SAIL DRIVE AND SHIP

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sail drive and a ship.

BACKGROUND ART

Patent Document 1 discloses a marine propulsion unit in which lubricating oil circulates. The lubricating oil circulates to ensure lubrication and heat exchange to components (e.g. gears) of the propulsion unit.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-318688

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In recent years, in order to improve the mountability on a ship (vessel), a sail drive in which an upper unit constituting an upper portion of the sail drive (propulsion unit) can be arranged, for example, with the front and rear reversed with respect to a lower unit constituting a lower portion of the sail drive has also been proposed. However, when an arrangement direction of the upper unit is changed, for example, a flow passage of the lubricating oil as a refrigerant flowing inside the sail drive is also changed, and the lubricating oil is less likely to circulate. As a result, cooling of the lubricating oil in the lower unit becomes insufficient, and the sail drive may be overheated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of avoiding overheating of a sail drive even when an arrangement direction of an upper unit with respect to a lower unit is changed.

Solution to Problem

A sail drive according to an aspect of the present invention includes a lower unit, an upper unit that is disposed above the lower unit such that an arrangement direction is changed with respect to the lower unit, and an intermediate unit that is disposed between the lower unit and the upper unit. A refrigerant flowing between the lower unit and the upper unit via the intermediate unit is cooled in the lower unit. The intermediate unit switches a flow passage of the refrigerant.

A ship according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described sail drive.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

With the above configuration, even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit with respect to the lower unit is changed, overheating of the sail drive can be avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a ship according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration of a sail drive included in the ship.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in an arrangement direction of an adapter of the sail drive.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a lower unit when the sail drive is in a forward-facing arrangement.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the lower unit when the sail drive is in a rearward-facing arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above illustrating a configuration of an intermediate unit of the sail drive in an exploded manner in an up-down direction.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from below illustrating the configuration of the intermediate unit in an exploded manner in the up-down direction.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an upper member included in the intermediate unit.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a lower member included in the intermediate unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow of a refrigerant in a case where an intermediate member included in the intermediate unit is disposed in a left-right arrangement.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow of the refrigerant when the sail drive is in a rearward-facing arrangement and the intermediate member is in a front-rear arrangement.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view from above illustrating a configuration of a modification of the intermediate unit in an exploded manner in the up-down direction.

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an inner member included in the modification of the intermediate unit.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow of the refrigerant when the sail drive is in the rearward-facing arrangement.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view from above illustrating another configuration of the modification of the intermediate unit in an exploded manner in the up-down direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

1. Schematic Configuration of Ship

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a ship 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that, for convenience of description, directions are defined as follows in this specification. A bow side of the ship 1 is referred to as “front”, and a stern side is referred to as “rear”. A left side and a right side as viewed from a steering person (operator) who faces forward and rides on the ship 1 are referred to as “left” and “right”, respectively. Furthermore, a gravity direction perpendicular to a front-rear direction and a left-right direction is defined as an up-down direction, and an upstream side in the gravity direction is defined as “up” and a downstream side is defined as “down”. In the drawings, the front, the rear, the left, the right, the upper, and the lower are indicated by the symbols “F”, “B”, “L”, “R”, “U”, and “D”, respectively, as necessary.

The ship 1 is, for example, a sailing ship. The ship 1 (sailing ship) sails by using wind power received by a sail 2. However, the ship 1 travels by driving a sail drive 3 mounted on the ship 1 to rotate a propeller 3a at the time of arrival at a port, departure from a port, an emergency, or the like. That is, the ship 1 includes the sail drive 3 that is a propulsion device that generates a propulsive force of the ship 1. In particular, the sail drive 3 is attached to a bottom la of the ship 1. A configuration of the sail drive 3 of this embodiment will be described below.

2. Configuration of Sail Drive

FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating a configuration of the sail drive 3. Note that, in FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings, the propeller 3a illustrated in FIG. 1 is not illustrated for convenience.

The sail drive 3 includes an upper unit 31, a lower unit 32, and an intermediate unit 33. The upper unit 31 is located on an upper side in the sail drive 3. The lower unit 32 is located on a lower side in the sail drive 3. Specifically, the lower unit 32 is disposed below the upper unit 31. That is, the upper unit 31 is disposed above the lower unit 32. Furthermore, the upper unit 31 is connected to the lower unit 32 via the intermediate unit 33. That is, the intermediate unit 33 is disposed between the upper unit 31 and the lower unit 32 in the up-down direction. Note that a configuration of the intermediate unit 33 will be described below.

The upper unit 31 has an electric motor 31a, a pump 31b, an adapter 31c, a flange 31d, and a lid body 31e.

The electric motor 31a is driven by electric power supplied from a battery unit (not illustrated) mounted on the ship 1 (refer to FIG. 1) via an inverter (not illustrated). The inverter is mounted on the adapter 31c together with the electric motor 31a, converts a DC voltage supplied from the battery unit into an AC voltage, and supplies the AC voltage to the electric motor 31a.

The electric motor 31a is a drive source of the sail drive 3. That is, the sail drive 3 of this embodiment is an electric sail drive. However, the drive source of the sail drive 3 is not limited to the electric motor 31a, and may be, for example, an engine, such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine.

The pump 31b sucks and circulates oil as a refrigerant CL (see FIG. 4) to be described below flowing inside the sail drive 3. The pump 31b is configured by a hydraulic pump, such as a gear pump. However, a configuration of the pump 31b is not limited to the above, and the pump 31b may be a hydraulic pump other than a gear pump.

The adapter 31c is composed of a metal member extending in the horizontal direction. More specifically, the adapter 31c has a protruding portion 31c1 that protrudes in one direction included in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 2, the adapter 31c is disposed such that the protruding portion 31c1 protrudes toward the front. Note that a configuration of the adapter 31c is not limited to the above and the adapter 31c may be, for example, a resin member.

The electric motor 31a and the pump 31b are attached to an upper surface portion of the adapter 31c. Furthermore, the lid body 31e is detachably attached to the upper surface portion of the adapter 31c. More specifically, the lid body 31e is attached to the adapter 31c so as to cover the electric motor 31a and the pump 31b from above. A lower surface portion of the adapter 31c is connected to an upper portion of the lower unit 32 by bolts B1 via the intermediate unit 33. Furthermore, the adapter 31c is supported by a flange 31d via anti-vibration members 31f.

The anti-vibration members 31f include elastic bodies (for example, rubber). In this embodiment, two anti-vibration members 31f are disposed on a side where the protruding portion 31c1 is positioned, and one anti-vibration member 31f is disposed on a side opposite to the side where the protruding portion 31c1 is positioned. That is, three anti-vibration members 31f are disposed. However, the number of the anti-vibration members 31f is not limited to three, and may be, for example, one, two, or four or more.

The flange 31d is composed of a metal member extending in the horizontal direction. However, a configuration of the flange 31d is not limited to the above, and the flange 31d may be, for example, a resin member. A lower surface portion of the flange 31d is connected to a bottom la of the ship 1 via a seal member 31g (see FIG. 4 described below), such as a diaphragm. Note that a hole 1b (described below with reference to FIG. 4) is formed in the bottom 1a. The lower unit 32 and the intermediate unit 33 are inserted into the hole 1b. Therefore, the lower unit 32 is disposed to protrude downward from the bottom la. The seal member 31g prevents seawater from flowing into the ship 1 via the hole 1b.

Note that the adapter 31c may be disposed with the front and rear reversed with respect to the lower unit 32 (and the intermediate unit 33). This will be described in more detail below. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change in an arrangement direction of the adapter 31c with respect to the lower unit 32.

