Patent ID: 12196128

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing an appearance in an embodiment of a power generation device according to the present invention.FIG.2is a cross-sectional view of the power generation device.FIG.3is a front view showing an interior of the power generation device of the present embodiment.FIG.4is a side view of a part showing the interior of the power generation device of the present embodiment.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, in a first embodiment, a power generation device1includes an approximately rectangular parallelepiped casing10made of a resin. The casing10includes a front plate10alocated on a front side (a left side inFIG.2), a pair of side plates10blocated on opposite right and left sides, a rear plate10clocated on a rear side (a right side inFIG.2), and a bottom plate10dlocated on a downside.

An engine11is housed on the rear side (the right side inFIG.2) in the casing10. Furthermore, a fuel tank12is housed on the front side (the left side inFIG.2) in the casing10. A refueling port13of the fuel tank12protruding outward from the casing10is provided in a top plate of the casing10. A refueling cap14to open/close the refueling port13is detachably attached to the refueling port13.

Also, an inverter case24in which an inverter (not shown in the drawing) including a circuit substrate is housed is disposed below the fuel tank12.

Furthermore, a handle15is provided on an upper surface of the casing10, and a plurality of legs16supporting the casing10are attached to a lower surface of the casing10.

The handle15is formed by joining the pair of side plates10b.

An alternator20is attached to an output shaft17protruding forward from the engine11, the alternator being coaxial with the output shaft17. Also, a fan21is coaxially attached to the output shaft17in front of the alternator20.

A recoil22to start the engine11is disposed in front of the fan21.

Then, the alternator20is rotated and driven to generate power through driving of the engine11, and the fan21is rotated and driven to take in external air of the casing10and to send the air on an engine11side.

Inside the casing10and outside the engine11, a shroud23that guides, around the engine11, the air sent by the fan21is disposed.

At a front end of the shroud23, a fan cover30that covers the alternator20and the fan21is disposed. The fan cover30is formed in a tapered shape so that a front side of the cover has a smaller diameter, and a ventilation opening31is formed in a front end portion of the fan cover30. The ventilation opening31is formed approximately concentrically with a rotary shaft of the engine11.

A control panel37in which a power outlet35, a manual operation button36and others are arranged is attached to a lower part of the front plate10aof the casing10.

Furthermore, in each of the side plates10bin a part of a front surface of the casing10below the control panel37, an intake port18through which outside air is taken into the casing10is formed, and in a rear surface of the casing10, an exhaust port (not shown) is formed.

Then, the engine11is driven to rotate and drive the fan21, and thereby, the exterior air of the casing10is taken inward through the intake port18, and flows into the fan cover30via the ventilation opening31. While the air flows through a space between the engine11and the shroud23, the engine11is cooled. Afterward, the air is exhausted to outside through the exhaust port.

Next, description will be made in detail as to a fixing structure for the fuel tank12and the inverter case24.

FIG.5is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of an upper fixing part.FIG.6is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of an intermediate fixing part.FIG.7is a perspective view showing a lower tank mount member of the intermediate fixing part.FIG.8is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a structure of a lower fixing part.

First, the structure of the upper fixing part will be described.

As shown inFIG.5, an upper fixing bracket41forming an upper fixing part40is integrally provided at an upper end of the fuel tank12. The upper fixing bracket41is disposed at a position corresponding to the handle15of the casing10.

The upper fixing bracket41includes an engaging portion42, or support part, which is formed in an annular shape. The engaging portion42includes a flange portion43formed at an inner circumferential edge, and the engaging portion42has a cross section formed in an approximately H-shape.

In a hole portion42aof the engaging portion42of the upper fixing bracket41, a pair of upper tank mount members44are provided to sandwich the flange portion43of the engaging portion42from opposite sides of the engaging portion. Each of the upper tank mount members44is made of an elastic material such as a rubber.

A through hole45extending through the casing10in a right-left direction is formed in each of a handle15part of the casing10and a center between the upper tank mount members44. A cylindrical collar member46is inserted into the through hole45.

That is, the upper fixing part40is configured such that a support part of the upper fixing bracket41provided in the fuel tank12is supported, via the pair of upper tank mount members44sandwiching this support part, by the collar member46inserted into the through hole45. Consequently, the fuel tank12is fixed in a state of being hung from the handle15part of the casing10by the collar member46extending through the through hole45in the casing10.

Next, the structure of the intermediate fixing part will be described.

As shown inFIG.6, a lower fixing bracket51forming an intermediate fixing part50is integrally provided on a lower surface side of the fuel tank12. Two lower fixing brackets51are provided via a predetermined interval in a right-left direction of the fuel tank12. The respective lower fixing brackets51have a similar configuration, and hence, one of the lower fixing brackets51will be described.

The lower fixing bracket51includes a lower fixing piece52bonded to a lower surface of the fuel tank12, and a lower support piece53extending downward from the lower fixing piece52on a front plate10aside, and in the lower support piece53, a lower opening54is formed. At an inner circumferential edge of the lower opening54, a supporting flange55extending rearward is integrally formed.

