JPH08239090A - Submerged vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the spark generated from a motor from affecting a battery which generates hydrogen gas, by equipping this submerged vehicle with a battery, a motor, a power transmitting mechanism, a propeller, and a housing to cover them, and accommodating the battery within the airtight block provided in the housing. CONSTITUTION: A bulkhead 13 to partition a battery 1 and a motor 2 is provided in a housing 5, and a battery storage block is formed in independent watertight structure. Moreover, for a passage 6 provided in the latter half of the housing 5, its front end opens at the bottom of a vehicles, and its rear end opens rearward of the vehicle, and a propeller 4 is arranged at the rear end. And, propelling force is obtained by rotating a propeller 4 by the operation of the motor 2 through a power transmission mechanism, and jetting the water sucked from the bottom of the vehicle to the rearward of the vehicle. At this time, when a person operates it lying on his belly, there is no danger of clothes being sucked in the propeller 4, so he can use it safely.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an underwater vehicle for use by divers in scuba diving and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The prior art is Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-17832.
It is shown in JP-A-5-58388. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional underwater vehicle seen from the side, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the same underwater vehicle seen from above. In the figure, 1 is a battery, 2 is a motor driven by the same battery, 3 is a power transmission mechanism, 11 is a speed reducer interposed between the motor 2 and the power transmission mechanism 3, and 5 is a cover for the above. A housing 4 is a propeller attached to one end of the shaft of the power transmission mechanism 10, a nozzle 10 surrounds the propeller, and a nozzle fixing structure 12 fixes the nozzle 10 to the housing.

In such a conventional underwater vehicle, a propeller having a high propulsion efficiency is required in order to obtain a long operating time with one charge, and in order to improve the propulsion efficiency of the propeller 4, a propeller between the motor 2 and the propeller 4 is required. The speed reducer 11 is arranged at the lower part to reduce the rotation speed of the propeller 4, and the propeller 4 having a relatively large diameter is equipped. As for the arrangement of the equipment, the motor 2, the reduction gear 11, the power transmission mechanism 3 and the propeller 4 are arranged in the advancing (front-back) direction of the apparatus, and the nozzle 10 surrounding the propeller is aligned with the upper position of the nozzle at the upper part of the apparatus.
The position of the lower part of the nozzle is fixed to the housing 5 via the fixing structure 12 in a state of the appearance protruding from the lower part of the device. The water flow into the propeller 4 flows in from the entire circumferential position of the front end portion of the nozzle 10 and flows out from the rear end portion of the nozzle 10. In other words, the structure is such that water also flows into the propeller 4 from the upper part of the device. Therefore, the upper part of the device was not in a shape that humans can closely contact, for example, concave. Further, since the nozzle 10 that is larger than the housing 5 is equipped, the structure portion 12 that fixes the nozzle 10 is also large.

[0004]

The conventional underwater vehicle as described above has the following problems. (1) The propeller and propeller nozzle are larger than the main body of the device, and water flows into the propeller from the entire circumferential position of the front end of the propeller nozzle, so water also flows in between the person and the device. There was a risk that clothes and the like would be sucked into the propeller when the user was hungry and operated.
Further, the upper part of the device was not concave, and the operation was unstable. Further, in order to solve these problems, another floating body is attached to the upper part of the device, which makes the device large and difficult to operate. (2) In the case where the battery, motor, power transmission mechanism, etc. are arranged in the housing, the equipment is heavy because it is transported in a completely assembled state, and handling is inconvenient. There is a risk of damage and hydrogen gas generation from the battery, but there are problems such as the danger of explosion due to sparks from the motor. On the other hand, in the structure in which the housing is divided into blocks and the blocks can be attached and detached, there are many attachment and detachment parts, and the attachment and detachment parts require careful attachment and detachment work so that the machine can be operated by an amateur. It is difficult to put on and take off. (3) The nozzle becomes larger as the propeller diameter becomes larger, and the mechanism for fixing the nozzle to the housing also becomes larger, which increases the weight of the apparatus and makes it difficult to carry and handle. (4) Since the device is heavy, the device had to be temporarily placed on the seabed or the like in order to free both hands underwater, and there was a risk of loss or leakage.