Even when the protruding portion 31c1 is arranged to protrude rearward, (a lower surface portion of) the adapter 31c can be connected to the upper portion of the lower unit 32 by the bolts B1 via the intermediate unit 33 (particularly, see a right drawing in FIG. 3). As described above, the flange 31d supports the adapter 31c via the anti-vibration members 31f. Therefore, when an arrangement direction of the adapter 31c with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed, an arrangement direction of the flange 31d with respect to the lower unit 32 is also changed. Furthermore, since the electric motor 31a, the pump 31b, and the like are mounted on the adapter 31c as described above, arrangement directions of these devices with respect to the lower unit 32 are also changed in accordance with the change in the arrangement direction of the adapter 31c with respect to the lower unit 32. Therefore, when the arrangement direction of the adapter 31c with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed, the arrangement direction of the entire upper unit 31 is changed. That is, the upper unit 31 is disposed such that the arrangement direction thereof can be changed with respect to the lower unit 32.

Note that, in this embodiment, an arrangement in which the protruding portion 31c1 is arranged to protrude forward (see the left drawing in FIG. 3) is referred to as a “forward-facing arrangement”. An arrangement in which the protruding portion 31c1 is arranged to protrude rearward (see the right drawing in FIG. 3) is referred to as “rearward-facing arrangement”.

In this embodiment, the upper unit 31 may be disposed with the front and rear sides reversed, that is, rotated 180 degrees about an axis extending in the up-down direction, with respect to the lower unit 32, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the upper unit 31 may be rotatable by 90 degrees about the axis extending in the up-down direction with respect to the lower unit 32. That is, the protruding portion 31c1 may protrude leftward or rightward.

A configuration of the lower unit 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the lower unit 32 in the forward-facing arrangement. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the lower unit 32 in the rearward-facing arrangement. Note that, in FIG. 4 and the subsequent drawings, a flow of the refrigerant CL described below is indicated by a thick arrow as necessary.

The lower unit 32 includes a drive shaft 32a, a propeller shaft 32b, and a housing 32c. The drive shaft 32a and the propeller shaft 32b are rotatably supported by a bearing 32BR in the housing 32c extending in the up-down direction.

The drive shaft 32a is composed of a rod-shaped metal member extending in the up-down direction. An upper end of the drive shaft 32a protrudes upward from the housing 32c. Furthermore, the upper end of the drive shaft 32a is connected to a rotation shaft (not illustrated) of the electric motor 31a (see FIG. 2 and the like). A first gear 32a1 is attached to a lower end of the drive shaft 32a. The first gear 32a1 is composed of, for example, a bevel gear.

The propeller shaft 32b is composed of a rod-shaped metal member extending in the front-rear direction. A second gear 32b1 is attached in the vicinity of the center of the propeller shaft 32b in the front-rear direction. The second gear 32b1 is composed of, for example, a bevel gear, and meshes with the first gear 32a1. A rear end of the propeller shaft 32b protrudes rearward from the housing 32c. The propeller 3a (refer to FIG. 1) is attached to the rear end of the propeller shaft 32b.

When the electric motor 31a is driven, rotational power of the electric motor 31a is transmitted to the propeller shaft 32b via the drive shaft 32a, the first gear 32a1, and the second gear 321, so as to rotate the propeller shaft 32b. Thus, the propeller 3a rotates to generate a propulsive force of the ship 1 so that the ship 1 can travel.

The lower unit 32 further includes a lower flow passage 32P through which the refrigerant CL flows and a water passage 32W through which seawater outside the lower unit 32 passes. The lower flow passage 32P and the water passage 32W are positioned in the housing 32c. That is, the lower flow passage 32P and the water passage 32W are provided in the lower unit 32.

The lower flow passage 32P includes a first lower flow passage 32P1, a second lower flow passage 32P2, and a connecting portion 32P3. The first lower flow passage 32P1 and the second lower flow passage 32P2 are each formed to extend in the up-down direction. The first lower flow passage 32P1 is located in the vicinity of the center of the lower unit 32 in the front-rear direction, and the second lower flow passage 32P2 is located in front of the first lower flow passage 32P1. The first lower flow passage 32P1 and the second lower flow passage 32P2 are connected to each other via the connecting portion 32P3 positioned below the first lower flow passage 32P1 and the second lower flow passage 32P2.

Bearings 32BR that rotatably support the drive shaft 32a are positioned in the first lower flow passage 32P1. The bearings 32BR that rotatably support the propeller shaft 32b, the first gear 32a1 that is attached to the drive shaft 32a, and the second gear 32b1 that is attached to the propeller shaft 32b are positioned in the connecting portion 32P3.

Furthermore, a lower flow passage inlet 32Pi that opens upward is formed at an upper end of the first lower flow passage 32P1. More specifically, the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi includes a first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 and a second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2. The bearings 32BR that support the drive shaft 32a are positioned at the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2, and the drive shaft 32a is inserted through the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2. On the other hand, a member, such as the bearings 32BR, is eliminated from the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 (that is, no member is disposed on the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1). Furthermore, a lower flow passage outlet 32Po that opens upward is formed at an upper end of the second lower flow passage 32P2. That is, the lower flow passage 32P includes the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po.

In this embodiment, oil is used as the refrigerant CL flowing through the lower flow passage 32P. The oil as the refrigerant CL exerts a cooling function of cooling a member (for example, the bearings 32BR) or the like located in the lower flow passage 32P. The oil as the refrigerant CL also exerts a lubricating function. The lubricating function means a function of reducing wear and friction at a contact portion between two members that move relative to each other and smoothing the relative movement between the two members. The two members include, for example, the first gear 32a1 and the second gear 32b1. Furthermore, as for the bearings 32BR, the two members means a pair of an inner ring and a ball or a pair of an outer ring and a ball. The oil as the refrigerant CL may be, for example, gear oil. Note that the refrigerant CL is not limited to oil in terms of the cooling function, and may be, for example, water (cooling water).

The water passage 32W is disposed in an annular shape on a radially outer side of the drive shaft 32a with respect to the lower flow passage 32P with a partition 32T interposed therebetween. The water passage 32W is connected to a water passage port 32c1 formed in front of a bottom portion of the housing 32c. Furthermore, the water passage 32W is connected to communication holes 32c2 (also refer to FIG. 2) formed on the rear side of a side portion of the housing 32c. Thus, for example, seawater outside the lower unit 32 is taken into the water passage 32W via one of the water passage port 32c1 and the communication holes 32c2. The seawater in the water passage 32W is discharged to an outside of the lower unit 32 via the other of the water passage port 32c1 and the communication holes 32c2. That is, an intake port for the seawater into the water passage 32W may be the water passage port 32c1 or the communication hole 32c2.

Although the number of the communication holes 32c2 is three in this embodiment, the number of the communication holes 32c2 is not limited to three. For example, the number of the communication holes 32c2 may be one, two, or four or more.

Heat exchange is performed between the seawater flowing through the water passage 32W and the refrigerant CL flowing through the lower flow passage 32P via the partition 32T. A temperature of the seawater is generally lower than a temperature of the refrigerant CL, and thus the refrigerant CL is cooled by the heat exchange. That is, the refrigerant CL is cooled in the lower unit 32.

Furthermore, the lower flow passage 32P is connected to the upper flow passage 31P of the upper unit 31 via the intermediate unit 33. More specifically, the upper flow passage 31P includes a first upper flow passage 31P1 and a second upper flow passage 31P2. The first upper flow passage 31P1 and the second upper flow passage 31P2 are individually formed in the adapter 31c.

The first upper flow passage 31P1 extends upward from a lower surface of the adapter 31c, then is bent toward one side in a left-right direction (right side in the forward-facing arrangement), and extends to a side surface portion of the adapter 31c. The upper flow passage inlet 31Pi that opens downward is formed at a lower end of the first upper flow passage 31P1 (that is, the lower surface of the adapter 31c). That is, the upper flow passage 31P includes the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi.