As shown inFIG.7, a lower tank mount member60forming the intermediate fixing part50is disposed between a lower part of the fuel tank12and an upper part of the inverter case24, and the lower tank mount member60is made of an elastic material such as a rubber.

The lower tank mount member60includes a cylindrical body part61, and in the body part61, a support hole62extending through the body part in a front-rear direction is formed. On a front plate10aside of the body part61, a tapered portion63having a tip end formed in a tapered shape is provided, and in a central portion of the body part61in the front-rear direction, an annular groove64into which the supporting flange55of the lower fixing bracket51is to be inserted is formed.

That is, the lower tank mount member60is attached to the lower fixing bracket51of the fuel tank12via the annular groove64.

Furthermore, a buffer part65extending rearward is provided above and behind the body part61of the lower tank mount member60. In the present embodiment, the buffer part65has a shape including four protrusions66and three recesses67, each recess being formed between the respective protrusions66. The buffer part65is disposed so that an upper part of the buffer part abuts on the lower surface of the fuel tank12, and a lower part of the buffer part65abuts on an upper end portion of the inverter case24. The buffer part65located between the fuel tank12and the inverter case24has a function of absorbing shock between the fuel tank12and the inverter case24.

A recess69bulging out toward the inside of the casing10is formed at a position corresponding to the lower tank mount member60in the front plate10a.

The recess69faces a tip end portion of the tapered portion63of the lower tank mount member60, and a bolt62ais inserted from the recess69of the rear plate10cthrough the support hole62of the lower tank mount member60, and fastened to the inverter case24. Consequently, the lower part of the fuel tank12and the upper part of the inverter case24are fixed to the front plate10avia the lower tank mount member60.

That is, the intermediate fixing part50is configured to fasten and fix the front plate10ato the inverter case24with the bolt62a, via the lower fixing bracket51and the lower tank mount member60attached to the lower fixing bracket51. Consequently, the fuel tank12and the inverter case24are integrated and fixed to the front plate10a.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a fixed position of the fuel tank12by the upper fixing bracket41and the upper tank mount members44and a fixed position by the lower fixing bracket51and the lower tank mount member60are positions shifted from each other in the front-rear direction of the casing10.

For example, if external force is applied to a refueling cap14part of the fuel tank12from above, rotation moment directed downward about the engaging portion42of the upper fixing bracket41described above is generated in the fuel tank12.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the lower fixing bracket51is attached to face in a direction in which the rotation moment works, and the direction in which the rotation moment works coincides with a fastening direction with the bolt62a. Consequently, even if the external force is applied, a fastened portion with the bolt62ais hard to loosen.

On the front plate10aside of the inverter case24, a plurality of inclined and protruding cooling fins25are formed. Fixing protrusions26protruding toward the front plate10aside are formed on parts of the cooling fins25.

At a position corresponding to each of the fixing protrusions26of the front plate10a, a screw hole portion27is formed, and the front plate10aand the inverter case24are fastened and fixed with a bolt28through the screw hole portion27.

Next, the structure of the lower fixing part will be described.

As shown in the drawing, a lower fixing part70includes a lower receiving member71attached to a lower surface side of the inverter case24.

In the bottom plate10dof the casing10, a receiving portion72is formed in a recess shape, and the lower receiving member71is mounted on an upper surface of this receiving portion, to support the lower receiving member71.

Consequently, a lower surface of the inverter case24can be supported by the lower receiving member71, and the lower fixing part70can fix the inverter case24to the casing10, together with the intermediate fixing part50.

Next, an operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, when the recoil22is operated to start the engine11, the output shaft17is rotated through the driving of the engine11, and the alternator20is driven to generate power.

Simultaneously, the output shaft17is rotated, to rotate and drive the fan21.

When the fan21is driven, the external air of the casing10is taken inside through the intake port18, and this air flows through the ventilation opening31of the fan cover30into the fan cover30. The air flowing into the fan cover30flows through the space between the engine11and the shroud23to cool the engine11, and is then exhausted to outside through the exhaust port.

Furthermore, in a case of fixing the fuel tank12and the inverter case24to the casing10, the support part of the upper fixing bracket41forming the upper fixing part40is sandwiched between the upper tank mount members44, and in this state, the collar member46is inserted into the through hole45. Consequently, the fuel tank12is fixed in the state of being hung from the handle15part of the casing10.

Then, the front plate10aand the inverter case24are fastened with the bolt62a, via the lower fixing bracket51forming the intermediate fixing part50and the lower tank mount member60attached to the lower fixing bracket51. Consequently, the lower part of the fuel tank12and the upper part of the inverter case24are integrally fixed to the front plate10a.

Furthermore, the lower receiving member71forming the lower fixing part70is mounted on the upper surface of the receiving portion formed in the casing10, to fix the lower part of the inverter case24to the casing10.

