat.

The bar handle76is a handle that pivots the electric outboard motor51in the left-right direction relative to the boat in order to steer the boat. The bar handle76is disposed above and forward of the support portion65. Specifically, the bar handle76is attached to an end portion on an upper front side of the attachment plate portion66. The user can pivot the electric outboard motor51to right or left relative to the boat by grasping a top end portion of the bar handle76and moving the bar handle76to left or right, and can change an orientation of the propeller55to right or left.

A base end portion of the bar handle76is attached to the attachment plate portion66such that the bar handle76is pivotable in the upper-lower direction about an axial center K relative to the attachment plate portion66. The user can pivot the bar handle76in the upper-lower direction within a range of substantially 90 degrees from a position in which the bar handle76extends in the horizontal direction to a position in which the bar handle76extends in the substantially upper-lower direction. Accordingly, the user can adjust a height of the top end portion of the bar handle76. When the user detaches the electric outboard motor51from the boat and stores the electric outboard motor51in a warehouse or the like, the user can change an orientation of the bar handle76such that an extending direction of the bar handle76is substantially parallel to an extending direction of the support portion65. This facilitates storage of the electric outboard motor51.

The fine dust capture device77is a device that captures fine dust such as microplastic scattered in a water area in which the boat sails. The fine dust capture device77is provided with a passage for taking in water from a front portion of the fine dust capture device77and discharging the taken water from a rear portion of the fine dust capture device77, and a filter for capturing fine dust in an intermediate portion of the passage. As shown inFIG.5, the fine dust capture device77is disposed between a lower end of the support portion65and the propeller unit case56.

Arrangements of Batteries

FIG.7shows a section of the electric outboard motor51cut along a cutting line VII-VII inFIG.5when viewed from left (right inFIG.5).

As shown inFIG.7, in the battery case57, the first battery61is disposed such that a thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor51, and the second battery62is disposed such that a thickness direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor51.

The first battery61is located above the support portion65. Specifically, the first battery61is disposed in a position intersecting a straight line L1that passes a center of the support portion65in the upper-lower direction. The second battery62is located rearward of the upper portion of the support portion65. Specifically, the second battery62is disposed in a position intersecting a straight line L2that passes an intersection Q between an upper end surface S of the support portion65and the straight line L1and extends in the front-rear direction. InFIG.7, the upper end surface S of the support portion65is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

The first battery61is disposed such that an upper surface61A thereof is parallel to the upper wall portion57C of the battery case57and is disposed in a position in a vicinity of the upper wall portion57C. The second battery62is disposed such that a rear surface62A thereof is parallel to the rear wall portion57D of the battery case57and is disposed in a position in a vicinity of the rear wall portion57D.

A position P15of an upper end of the second battery62is lower than a position P14of a lower surface of the first battery61. In the front-rear direction, a position P5of a rear end of the first battery61aligns with a position of the rear surface62A of the second battery62.

A position P17of a lower end of the second battery62is lower than a position P16of an upper end of the transom bracket71. A position P2of a front end of the first battery61is forward of a rear end of the transom bracket71, specifically, a position P3of a rear end of the trim angle adjusting portion73.

The position P15of the upper end of the second battery62is lower than a position of the base end portion of the bar handle76, specifically, a position P13of the axial center K of the pivoting of the bar handle76in the upper-lower direction. In the upper-lower direction, the position of the first battery61substantially aligns with the position of the base end portion of the bar handle76.

The attachment plate portion66overlaps the first battery61in a plan view. That is, the position P2of the front end of the first battery61is located forward of a position P4of a rear end of the attachment plate portion66, and the position P5of the rear end of the first battery61is located rearward of a position PI of the front end of the attachment plate portion66. The attachment plate portion66overlaps the second battery62in a front view. That is, the position P15of the upper end of the second battery62is located above a position P18of the lower end of the attachment plate portion66, and the position P17of the lower end of the second battery62is located below a position P11of an upper end of the attachment plate portion66.

In addition, as shown inFIG.5, the first battery61and the second battery62are disposed substantially at a center of the battery case57in the left-right direction.

The first battery61is fixed to an inner surface of each of the upper wall portion57C, the left wall portion57A, and the right wall portion57B of the battery case57using a bracket or the like. The second battery62is fixed to an inner surface of each of the rear wall portion57D, the left wall portion57A, and the right wall portion57B of the battery case57using a bracket or the like.