The second upper flow passage 31P2 extends upward from the lower surface of the adapter 31c. The upper flow passage outlet 31Po that opens downward is formed at a lower end of the second upper flow passage 31P2 (that is, the lower surface of the adapter 31c). That is, the upper flow passage 31P includes the upper flow passage outlet 31Po. More specifically, the upper flow passage outlet 31Po includes a first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and a second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2. The first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 is formed on a side opposite to the protruding portion 31c1 with respect to the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2. Furthermore, the drive shaft 32a is inserted through the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2.

The first upper flow passage 31P1 and the second upper flow passage 31P2 are connected to each other via a connection pipe (not illustrated) of the upper unit 31 provided separately from the adapter 31c. Specifically, the connection pipe connects the first upper flow passage 31P1 and the pump 31b to each other (refer to FIG. 2). Furthermore, the connection pipe connects the pump 31b and a motor flow passage (not illustrated) provided inside or outside the electric motor 31a to each other (refer to FIG. 2).

The connection pipe further connects the motor flow passage and the second upper flow passage 31P2 to each other. Note that a pipe line of the connection pipe and the motor flow passage are included in the upper flow passage 31P. That is, the upper flow passage 31P is included in the upper unit 31.

In this embodiment, the upper flow passage 31P included in the upper unit 31 and the lower flow passage 32P included in the lower unit 32 are collectively referred to as a flow passage CLP (for the refrigerant CL). That is, the flow passage CLP has the upper flow passage 31P and the lower flow passage 32P.

The intermediate unit 33 has a plurality of switching members SP. The plurality of switching members SP include an upper member SP1, a lower member SP2, and an intermediate member SP3. The upper member SP1, the intermediate member SP3, and the lower member SP2 are stacked in this order from the upper side to the lower side. That is, the intermediate member SP3 is disposed between the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2. The upper member SP1, the intermediate member SP3, and the lower member SP2 are arranged in the up-down direction.

The intermediate member SP3 is disposed so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the up-down direction with respect to the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2. To be specific, when a case where the sail drive 3 is disposed in the forward-facing arrangement is compared with a case where the sail drive 3 is disposed in the rearward-facing arrangement, the intermediate member SP3 is disposed by being rotated by 90 degrees about the axis extending in the up-down direction with respect to the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2. Then, regardless of whether the sail drive 3 is disposed in the forward-facing arrangement or the rearward-facing arrangement, the upper flow passage outlet 31Po of the upper flow passage 31P and the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi of the lower flow passage 32P are connected to each other. Furthermore, the lower flow passage outlet 32Po of the lower flow passage 32P and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi of the upper flow passage 31P are connected to each other. Therefore, when the pump 31b is driven, the refrigerant CL circulates between the upper flow passage 31P and the lower flow passage 32P via the intermediate unit 33. That is, the refrigerant CL flows between the upper unit 31 and the lower unit 32 via the intermediate unit 33.

In particular, in the upper flow passage 31P, the refrigerant CL flows through, for example, a motor flow passage of the electric motor 31a. When the refrigerant CL flows through the motor flow passage, heat is exchanged between the refrigerant CL and the electric motor 31a. That is, the electric motor 31a is cooled by the refrigerant CL. The following describes in detail that the connection relationship between the upper flow passage 31P and the lower flow passage 32P is maintained, that is, the flow passage CLP for the refrigerant CL is switched, by the rotation of the intermediate member SP3.

3. Flow Passage Switching

3-1. Configuration of Intermediate Unit

First, configurations of the individual portions of the intermediate unit 33, that is, the upper member SP1, the lower member SP2, and the intermediate member SP3, will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 6 and 7 are a perspective view from above and a perspective view from below, respectively, illustrating the configuration of the intermediate unit 33 in an exploded manner in the up-down direction.

The upper member SP1 is composed of a cylindrical metallic member extending in the up-down direction. However, the configuration of the upper member SP1 is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a resin member. The upper member SP1 has a pair of a first groove SP1a and a second groove SP1b (particularly, refer to FIG. 7). The first groove SP1a is formed on a left front side of the upper member SP1, and the second groove SP1b is formed on a right rear side of the upper member SP1.

However, the arrangement of the first groove SP1a and the second groove SP1b is not limited to the above. For example, the first groove SP1a may be located on the right rear side in the upper member SP1, and the second groove SP1b may be located on the left front side in the upper member SP1.

The first groove SP1a includes a shape recessed upward and extends in a circumferential direction of the upper member SP1. That is, a lower side of the first groove SP1a is open (particularly, see FIG. 7). Similarly to the first groove SP1a, the second groove SP1b also includes a shape recessed upward and extends along the circumferential direction of the upper member SP1. That is, the lower side of the second groove SP1b is also open. As described above, the intermediate member SP3 is located below the upper member SP1. Therefore, the upper member SP1 is disposed such that respective opening sides of the first groove SP1a and the second groove SP1b face the intermediate member SP3 (particularly, refer to FIG. 7).

The upper member SP1 further has a first opening portion OP1, a first upper port PU1, and a second upper port PU2. This will be described in more detail below. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the upper member SP1. The first opening portion OP1 is located at a horizontal center of the upper member SP1 and penetrates in the up-down direction. Therefore, a central axis SP1AX of the upper member SP1 extends through a horizontal center of the first opening portion OP1.

The first opening portion OP1 includes a plurality of first recessed portions OP1a. In this embodiment, the number of the first recessed portions OP1a is four. To be specific, the first recessed portion OP1a that is recessed forward on a front side of the first opening portion OP1 and the first recessed portion OP1a that is recessed rearward on a rear side of the first opening portion OP1 are formed. In addition to these, the first recessed portion OP1a that is recessed leftward on a left side of the first opening portion OP1 and the first recessed portion OP1a that is recessed rightward on a right side of the first opening portion OP1 are formed. Note that the number of the first recessed portions OP1a is not limited to four. For example, the number of the first recessed portions OP1a may be one, or may be a plurality other than four. The first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 are formed on a radially outer side of the first opening portion OP1.

The first upper port PU1 is located in front of the first opening portion OP1, and the second upper port PU2 is located behind the first opening portion OP1. More specifically, the second upper port PU2 is located on a side opposite to the first upper port PU1 with respect to the central axis SP1AX of the upper member SP1. Furthermore, the first upper port PU1, the central axis SP1AX of the upper member SP1, and the second upper port PU2 are arranged on a straight line (a straight line parallel to the front-rear direction in this embodiment). That is, the first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis SP1AX of the upper member SP1 in plan view (when the upper member SP1 is viewed from above).

The first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 penetrate an upper surface SP1U of the upper member SP1 in the up-down direction (also refer to FIG. 6). That is, the first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 are each formed downward from the upper surface SP1U of the upper member SP1.

The first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 are each formed in a substantially elliptical shape extending in the circumferential direction of the upper member SP1 in plan view. However, the shapes of the first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 are not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape other than a square shape and a rectangular shape.

The first upper port PUI is connected to one end (right front side in this embodiment) of the first groove SP1a. The second upper port PU2 is connected to one end (left rear side in this embodiment) of the second groove SP1b. That is, the first groove SP1a is connected to the first upper port PU1, and the second groove SP1b is connected to the second upper port PU2.

Furthermore, when the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement, the first upper port PU1 is connected to the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi in the upper flow passage 31P of the upper unit 31, and the second upper port PU2 is connected to the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 of the upper flow passage 31P. On the other hand, when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement, the first upper port PU1 is connected to the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 of the upper flow passage 31P, and the second upper port PU2 is connected to the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi of the upper flow passage 31P. Regardless of whether the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement or the rearward-facing arrangement, the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2 of the upper flow passage 31P and the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2 of the lower flow passage 32P are connected to each other.

The upper member SP1 also includes an insertion portion SP1c into which a pin (not illustrated) for suppressing unintentional rotation (displacement of an arrangement position) of a flat plate-shaped seal member (not illustrated) located between the adapter 31c and the upper member SP1 about an axis extending along the up-down direction is inserted.