The present invention eliminates the problems found in the above-mentioned conventional underwater vehicles, and (1) a mechanism for allowing water to flow into the propeller from the lower side without flowing into the propeller from the upper portion of the device, and to the upper portion of a human being It is an object of the present invention to provide an underwater vehicle in which there is no danger that clothes or the like will be sucked into the propeller when the user is hungry and operates, and a person can be brought into stable contact with the upper portion of the device. (2) By dividing the battery into independent blocks of watertight structure and using a housing that is separate from the motor, power transmission mechanism and propeller, it is easy to take out the battery, and charging work and device transportation and handling are easy. It is easy, and even if one of the battery and motor block is flooded, the whole device will not be damaged. Even if hydrogen gas is generated from the battery, spark sparks from the motor etc. will affect the battery block. No danger of causing an explosion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable underwater vehicle having a watertight structure that can be easily handled by an amateur even with regard to machinery. (3) The purpose of the present invention is to reduce the weight and facilitate transportation and handling by installing a propeller inside the housing without using a separate nozzle or nozzle fixing structure. (4) The specific gravity of the device is almost the same as that of seawater, and by connecting a simple rope between the device and a person, there is no risk of the device sinking or leaking even if both hands are separated in water. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above problems and relates to an underwater vehicle having the following features. (1) A battery, a motor, a power transmission mechanism, a propeller, and a housing that covers them are provided, the battery is housed in an independent watertight compartment provided in the housing, and the propeller is installed in the housing. The water is accommodated in the channel, the water inlet of the channel is opened to the lower surface of the housing, and the water outlet of the channel is opened at the rear part of the housing so that the water jets backward. (2) In the underwater vehicle described in (1) above, the propeller is provided near the inlet of the flow path, and the rotation axis of the propeller is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the traveling direction of the underwater vehicle. (3) In the underwater vehicle described in the item (1), the upper surface of the housing is formed in a concave shape so that a person can easily fit on his stomach. (4) In the underwater vehicle described in the item (1), the specific gravity as a whole is substantially the same as that of seawater, and a rope for connecting to a human is attached to the housing.

[0007]

[Action]

(1) In the underwater vehicle according to the present invention, according to this structure, the water flowing into the propeller enters through the inlet opening provided at the lower portion of the device, passes through the propeller, and exits through the outlet opening provided at the rear of the device. To go. The motor of the propeller is rotated by the power of the battery, and the propeller is rotated via the power transmission mechanism to generate propulsive force. Water entering the propeller enters only through the inlet opening at the bottom of the device. Therefore, there is no danger that clothes or the like will be sucked into the propeller when a person is hungry on the top and operates. The battery is divided into independent water-tight blocks, and the motor, power transmission mechanism and propeller are integrated into a separate housing, which makes it easy to take out the battery, and it is easy to charge and handle. Even if hydrogen gas is generated from the battery, sparks from the motor etc. do not affect the battery block and there is no danger of explosion.

(2) Since it is easy to make the width of the vehicle larger than the height of the vehicle of this type, when the diameter of the vehicle is made relatively large in order to improve the propeller efficiency, the propeller shaft is set in the traveling direction. By arranging in the vertical direction,
The propeller can be easily installed in the housing, reducing the weight and the required power.

(3) The upper part of the device has a concave shape so that a person can sit on his stomach and closely contact with him to use the device stably.

(4) Since the specific gravity of the device is almost the same as seawater, by connecting the device and a person with a simple rope, the device sinks or leaks even if both hands are separated in water. Don't worry.

[0011]

1 is a sectional view of an underwater vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the usage state of the vehicle. In the figure,
Reference numeral 1 is a battery, 2 is a motor, 3 is a power transmission mechanism, 4 is a propeller, 5 is a housing, and 13 is a partition wall for partitioning the battery 1 and the motor 2 in the housing 5. The battery compartment is watertight. Reference numeral 6 denotes a flow passage provided in the rear half of the housing, the front end of which opens at the lower surface of the vehicle, the rear end of which opens rearward of the vehicle, and the propeller 4 is located at the rear end thereof. Reference numeral 7 is a handle with a motor start / stop switch 14 provided on the front of the upper surface of the housing, and 8 is a recessed portion provided on the rear of the upper surface of the housing, which makes it easy for a person to stick to his / her stomach. It is like this. Further, 9 is a rope attached to the front end of the housing for connecting with a person. FIG. 3 shows a state of use, in which the upper concave portion 8 is laid on the belly, and the front handle 7 is provided.
Hold and use.

In this vehicle, the inlet opening of the flow path 6 through which water flows into the propeller 4 is not provided in the upper part of the device, and clothes or the like are prevented from being sucked into the propeller even when a person is stuck on the stomach. Note that the inlet opening of the flow path 6 is not limited to the upper surface of the device, and may be provided at the tip of the device, for example.
Further, although the shape of the upper part of the device is a shape that a person puts on his / her stomach and comes into close contact with it, for example, it may be a flat shape instead of a concave shape. The convex shape is not preferable.

The battery 1 which is relatively frequently handled for charging is partitioned into independent watertight blocks,
A housing 5, which is integral with the motor 2, the power transmission mechanism 3, and the propeller 4, is configured as a separate section. The electric wire between the battery 1 and the motor 2 is connected while keeping the watertightness of both sections. The housing 5 constitutes the outer shape of the entire apparatus, and the specific gravity of the apparatus is substantially the same as that of seawater. In addition, a simple rope 9 is provided to connect the device and a person.

As described above, in the underwater vehicle of the embodiment, the mechanism for allowing water to flow into the propeller from the lower part of the device allows clothes or the like to be sucked into the propeller when a person sits on the upper part and operates. It is safe and can be used without any danger. Also, by making the upper part of the device concave, it is possible for a person to stably contact and operate. Furthermore, the battery is divided into independent watertight blocks, and the motor, power transmission mechanism, and propeller are integrated into a separate housing, making it easy to take out the battery, and to facilitate charging and transporting and handling the device. Is. In addition, even if water is flooded from either one of the battery and the motor block, the entire device will not be damaged. Even if hydrogen gas is generated from the battery, sparks from the motor etc. do not affect the battery block and there is no danger of explosion. Even an amateur can easily handle the machine. Furthermore, the specific gravity of the device is almost the same as that of seawater, and the device and the human being are connected by a simple rope, so that there is no concern that the device will sink or flow out even if both hands are separated in water.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an underwater vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the vehicle.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a usage state of the vehicle. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shape of some parts, but the reference numerals, names, and basic functions of the members correspond to those of the first embodiment.