Utilization as Mobile Batteries

FIG.8shows a state in which the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62is detached from the electric outboard motor51and placed on a floor surface or the like (for example, a deck of the boat, a ground, and a desk).

As shown inFIG.8, the batteries61and62can be used as mobile batteries when the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62is detached from the electric outboard motor51. As shown inFIG.6B, the concave portion58is formed in the central side part of the outer surface of the attachment wall portion57E of the battery case57, and an outer peripheral side part of the outer surface of the attachment wall portion57E is a flat surface. Accordingly, the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62can be stably placed on the floor surface or the like when the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62is placed on the floor surface or the like with the attachment wall portion57E facing downward.

The user can grip the battery case conveyance grip59and carry the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62. Since the two batteries61and62are disposed in the battery case57as shown inFIG.7, a center of gravity G of the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62is located on a straight line L3, which passes a center point of the attachment wall portion57E of the battery case57and is orthogonal to the attachment wall portion57E, between the attachment wall portion57E and the battery case conveyance grip59, as shown inFIG.8. Accordingly, when the user grips the battery case conveyance grip59and lifts the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62, the outer peripheral side part of the outer surface of the attachment wall portion57E is horizontal. Accordingly, when placing the battery case57on the floor surface or the like after gripping the battery case conveyance grip59and lifting and conveying the battery case57accommodating the batteries61and62, the user can easily place the battery case57on the floor surface or the like in a stable state by lowering the battery case57in the upper-lower direction.

As described above, in the electric outboard motor51according to the example of the present invention, the first battery61formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the thickness dimension smallest among the length dimension, the width dimension, and the thickness dimension is disposed in the battery case57such that the thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor51and is located above the support portion65, and the second battery62formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the thickness dimension smallest among the length dimension, the width dimension, and the thickness dimension is disposed in the battery case57such that the thickness direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor51and is located rearward of the upper portion of the support portion65. With this configuration, the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward and rearward.

That is, a dimension of the first battery61in the upper-lower direction can be minimized by disposing the first battery61formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the thickness dimension smallest among the length dimension, the width dimension, and the thickness dimension in an orientation in which the thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction of the electric outboard motor51. By disposing the first battery61above the support portion65and disposing the second battery62rearward of the upper portion of the support portion65, the first battery61can be provided in a vicinity of an upper end of the support portion65while avoiding interfering with the second battery62. In this way, since the dimension of the first battery61in the upper-lower direction is minimized and the first battery61is provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the support portion65, a distance between an upper surface of the battery case57and the upper end of the support portion65can be shortened, and the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward. Further, by disposing the second battery62formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having the thickness dimension smallest among the length dimension, the width dimension, and the thickness dimension in an orientation in which the thickness direction thereof is the front-rear direction of the electric outboard motor51, a dimension of the second battery62in the front-rear direction can be minimized. By disposing the first battery61above the support portion65and disposing the second battery62rearward of the upper portion of the support portion65, the second battery62can be provided in a vicinity of the upper portion of the support portion65while avoiding interfering with the first battery61. In this way, since the dimension of the second battery62in the front-rear direction is minimized and the second battery12is provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the support portion8, a distance between a rear surface of the battery case57and the upper portion of the support portion65can be shortened, and the battery case57can be prevented from protruding rearward.