As shown in (referring back to) FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower member SP2 is composed of a cylindrical metal member extending in the up-down direction. However, a configuration of the lower member SP2 is not limited to the above, and the lower member SP2 may be, for example, a resin member. Note that the lower member SP2 is configured to have an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the upper member SP1.

The lower member SP2 has a pair of a third groove SP2a and a fourth groove SP2b (see particularly FIG. 6). The third groove SP2a is formed on a right front side in the lower member SP2, and the fourth groove SP2b is formed on a left rear side in the lower member SP2. However, the arrangement of the third groove SP2a and the fourth groove SP2b is not limited to the above. For example, the third groove SP2a may be located on a left rear side of the lower member SP2, and the fourth groove SP2b may be located on a right front side of the lower member SP2.

The third groove SP2a includes a shape recessed downward and extends in a circumferential direction of the lower member SP2. That is, an upper side of the third groove SP2a is open (particularly, see FIG. 6). Similarly to the third groove SP2a, the fourth groove SP2b also includes a shape recessed downward and extends in the circumferential direction of the lower member SP2. That is, an upper side of the fourth groove SP2b is also open. As described above, the intermediate member SP3 is located above the lower member SP2. Therefore, the lower member SP2 is arranged such that the respective opening sides of the third groove SP2a and the fourth groove SP2b face the intermediate member SP3 (particularly, see FIG. 6).

As particularly shown in FIG. 7, the lower member SP2 further has a second opening portion OP2, a first lower port PD1, and a second lower port PD2. This will be described in more detail below. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lower member SP2. The second opening portion OP2 is located at a horizontal center of the lower member SP2 and penetrates in the up-down direction. Therefore, a central axis SP2AX of the lower member SP2 extends through the horizontal center of the second opening portion OP2.

The second opening portion OP2 includes a plurality of second recessed portions OP2a. In this embodiment, the number of the second recessed portions OP2a is four. To be specific, the second recessed portion OP2a that is recessed forward on a front side of the second opening portion OP2 and the second recessed portion OP2a that is recessed rearward on a rear side of the second opening portion OP2 are formed. In addition to these, the second recessed portion OP2a that is recessed leftward on a left side of the second opening portion OP2 and the second recessed portion OP2a that is recessed rightward on a right side of the second opening portion OP2 are formed. The number of the second recessed portions OP2a is not limited to four. For example, the number of the second recessed portions OP2a may be one or may be a plurality other than four. The first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are formed on a radially outer side of the second opening portion OP2.

The first lower port PD1 is located on the front side in the lower member SP2, and the second lower port PD2 is located on the rear side in the lower member SP2. More specifically, the second lower port PD2 is located on a side opposite to the first lower port PD1 with respect to the central axis SP2AX of the lower member SP2. Furthermore, the first lower port PD1, the central axis SP2AX of the lower member SP2, and the second lower port PD2 are arranged on a straight line (a straight line parallel to the front-rear direction in this embodiment). That is, the first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis SP2AX of the lower member SP2 in plan view (when the lower member SP2 is viewed from above).

The first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are individually formed on a lower surface SP2D (refer to FIG. 7) of the lower member SP2 so as to penetrate in the up-down direction. That is, the first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are individually formed upward from the lower surface SP2D of the lower member SP2.

The first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are individually formed in a substantially elliptical shape extending in the circumferential direction of the lower member SP2 in plan view. However, the shapes of the first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, or a polygonal shape other than a square shape and a rectangular shape.

The first lower port PD1 is connected to one end side (left front side in this embodiment) of the third groove SP2a. The second lower port PD2 is connected to one end side (right rear side in this embodiment) of the fourth groove SP2b. That is, the third groove SP2a is connected to the first lower port PD1, and the fourth groove SP2b is connected to the second lower port PD2.

Furthermore, the first lower port PD1 is connected to the lower flow passage outlet 32Po in the lower flow passage 32P of the lower unit 32, and the second lower port PD2 is connected to the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 of the lower flow passage 32P (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

Note that the lower member SP2 further includes a penetration portion SP2c connected to the water passage 32W (refer to FIG. 4 and the like) of the lower unit 32, and a plurality of insertion holes SP2e through which the bolts B1 (refer to FIG. 2) that fastens the lower unit 32 and the upper unit 31 to each other are inserted.

As illustrated in (referring back to) FIGS. 6 and 7, the intermediate member SP3 is composed of an annular metal member. However, the configuration of the intermediate member SP3 is not limited to the above, and the intermediate member SP3 may be, for example, a resin member.

The intermediate member SP3 has a pair of through holes SP3a (a first through hole SP3a1 and a second through hole SP3a2) and positioning portions SP3b. The first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 penetrate the intermediate member SP3 in the up-down direction. The second through hole SP3a2 is formed at a position on a side opposite to the first through hole SP3a1 with respect to the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3. The first through hole SP3a1, the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3, and the second through hole SP3a2 are arranged on a straight line (a straight line parallel to the front-rear direction in FIG. 6). That is, the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3 in plan view (when the intermediate member SP3 is viewed from above).

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, an arrangement (arrangement direction) of the intermediate member SP3 in which the straight line connecting the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 is parallel to the front-rear direction is referred to as “front-rear arrangement”. On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 10 described below, an arrangement of the intermediate member SP3 in which a straight line connecting the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 is parallel to the left-right direction is referred to as “left-right arrangement”.

The positioning portions SP3b include first positioning portions SP3b1 that protrude upward from an inner peripheral edge SP3E of the intermediate member SP3, and second positioning portions SP3b2 that protrude downward from the inner peripheral edge SP3E of the intermediate member SP3. As described above, the upper member SP1 is located above the intermediate member SP3, and the lower member SP2 is located below the intermediate member SP3. Therefore, the first positioning portions SP3b1 protrude toward the upper member SP1, and the second positioning portions SP3b2 protrude toward the lower member SP2. Note that the configuration of the positioning portions SP3b is not limited to the above, and for example, a configuration in which the first positioning portions SP3b1 or the second positioning portions SP3b2 are excluded may be employed. That is, the positioning portions SP3b protrude toward at least one of the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2.

In this embodiment, the two first positioning portions SP3b1 and the two second positioning portions SP3b2 are provided. The two first positioning portions SP3b1 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3 in plan view. The two second positioning portions SP3b2 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3 in plan view. A straight line connecting the first positioning portions SP3b1 to each other and a straight line connecting the second positioning portions SP3b2 to each other are orthogonal to each other.

When the intermediate unit 33 is assembled, for example, first, the intermediate member SP3 is mounted on the lower member SP2. To be specific, the intermediate member SP3 is moved from an upper side toward a lower side of the lower member SP2. At this time, the second positioning portions SP3b2 of the intermediate member SP3 are moved while corresponding to (being aligned with) the second recessed portions OP2a of the lower member SP2. Then, the intermediate member SP3 can be mounted on the upper surface of the lower member SP2 while the second positioning portions SP3b2 are inserted into the second recessed portions OP2a. That is, the second positioning portions SP3b2 correspond to the lower member SP2. The second positioning portions SP3b2 (and the second recessed portions OP2a) reduce deviation of an arrangement position and an arrangement direction of the intermediate member SP3 with respect to the lower member SP2.

Next, the upper member SP1 is mounted on the intermediate member SP3. To be specific, the upper member SP1 is moved from above to below the intermediate member SP3 (mounted on the upper surface of the lower member SP2). At this time, the first recessed portions OP1a of the upper member SP1 are moved while corresponding to (being aligned with) the first positioning portions SP3b1 of the intermediate member SP3. Then, the upper member SP1 can be mounted on the upper surface of the intermediate member SP3 while the first positioning portions SP3b1 are inserted into the first recessed portions OP1a. That is, the first positioning portions SP3b1 correspond to the upper member SP1. The first positioning portions SP3b1 (and the first recessed portions OP1a) reduce deviation of an arrangement position and an arrangement direction of the intermediate member SP3 with respect to the upper member SP1.