Then, the fuel tank12is supported in the casing10by the upper fixing part40and the intermediate fixing part50, and the inverter case24is supported in the casing10by the intermediate fixing part50and the lower fixing part70, so that the fuel tank12and the inverter case24can be used as parts of a reinforcement member of the casing10. Consequently, the fuel tank12and the inverter case24can be fixed to the casing10without using an auxiliary frame.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the power generation device includes, in the casing10, an alternator that generates power through driving of an engine, the inverter case24that houses an inverter of the alternator, and the fuel tank12that stores fuel for the engine, the device including the upper fixing part40that fixes the upper part of the fuel tank12to the casing10, the intermediate fixing part50that fixes the lower part of the fuel tank12to the upper part of the inverter case24, and the lower fixing part70that fixes the lower part of the inverter case24to the casing10.

Consequently, the fuel tank12is supported in the casing10by the upper fixing part40and the intermediate fixing part50, and the inverter case24is supported in the casing10by the intermediate fixing part50and the lower fixing part70, so that the fuel tank12and the inverter case24can be used as the parts of the reinforcement member of the casing10. Consequently, the fuel tank12and the inverter case24can be fixed to the casing10without using the auxiliary frame.

As a result, a space where a reinforcement frame is to be placed becomes unnecessary, and formation of a reinforcing rib of the casing10or the like becomes unnecessary, so that the casing10can be reduced in size. Furthermore, the reinforcement frame becomes unnecessary, and hence, the power generation device can be reduced in weight. Furthermore, for example, a fuel pipe of the fuel tank12, a harness for the inverter or the like can be easily recognized from outside.

Also, in the present embodiment, the upper fixing part40includes the upper fixing bracket41provided in the upper part of the fuel tank12, the upper tank mount members44attached to the support part formed in the upper fixing bracket41, and the collar member46extending through the support part and the upper tank mount members44, the collar member being supported in the casing10.

Consequently, the collar member46of the upper fixing part40can fix the fuel tank12to the casing10via the support part of the upper fixing bracket41provided in the fuel tank12and the upper tank mount member44attached to this support part.

Further, in the present embodiment, the intermediate fixing part50includes the lower fixing bracket51provided in the lower part of the fuel tank12, and the lower tank mount member60attached to the lower fixing bracket51, and is configured to fasten and fix the front plate10aof the casing10and the inverter case24via the lower fixing bracket51and the lower tank mount member60.

Consequently, the front plate10aand the inverter case24are fastened via the lower fixing bracket51of the intermediate fixing part50and the lower tank mount member60attached to the lower fixing bracket51, so that the lower part of the fuel tank12and the upper part of the inverter case24can be fixed to the casing10.

Also, in the present embodiment, the lower fixing bracket51is attached to face in the direction in which the rotation moment of the external force works if the external force is applied to the fuel tank12, and the fastening direction of the front plate10aand the inverter case24coincides with the direction in which the rotation moment works.

Consequently, the device can include a structure where even if the external force is applied to the fuel tank12, the fastened portion is hard to loosen.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lower fixing part70includes the lower receiving member71provided in the lower part of the inverter case24, and the lower receiving member71is supported on the upper surface of the bottom plate10dof the casing10.

Consequently, the lower surface of the inverter case24can be supported by the lower receiving member71, and the lower fixing part70can fix the inverter case24to the casing10, together with the intermediate fixing part50.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the above described embodiment, the upper fixing part40is configured such that the support part of the upper fixing bracket41provided in the fuel tank12is supported, via the pair of upper tank mount members44sandwiching this support part, by the collar member46inserted into the through hole45.

The present embodiment includes a configuration where members such as the upper tank mount members44and the upper fixing bracket41are not used.

That is, in the present embodiment, the fuel tank12is fixed by using, as the upper fixing part40, a fixing member such as a bush made of an elastic material such as a rubber on an outer circumferential side of the refueling port13.

Consequently, an upper part of the fuel tank that is close to a handle is not fixed, and is released.

Furthermore, the lower part of the fuel tank12is fixed to the upper part of the inverter case24by use of the lower fixing bracket51forming the intermediate fixing part50in the same manner as in the above described embodiment.

Also, in the present embodiment, as in the above embodiments, the fuel tank12is fixed to the outer circumferential side of the refueling port13by use of the fixing member as the upper fixing part40, and hence, the fuel tank12and the inverter case24can be used as parts of the reinforcement member of the casing10. The fuel tank12and the inverter case24can be fixed to the casing10without using an auxiliary frame.

As a result, a space where a reinforcement frame is to be placed becomes unnecessary, and formation of a reinforcing rib of the casing10or the like becomes unnecessary, so that the casing10can be reduced in size. Furthermore, the reinforcement frame becomes unnecessary, and hence, the power generation device can be reduced in weight. Furthermore, for example, a fuel pipe of the fuel tank12, a harness for an inverter or the like can be easily recognized from outside.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1power generation device10casing10afront plate10bside plate10crear plate10dbottom plate11engine12fuel tank14refueling cap15handle17output shaft20alternator21fan24inverter case25cooling fin26fixing protrusion27hole portion28bolt40upper fixing part41upper fixing bracket42engaging portion44upper tank mount member46collar member50intermediate fixing part51lower fixing bracket60lower tank mount member70lower fixing part71lower receiving member72receiving portion