According to the electric outboard motor51in the present example as described above, since the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward and rearward, it is possible to accommodate the two batteries61and62in the battery case57and prevent an increase in a size of the electric outboard motor51and deterioration of a weight balance of the electric outboard motor51.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, as shown inFIG.7, the first battery61is disposed in a position intersecting the straight line L1that passes the center of the support portion65in the upper-lower direction, and the second battery62is disposed in a position intersecting the straight line L2that passes the intersection Q between the upper end surface S of the support portion65and the straight line L1and extends in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the first battery61and the second battery62can be provided in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the support portion65, and the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward and rearward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the position P15of the upper end of the second battery62is lower than the position P12of the upper surface61A of the first battery61. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the upper end of the second battery62from protruding above the upper surface61A of the first battery61, and thus the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the rear end of the first battery61aligns with the rear surface62A of the second battery62in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the rear end of the first battery61can be prevented from protruding rearward beyond the rear surface62A of the second battery62, and thus the battery case57can be prevented from protruding rearward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the upper end of the second battery62is located below the lower surface of the first battery61. Accordingly, the second battery62can be provided in the vicinity of the upper portion of the support portion65while avoiding interfering with the first battery61. Accordingly, the battery case57can be prevented from protruding rearward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the lower end of the second battery62is located below the upper end of the transom bracket71. By lowering a position of the second battery62in this way, a position of the first battery61can be lowered while avoiding interfering with the second battery62. Accordingly, the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the front end of the first battery61is located forward of the rear end of the transom bracket71. By disposing the first battery61on a front side of the electric outboard motor51in this way, a rear end portion of the first battery61can be prevented from protruding rearward. Accordingly, the battery case57can be prevented from protruding rearward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the upper end of the second battery62is located below the base end portion of the bar handle76. By lowering a position of the second battery62in this way, a position of the first battery61can be lowered while avoiding interfering with the second battery62. Accordingly, the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the position of the first battery61substantially aligns with a position of the base end portion of the bar handle76in the upper-lower direction. By lowering the position of the first battery61in this way, the battery case57can be prevented from protruding upward.

In the electric outboard motor51according to the present example, the attachment plate portion66is provided at the upper end portion of the support portion65, and the attachment plate portion66is formed in a plate shape inclined such that the rear end is located below the front end. Further, the battery case57includes the attachment wall portion57E, and the attachment wall portion57E is formed in an inclined plate shape such that the rear end is located below the front end. When the battery case57is mounted on the electric outboard motor51, the attachment wall portion57E is placed on the attachment plate portion66, and the attachment plate portion66and the attachment wall portion57E overlap. When the battery case57is mounted on the electric outboard motor51, the attachment plate portion66overlaps the first battery61in a plan view and overlaps the second battery62in a front view. With such a configuration, the first battery61can be disposed above the support portion65, and the second battery62can be disposed rearward of the upper portion of the support portion65.

In the electric outboard motor according to the present example, the battery case57is formed in a bottomed and covered triangular tubular shape. This can increase rigidity of the battery case57.

In the above example, the rear surface of the second battery62aligns with the rear end of the first battery61in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown inFIG.9A, the second battery62may be disposed such that the rear surface thereof is located forward of the rear end of the first battery61. In this case, the first battery61is disposed such that the front end of the first battery61is located forward of the rear end of the transom bracket71, and the rear end portion of the first battery61is prevented from protruding rearward.

In the above example, the rear end of the first battery61aligns with the rear surface of the second battery62in the front-rear direction, and the upper end of the second battery62is located below the lower surface of the first battery61. As shown inFIG.9B, the first battery61and the second battery62may be disposed such that the rear end of the first battery61is located forward of a front surface of the second battery62and the upper end of the second battery62aligns with the upper surface of the first battery61in the upper-lower direction.

In a modification shown inFIG.9B, the upper surface of the first battery61aligns with the upper end of the second battery62in the upper-lower direction. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.9C, the first battery61may be disposed such that the upper surface thereof is located below the upper end of the second battery62. In this case, the second battery62is disposed such that the lower end thereof is located lower than the upper end of the transom bracket71, and an upper end portion of the second battery62is prevented from protruding upward.

The first battery61and the second battery62may be in contact with each other, or may be disposed with a gap in between. In the above example, the upper end of the second battery62is in a close vicinity of the lower surface of the first battery61, and a gap in between is small. Alternatively, as shown inFIG.9D, for example, when the length dimension of the first battery61or the second battery62is small, the gap between the first battery61and the second battery62may be increased.

In the above-described example, the steering shaft75is fixed to the front portion of the upper portion of the support portion65, and the steering shaft75is pivotably attached to the swivel bracket74. Alternatively, the present invention is not limited thereto. As in an electric outboard motor81shown inFIG.10, an entire support portion82may be formed by a steering shaft. That is, the battery case57may be supported at an upper end portion of the steering shaft, the propeller unit52may be supported at a lower end portion of the steering shaft, and the steering shaft may be attached to the swivel bracket74.

In the above example, the battery case57is formed in a bottomed and covered triangular tubular shape. Alternatively, in the present invention, the shape of the battery case (accommodation portion) is not limited to a bottomed and covered triangular tubular shape.

The present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and an electric outboard motor with such a change is also included in the technical concept of the present invention.