Therefore, the positioning portions SP3b of this embodiment correspond to the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2. However, as described above, either the first positioning portions SP3b1 or the second positioning portions SP3b2 may be excluded from the positioning portions SP3b. The positioning portions SP3b in this case correspond to either the upper member SP1 or the lower member SP2. That is, the positioning portions SP3b correspond to at least one of the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of reducing the deviation of the arrangement position and the arrangement direction of the intermediate member SP3 with respect to at least one of the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2. That is, as in this embodiment, the intermediate member SP3 preferably has the positioning portions SP3b corresponding to at least one of the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of simply and reliably realizing the above-described configuration for reducing the deviation of the arrangement position and the arrangement direction of the intermediate member SP3. That is, as in this embodiment, the positioning portions SP3b preferably protrude toward at least one of the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2. Hereinafter, a flow of the refrigerant CL in the intermediate unit 33 will be described.

3-2. Flow of Refrigerant in Intermediate Unit

First, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a flow of the refrigerant CL in a case where the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement will be described. When the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement, as described above, the straight line connecting the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 to each other is parallel to the front-rear direction. That is, for example, the first through hole SP3a1 is located in front of the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3, and the second through hole SP3a2 is located behind the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3. Then, the first through hole SP3a1 overlaps with one end side (right front side in this embodiment) of the first groove SP1a of the upper member SP1 and one end side (left front side in this embodiment) of the third groove SP2a of the lower member SP2 in plan view. Therefore, the first groove SP1a and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other via the first through hole SP3a1.

As described above, when the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement, the first upper port PU1 connected to the first groove SP1a is connected to the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi of the upper flow passage 31P. The first lower port PD1 connected to the third groove SP2a is connected to the lower flow passage outlet 32Po of the lower flow passage 32P. Therefore, when the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement and the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement, the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po communicate with each other via the first upper port PU1, the first groove SP1a, the first through hole SP3a1, the third groove SP2a, and the first lower port PD1. Note that the other end side (the left rear side in this embodiment) of the first groove SP1a and the other end side (the right rear side in this embodiment) of the third groove SP2a are closed by the intermediate member SP3. Thus, the refrigerant CL flowing out from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po passes through the first lower port PD1, the third groove SP2a, the first through hole SP3a1, the first groove SP1a, and the first upper port PUI and flows into the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi.

On the other hand, the second through hole SP3a2 overlaps with one end side (the left rear side in this embodiment) of the second groove SP1b of the upper member SP1 and one end side (the right rear side in this embodiment) of the fourth groove SP2b of the lower member SP2 in plan view. Therefore, the second groove SP1b and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other via the second through hole SP3a2.

As described above, when the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement, the second upper port PU2 connected to the second groove SP1b is connected to the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 of the upper flow passage 31P. The second lower port PD2 connected to the fourth groove SP2b is connected to the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 of the lower flow passage 32P. Therefore, when the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement and the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 communicate with each other. More specifically, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 communicate with each other via the second upper port PU2, the second groove SP1b, the second through hole SP3a2, the fourth groove SP2b, and the second lower port PD2. Note that the other end side (right front side in this embodiment) of the second groove SP1b and the other end side (left front side in this embodiment) of the fourth groove SP2b are individually closed by the intermediate member SP3. Thus, the refrigerant CL flowing out from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 passes through the second upper port PU2, the second groove SP1b, the second through hole SP3a2, the fourth groove SP2b, and the second lower port PD2 and flows into the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1.

Note that the arrangement positions of the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 may be reversed in the front-rear direction. That is, the first through hole SP3a1 may be located behind the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3, and the second through hole SP3a2 may be located in front of the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3.

In this embodiment, a case where the first groove SP1a and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other and the second groove SP1b and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other in the intermediate unit 33 is referred to as a first communication mode 33M1. That is, the intermediate unit 33 has a first communication mode 33M1, and in the first communication mode 33M1, the first groove SP1a and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other, and the second groove SP1b and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other.

Next, a flow of the refrigerant CL when the intermediate member SP3 is in the left-right arrangement will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow of the refrigerant CL when the intermediate member SP3 is in the left-right arrangement. A diagram on the left side in FIG. 10 illustrates a flow of the refrigerant CL flowing out from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1. A diagram on the right side in FIG. 10 illustrates a flow of the refrigerant CL flowing out from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po. Note that the intermediate unit 33 in the drawing on the left side of FIG. 10 and the intermediate unit 33 in the drawing on the right side of FIG. 10 have the same configuration. Although the flow of the refrigerant CL flowing out from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the flow of the refrigerant CL flowing out from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 are separately illustrated in FIG. 10 for convenience, this is merely for description and it is not intended that the respective flows of the refrigerant CL occur separately.

As illustrated in the drawing on the left side in FIG. 10, when the intermediate member SP3 is in the left-right arrangement, the straight line connecting the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 is parallel to the left-right direction as described above. That is, for example, the first through hole SP3a1 is located on the left side of the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3, and the second through hole SP3a2 is located on the right side of the central axis SP3AX of the intermediate member SP3. Then, the first through hole SP3a1 overlaps with the other end side (the left rear side in this embodiment) of the first groove SP1a of the upper member SP1 and the other end side (the left front side in this embodiment) of the fourth groove SP2b of the lower member SP2 in plan view. Therefore, the first groove SP1a and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other via the first through hole SP3a1.

As described above, the first upper port PU1 connected to the first groove SP1a is connected to the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 of the upper flow passage 31P when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement. Therefore, when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement and the intermediate member SP3 is in the left-right arrangement, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 communicate with each other via the first upper port PU1, the first groove SP1a, the first through hole SP3a1, the fourth groove SP2b, and the second lower port PD2. That is, even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed, the following communication is performed by the intermediate unit 33. That is, the intermediate unit 33 cause the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi (the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 in this embodiment) and the upper flow passage outlet 31Po (the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 in this embodiment) to communicate with each other.

Thus, the refrigerant CL flowing out from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 flows into the first groove SP1a via the first upper port PU1. The refrigerant CL having flowed into the first groove SP1a flows through the first groove SP1a, that is, flows in the circumferential direction of the upper member SP1 (the counterclockwise direction in plan view in this embodiment), and flows into the fourth groove SP2b via the first through hole SP3a1. The refrigerant CL having flowed into the fourth groove SP2b flows through the fourth groove SP2b, that is, flows in the circumferential direction (the counterclockwise direction in plan view in this embodiment) of the lower member SP2, and flows into the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 via the second lower port PD2.

As illustrated in the drawing on the right side in FIG. 10, the second through hole SP3a2 overlaps with the other end side (right front side in this embodiment) of the second groove SP1b of the upper member SP1 and the other end side (right rear side in this embodiment) of the third groove SP2a of the lower member SP2 in plan view. Therefore, the second groove SP1b and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other via the second through hole SP3a2.

As described above, when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement, the second upper port PU2 connected to the second groove SP1b is connected to the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi of the upper flow passage 31P. Therefore, when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement and the intermediate member SP3 is in the left-right arrangement, the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po communicate with each other via the second upper port PU2, the second groove SP1b, the second through hole SP3a2, the third groove SP2a, and the first lower port PD1. That is, the intermediate unit 33 causes the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi to communicate with each other even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed. That is, even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed, the connection relationship between the lower flow passage 32P and the upper flow passage 31P is maintained by means of the intermediate unit 33.