This embodiment comprises a battery 1, a motor 2, a power transmission mechanism 3 and a housing 5 which is integral with a propeller 4 having a relatively large diameter, and an inlet opening through which water flows into the propeller 4 at the lower part of the device. , A propeller 4 at the rear of the device
A channel 6 having an outlet opening from is provided. The motor 2, the power transmission mechanism 3, and the propeller 4 are arranged orthogonal to the traveling direction, and the propeller 4 is arranged at the lower part. A handle 7 with a motor starting / stopping switch 14 is provided in front of the upper portion, and the upper portion of the device has a concave shape 8 for a person to be stuck on his stomach. FIG. 6 shows a usage state. The upper concave portion 8 becomes a belly, and the handle 7 in front of the upper portion is grasped and used. The present invention is characterized in that the rotating shaft of the propeller 4 having a relatively large diameter is arranged in the housing 5 in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction. However, the arrangement may be slightly inclined. The shape of the upper part of the device is not limited to the concave shape, and may be, for example, a flat plate shape as long as a person is close to the belly. The housing 5 constitutes the outer shape of the entire apparatus, the specific gravity of the apparatus is almost the same as that of seawater, and a simple rope 9 for connecting the apparatus and a person is provided.

As described above, in the vehicle of this embodiment, even if a propeller having a large propeller diameter and a high propelling efficiency is provided, water does not flow into the propeller from the upper part of the device, but water flows from the lower part. Since a mechanism that flows into the propeller is provided, when a person sits on the upper part and operates
It is safe because there is no danger that clothes will be sucked into the propeller. Further, since the upper part of the device is a concave part, a person can be brought into close contact with it stably, so that the operation is stable. Since the mechanism for connecting the propeller to the motor having the rotation speed corresponding to the diameter of the propeller is provided without using the reduction gear, the mechanism for improving the propelling efficiency of the propeller is simple. Since the propeller is installed in the housing, a separate nozzle or nozzle fixing structure is not required as a mechanism for installing a propeller having a relatively large diameter, and it is simple and easy to carry and handle. There is a housing mechanism that makes the specific gravity of the device almost the same as seawater, and a mechanism that connects the device and a person with a simple rope is provided, so there is concern that the device will sink or leak even if both hands are released in water. There is no.

[0018]

【The invention's effect】

(1) In the underwater vehicle of the present invention, the water flowing into the propeller enters only through the inlet opening provided at the lower portion of the device and exits through the outlet opening. Therefore, there is no danger that clothes or the like will be sucked into the propeller when a person is hungry on the top and operates. The battery is divided into independent water-tight blocks, and the motor, power transmission mechanism and propeller are integrated into a separate housing, which makes it easy to take out the battery, and it is easy to charge and handle. Even if hydrogen gas is generated from the battery, sparks from the motor etc. do not affect the battery block and there is no danger of explosion. (2) When the propeller shaft has a relatively large diameter in order to improve its efficiency, the propeller shaft can be arranged perpendicular to the traveling direction so that the propeller can be easily installed in the housing, reducing the weight and the required power. Can be reduced. (3) The upper part of the device has a concave shape so that a person can sit on the belly and make close contact with the device to stably use the device. (4) Since the specific gravity of the device is almost the same as seawater, connecting the device and human with a simple rope will prevent the device from sinking or leaking even if both hands are separated in water. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an underwater vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the underwater vehicle.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a usage state of the underwater vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an underwater vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the underwater vehicle.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a usage state of the underwater vehicle.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional underwater vehicle as viewed from the side.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the underwater vehicle seen from above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Battery 2 Motor 3 Power Transmission Mechanism 4 Propeller 5 Housing 6 Flow Path 7 Handle 8 Concave 9 Rope 10 Nozzle 11 Speed Reducer 12 Nozzle Fixing Structure 13 Partition Wall 14 Switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A battery, a motor, a power transmission mechanism, a propeller, and a housing for covering them, the battery is housed in an independent watertight compartment provided in the housing, and the propeller is provided in the housing. The water inlet of the same channel is opened in the lower surface of the housing, and the water outlet of the same channel is opened in the rear part of the housing so that water is ejected rearward. An underwater vehicle characterized by that. 2. The underwater vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the propeller is provided in the vicinity of the inlet of the flow path, and the rotation axis of the propeller is arranged so as to be substantially orthogonal to the traveling direction of the underwater vehicle. 3. The underwater vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the housing is formed in a concave shape that a person is likely to sit on and close to. 4. The underwater vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a specific gravity of the underwater vehicle as a whole is substantially the same as that of seawater, and a rope for connecting with a human is attached to a housing of the underwater vehicle.