Thus, the refrigerant CL flowing out from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po flows into the third groove SP2a via the first lower port PD1. The refrigerant CL having flowed into the third groove SP2a flows through the third groove SP2a, that is, flows in the circumferential direction of the lower member SP2 (the clockwise direction in plan view in this embodiment), and flows into the second groove SP1b via the second through hole SP3a2. The refrigerant CL having flowed into the second groove SP1b flows through the second groove SP1b, that is, flows in the circumferential direction (the clockwise direction in plan view in this embodiment) of the upper member SP1, and flows into the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi via the second upper port PU2.

Thus, when the positions of the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 of the intermediate member SP3 are changed, the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL in the intermediate unit 33 is switched.

In this embodiment, the position change of the first through hole SP3a1 and the second through hole SP3a2 is realized by rotating the intermediate member SP3 about an axis extending in the up-down direction. Therefore, when (even when) the intermediate member SP3 rotates about the axis extending in the up-down direction, the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL in the intermediate unit 33 is switched. That is, the intermediate unit 33 switches the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL.

Here, for example, in a case where the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement, the flow of the refrigerant CL when the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the refrigerant CL when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement and the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement. Note that this flow of the refrigerant CL can also occur, for example, when the flow passage switching function of the intermediate unit 33 is disabled, when the intermediate unit 33 is removed from the sail drive 3, and the like.

Since the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first upper port PU1 and the first lower port PD1 communicate with each other, and the second upper port PU2 and the second lower port PD2 communicate with each other. Furthermore, since the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement, the first upper port PU1 is connected to the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 of the upper flow passage 31P, and the second upper port PU2 is connected to the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi of the upper flow passage 31P. Moreover, (regardless of whether the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement or the rearward-facing arrangement), the first lower port PD1 is connected to the lower flow passage outlet 32Po of the lower flow passage 32P, and the second lower port PD2 is connected to the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 of the lower flow passage 32P. Therefore, in this case, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po communicate with each other, and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 communicate with each other.

In this case, when the pump 31b (refer to FIG. 2) disposed in the upper unit 31 is driven, the refrigerant CL flows toward the upper flow passage outlet 31Po (the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2). Since the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 communicates with the lower flow passage outlet 32Po, the refrigerant CL having flowed toward the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 flows into the lower flow passage outlet 32Po. On the other hand, as described above, the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2 communicates with the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2 (regardless of whether the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement or the rearward-facing arrangement). Therefore, the refrigerant CL having flowed toward the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2 flows into the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2.

The refrigerant CL is more likely to flow from the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2 toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 than from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 (via the connecting portion 32P3). More specifically, the refrigerant CL flows more easily in a case where the refrigerant CL flows from the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2 toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 than in a case where the refrigerant CL flows from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1, because a flow distance is shorter. Since the refrigerant CL flowing from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 passes through a member (for example, the first gear 32a1) disposed in the lower flow passage 32P, the member serves as resistance and the refrigerant CL is less likely to flow.

Therefore, most of the refrigerant CL having flowed toward the upper flow passage outlet 31Po flows toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 via the second upper flow passage outlet 31Po2 and the second lower flow passage inlet 32Pi2. Thus, the circulation efficiency of the refrigerant CL in the lower unit 32 is deteriorated. When the circulation efficiency of the refrigerant CL is deteriorated in the lower unit 32 (lower flow passage 32P), the refrigerant CL is less likely to be cooled by heat exchange performed between the refrigerant CL and the seawater flowing through the water passage 32W. Then, a temperature of the refrigerant CL gradually rises, and as a result, the sail drive 3 is overheated.

The above-described configuration (i.e., the configuration in which the intermediate unit 33 switches the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL) enables the following. That is, even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed, the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL can be switched correspondingly so that deterioration in the circulation efficiency of the refrigerant CL is avoided. Thus, deterioration in the circulation efficiency of the refrigerant CL can be avoided, and the refrigerant CL can be reliably cooled. Therefore, overheating of the sail drive 3 can be avoided. Thus, even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed, overheating of the sail drive 3 can be avoided.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of reliably realizing a configuration in which the flow passage CLP is switched even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 with respect to the lower unit 32 is changed in a configuration in which the flow passage CLP has the lower flow passage 32P of the lower unit 32 and the upper flow passage 31P of the upper unit 31. That is, as in this embodiment, the intermediate unit 33 preferably maintains the connection relationship between the lower flow passage 32P and the upper flow passage 31P.

In the configuration in which the lower flow passage 32P includes the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage 31P includes the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi and the upper flow passage outlet 31Po, the following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of reliably realizing the configuration in which the above-described connection relationship is maintained. That is, as in this embodiment, when the arrangement direction of the upper unit 31 is changed with respect to the lower unit 32, the intermediate unit 33 preferably causes the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi (the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 in this embodiment) and the upper flow passage outlet 31Po (the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 in this embodiment) to communicate with each other. In addition, the intermediate unit 33 preferably allows the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi to communicate with each other.

For example, when the intermediate unit 33 is composed of a plurality of members, the flow passage switching function is more easily provided than when the intermediate unit 33 is composed of a single member. Therefore, from the viewpoint of easily providing the flow passage switching function in the intermediate unit 33, as in this embodiment, the intermediate unit 33 preferably has a plurality of switching members 33a.

From the viewpoint of simplifying the configuration of each switching member 33a constituting the flow passage switching function, the following configuration is desirable. That is, as in this embodiment, the plurality of switching members 33a preferably include the upper member SP1 having the first groove SP1a and the second groove SP1b, the lower member SP2 having the third groove SP2a and the fourth groove SP2b, and the intermediate member SP3 having the pair of through holes SP3a. From the viewpoint of providing the intermediate unit 33 with the flow passage switching function by a combination of the first groove SP1a, the second groove SP1b, the third groove SP2a, the fourth groove SP2b, and the pair of through holes SP3a, the following configuration is desirable. That is, as in this embodiment, in a configuration in which the intermediate member SP3 is arranged between the upper member SP1 and the lower member SP2, the upper member SP1 is preferably arranged such that the respective opening sides of the first groove SP1a and the second groove SP1b face the intermediate member SP3. The lower member SP2 is preferably arranged such that the respective opening sides of the third groove SP2a and the fourth groove SP2b face the intermediate member SP3.

From the viewpoint of causing the first groove SP1a and the second groove SP1b to function as the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL in the configuration in which the upper member SP1 has the first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 that are formed downward from the upper surface SP1U of the upper member SP1, the following configuration is desirable. That is, as in this embodiment, the first groove SP1a is preferably connected to the first upper port PU1 and recessed upward. Furthermore, the second groove SP1b is preferably connected to the second upper port PU2 and is preferably recessed upward.

From the viewpoint of causing the third groove SP2a and the fourth groove SP2b to function as the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL in the configuration in which the lower member SP2 has the first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 that are formed upward from the lower surface SP2D of the lower member SP2, the following configuration is desirable. That is, as in this embodiment, the third groove SP2a is preferably connected to the first lower port PD1 and recessed downward. Furthermore, the fourth groove SP2b is preferably connected to the second lower port PD2 and is preferably recessed downward.

From the viewpoint of simplifying the configuration of the upper member SP1 to reduce the manufacturing cost of the upper member SP1, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the first upper port PU1 and the second upper port PU2 are preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis SP1AX of the upper member SP1 in plan view.

From the viewpoint of simplifying the configuration of the lower member SP2 to reduce the manufacturing cost of the lower member SP2, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the first lower port PD1 and the second lower port PD2 are preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis SP2AX of the lower member SP2 in plan view.

From the viewpoint of simply switching the flow passage CLP in the configuration in which the upper member SP1, the intermediate member SP3, and the lower member SP2 are arranged in the up-down direction, the following configuration is desirable. That is, as in this embodiment, the flow passage CLP is preferably switched when the intermediate member SP3 rotates about the axis extending in the up-down direction.

From the viewpoint of realizing the switching of the flow passage CLP by effectively utilizing the pair of through holes SP3a, the flow passage CLP is preferably switched as in this embodiment when the positions of the pair of through holes SP3a are changed.

In this embodiment, a case where the first groove SP1a and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other and the second groove SP1b and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other in the intermediate unit 33 is referred to as a second communication mode 33M2 (refer to FIG. 10). That is, the intermediate unit 33 has the second communication mode 33M2, and in the second communication mode 33M2, the first groove SP1a and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other, and the second groove SP1b and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other. That is, when the intermediate member SP3 is in the left-right arrangement, the intermediate unit 33 is in the second communication mode 33M2.

On the other hand, as described above, in the first communication mode 33M1, the first groove SP1a and the third groove SP2a communicate with each other, and the second groove SP1b and the fourth groove SP2b communicate with each other (see FIGS. 6 and 7). That is, when the intermediate member SP3 is in the front-rear arrangement, the intermediate unit 33 is in the first communication mode 33M1. Therefore, when the intermediate member SP3 rotates about the axis extending in the up-down direction, that is, when the positions of the pair of through holes SP3a in the intermediate member SP3 are changed, the first communication mode 33M1 and the second communication mode 33M2 are switched.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of reliably realizing a configuration in which the intermediate unit 33 has the first communication mode 33M1 and the second communication mode 33M2 and the flow passages CLP are simply switched. That is, as in this embodiment, when the intermediate member SP3 rotates about the axis extending in the up-down direction, the first communication mode 33M1 and the second communication mode 33M2 are preferably switched.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of reliably realizing a configuration in which the intermediate unit 33 has the first communication mode 33M1 and the second communication mode 33M2 and a configuration in which the switching of the flow passage CLP is realized by effectively utilizing the pair of through holes SP3a. That is, as in this embodiment, when the positions of the pair of through holes SP3a are changed, the first communication mode 33M1 and the second communication mode 33M2 are preferably switched.

3-3. Modification of Intermediate Unit

A modification of the intermediate unit 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. FIG. 12 is a perspective view from above illustrating a configuration of a modification of the intermediate unit 33 in an exploded manner in the up-down direction. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an inner member SP5, which will be described below, included in the intermediate unit 33 of the modification. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of the refrigerant CL when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement. Although a flow of the refrigerant CL flowing out from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and a flow of the refrigerant CL flowing out from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 are separately illustrated in FIG. 14 for convenience, this is merely for description and it is not intended that the respective flows of the refrigerant CL occur separately.

Particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the intermediate unit 33 of the modification has an outer member SP4 and an inner member SP5 as a plurality of switching members 33a. The outer member SP4 is composed of an annular flat plate member (for example, a thick plate member) extending in the horizontal direction. The outer member SP4 is composed of, for example, a metal member. However, the configuration of the outer member SP4 is not limited to the above, and the outer member SP4 may be, for example, a resin member.

The outer member SP4 includes water passage hole portions SP4a connected to the water passage 32W (refer to FIG. 4 and the like) of the lower unit 32, and a plurality of insertion holes SP4b through which the bolts B1 (refer to FIG. 2) fastening the lower unit 32 and the upper unit 31 are inserted. The inner member SP5 is rotatably arranged at the center of the outer member SP4 in the horizontal direction.

The inner member SP5 is composed of a cylindrical metal member extending in the up-down direction. However, the configuration of the inner member SP5 is not limited to the above, and the inner member SP5 may be, for example, a resin member. The inner member SP5 has a third opening portion OP3 and a pair of groove portions SP5a.

The third opening portion OP3 is located at the center of the inner member SP5 in the horizontal direction and penetrates the inner member SP5 in the up-down direction. The groove portions SP5a are formed on a radially outer side of the third opening portion OP3. Each of the groove portions SP5a functions as the flow passage CLP through which the refrigerant CL flows. That is, the groove portions SP5a through which the refrigerant CL flows are formed in the intermediate unit 33 of the modification.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 13, each of the groove portions SP5a includes a downward groove SP5a1 located on an upper side of the inner member SP5, an upward groove SP5a2 located on a lower side of the inner member SP5, and a communication portion SP5a3 located at the center of the inner member SP5 in the up-down direction.

The downward groove SP5a1 has a shape recessed downward from an upper surface SP4U of the inner member SP5 and extends along a circumferential direction of the inner member SP5. That is, an upper side of the downward groove SP5a1 is open.

The downward groove SP5a1 of one of the groove portions SP5a and the downward groove SP5a1 of the other of the groove portions SP5a are symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the inner member SP5. However, the downward groove SP5a1 of one of the groove portions SP5a and the downward groove SP5a1 of the other of the groove portions SP5a may be asymmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the inner member SP5.

The upward groove SP5a2 includes a shape recessed upward from the lower surface of the inner member SP5 and extends in the circumferential direction of the inner member SP5. That is, a lower side of the upward groove SP5a2 is open.

The upward groove SP5a2 of the one of the groove portions SP5a and the upward groove SP5a2 of the other of the groove portions SP5a are symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis of the inner member SP5. However, the upward groove SP5a2 of the one of the groove portions SP5a and the upward groove SP5a2 of the other of the groove portions SP5a may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the central axis of the inner member SP5.

In the one of the groove portions SP5a, the downward groove SP5a1 and the upward groove SP5a2 communicate with each other via a communication portion SP5a3 that penetrates in the up-down direction. That is, the communication portion SP5a3 allows the downward groove SP5a1 and the upward groove SP5a2 to communicate with each other. Note that, similarly to the one of the groove portions SP5a, the downward groove SP5a1 and the upward groove SP5a2 communicate with each other via the communication portion SP5a3 also in the other of the groove portions SP5a.

In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 12, in the modification, when the sail drive 3 is in the forward-facing arrangement (also refer to FIG. 4), the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi is located above the front side of the inner member SP5, and the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 is located above the rear side of the inner member SP5. Furthermore, the lower flow passage outlet 32Po is located below the front side of the inner member SP5, and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 is located below the rear side of the inner member SP5.

In this case, the inner member SP5 is disposed such that the communication portion SP5a3 of the one of the groove portions SP5a is located on the front side of the inner member SP5 and the communication portion SP5a3 of the other of the groove portions SP5a is located on the rear side of the inner member SP5. Then, the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi, the communication portion SP5a3 of the one of the groove portions SP5a, and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po overlap with one another in plan view. Therefore, the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi communicate with each other by the one of the groove portions SP5a (particularly, the communication portion SP5a3 of the one of the groove portions SP5a). That is, the groove portion SP5a causes the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi to communicate with each other. Thus, the refrigerant CL can flow from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po toward the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi.

The first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1, the communication portion SP5a3 of the other of the groove portions SP5a, and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 overlap with one another in plan view. Therefore, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 communicate with each other by the other of the groove portions SP5a (particularly, the communication portion SP5a3 of the other of the groove portions SP5a). That is, the groove portion SP5a causes the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi (the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 in the modification) and the upper flow passage outlet 31Po (the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 in the modification) to communicate with each other. Thus, the refrigerant CL can flow from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 toward the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1.

On the other hand, particularly as illustrated in the drawing on the left side of FIG. 14, when the sail drive 3 is in the rearward-facing arrangement (also refer to FIG. 5), the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 is located above the front side of the inner member SP5, and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi is located above the rear side of the inner member SP5. Furthermore, the lower flow passage outlet 32Po is located below the front side of the inner member SP5, and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 is located below the rear side of the inner member SP5.

In this case, the inner member SP5 is disposed such that the communication portion SP5a3 of the one of the groove portions SP5a is located on the right side of the inner member SP5 and the communication portion SP5a3 of the other of the groove portions SP5a is located on the left side of the inner member SP5. That is, the inner member SP5 illustrated in FIG. 12 is rotated by 90 degrees in the clockwise direction in plan view about an axis extending in the up-down direction. Then, in plan view, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the downward groove SP5a1 of the one of the groove portions SP5a overlap with each other, and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 and the upward groove SP5a2 of the one of the groove portions SP5a overlap with each other. Therefore, the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 and the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 communicate with each other by the one of the groove portions SP5a.

Thus, the refrigerant CL flowing out from the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 flows into the downward groove SP5a1 of the one of the groove portions SP5a. The refrigerant CL having flowed into the downward groove SP5a1 of the one of the groove portions SP5a flows through the downward groove SP5a1, that is, flows in the circumferential direction (clockwise direction in plan view in the modification) of the inner member SP5. Then, the refrigerant CL flows via the communication portion SP5a3 (of the one of the groove portions SP5a) into the upward groove SP5a2 (of the one of the groove portions SP5a2). The refrigerant CL having flowed into the upward groove SP5a2 flows through the upward groove SP5a2, that is, flows in the circumferential direction (clockwise direction in plan view in the modification) of the inner member SP5, and flows into the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1.

Furthermore, in plan view, the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi and the downward groove SP5a1 of the other of the groove portions SP5a overlap with each other, and the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upward groove SP5a2 of the other of the groove portions SP5a2 overlap with each other. Therefore, the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi communicate with each other by the other of the groove portions SP5a.

Thus, the refrigerant CL flowing out from the lower flow passage outlet 32Po flows into the upward groove SP5a2 of the other of the groove portions SP5a. The refrigerant CL having flowed into the upward groove SP5a2 of the other of the groove portions SP5a flows through the upward groove SP5a2, that is, flows in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction in plan view in the modification) of the inner member SP5. Then, the refrigerant CL flows into the downward groove SP5a1 (of the other of the groove portions SP5a) via the communication portion SP5a3 (of the other of the groove portions SP5a). The refrigerant CL that has flowed into the downward groove SP5a1 flows through the downward groove SP5a1, that is, flows in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction in plan view in the modification) of the inner member SP5, and flows into the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi. That is, even in the intermediate unit 33 of the modification, the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL is switched by rotating the inner member SP5 about the axis extending in the up-down direction.

From the viewpoint of realizing the switching of the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL with a simple configuration, as in the modification, the groove portion SP5a through which the refrigerant CL flows is preferably formed in the intermediate unit 33.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of reliably realizing the switching of the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL even with a simple configuration. That is, as in the modification, the groove portions SP5a preferably cause the lower flow passage inlet 32Pi (the first lower flow passage inlet 32Pi1 in the modification) and the upper flow passage outlet 31Po (the first upper flow passage outlet 31Po1 in the modification) to communicate with each other. Furthermore, the groove portions SP5a preferably allow the lower flow passage outlet 32Po and the upper flow passage inlet 31Pi to communicate with each other.

The following configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of switching the flow passage CLP of the refrigerant CL by causing the refrigerant CL flowing from above the inner member SP5 to the inner member SP5 to flow below the inner member SP5 and causing the refrigerant CL flowing from below the inner member SP5 to the inner member SP5 to flow above the inner member SP5. That is, as in the modification, each of the groove portions SP5a preferably includes the downward groove SP5a1 that is recessed downward, the upward groove SP5a2 that is recessed upward, and the communication portion SP5a3 that allows the downward groove SP5a1 and the upward groove SP5a2 to communicate with each other.

Note that the configuration of the modification of the intermediate unit 33 is not limited to the above. This will be described in more detail below. FIG. 15 is a perspective view from above illustrating another configuration of the modification of the intermediate unit 33 in an exploded manner in the up-down direction. The intermediate unit 33 illustrated in FIG. 15 has the same configuration as the intermediate unit 33 illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 except that an outer peripheral surface portion of the groove portions SP5a of the inner member SP5 is removed. The flow of the refrigerant CL illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 can be realized even with the configuration of the intermediate unit 33 illustrated in FIG. 15. That is, the intermediate unit 33 illustrated in FIG. 15 also has the flow passage switching function. Note that, from the viewpoint of reducing pressure loss in the groove portions SP5a, the intermediate unit 33 illustrated in FIG. 15 is more preferable than the intermediate unit 33 illustrated in FIG. 12 and the like.

4. Appendices

The sail drive 3 and the ship 1 described in this embodiment can also be expressed as a sail drive and a ship described in the following appendices.

A sail drive according to Appendix 1, comprising:

• • a lower unit;
  • an upper unit that is disposed above the lower unit such that an arrangement direction is changed with respect to the lower unit; and
  • an intermediate unit arranged between the lower unit and the upper unit, wherein
  • a refrigerant flowing between the lower unit and the upper unit via the intermediate unit is cooled in the lower unit, and
  • the intermediate unit switches a flow passage of the refrigerant.

A sail drive according to Appendix 2, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 1,

• • the flow passage includes
    • a lower flow passage provided in the lower unit, and
    • an upper flow passage provided in the upper unit, and
  • the intermediate unit maintains the connection relationship between the lower flow passage and the upper flow passage even when an arrangement direction of the upper unit with respect to the lower unit is changed.

A sail drive according to Appendix 3, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 2,

• • the lower flow passage includes a lower flow passage inlet portion and a lower flow passage outlet portion,
  • the upper flow passage includes an upper flow passage inlet portion and an upper flow passage outlet portion, and
  • even when the arrangement direction of the upper unit with respect to the lower unit is changed, the intermediate unit causes the lower flow passage inlet portion and the upper flow passage outlet portion to communicate with each other and causes the lower flow passage outlet portion and the upper flow passage inlet portion to communicate with each other.

A sail drive according to Appendix 4, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 3,

• • the intermediate unit includes a groove portion through which the refrigerant flows.

A sail drive according to Appendix 5, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 4,

• • the groove portion includes
    • a downward groove that is recessed downward,
    • an upward groove that is recessed upward, and
    • a communication portion that allows the downward groove and the upward groove to communicate with each other.

A sail drive according to Appendix 6, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 4 or 5,

• • the groove portion allows the lower flow passage inlet portion and the upper flow passage outlet portion to communicate with each other and allows the lower flow passage outlet portion and the upper flow passage inlet portion to communicate with each other.

A sail drive according to Appendix 7, wherein, in the sail drive according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3,

• • the intermediate unit includes a plurality of switching members.

A sail drive according to Appendix 8, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 7,

• • the plurality of switching members include
    • an upper member having a first groove and a second groove,
    • a lower member having a third groove and a fourth groove, and
    • an intermediate member having a pair of through holes,
  • the intermediate member is disposed between the upper member and the lower member,
  • the upper member is disposed such that opening sides of the first groove and the second groove face the intermediate member, and
  • the lower member is disposed such that opening sides of the third groove and the fourth groove face the intermediate member.

A sail drive according to Appendix 9, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 8,

• • the first groove is connected to a first upper port that is formed downward from an upper surface of the upper member and is recessed upward,
  • the second groove is connected to a second upper port that is formed downward from the upper surface of the upper member and is recessed upward,
  • the third groove is connected to a first lower port that is formed upward from a lower surface of the lower member and is recessed downward, and
  • the fourth groove is connected to a second lower port that is formed upward from the lower surface of the lower member and is recessed downward.

A sail drive according to Appendix 10, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 9,

• • the first upper port and the second upper port are symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the upper member in plan view.

A sail drive according to Appendix 11, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 9 or 10,

• • the first lower port and the second lower port are symmetrically arranged with respect to a central axis of the lower member in plan view.

A sail drive according to Appendix 12, wherein, in the sail drive according to any one of Appendices 8 to 11,

• • the upper member, the intermediate member, and the lower member are arranged in an up-down direction, and
  • the flow passage is switched when the intermediate member rotates about an axis extending in the up-down direction.

A sail drive according to Appendix 13, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 12,

• • the intermediate unit includes
    • a first communication mode in which the first groove and the third groove communicate with each other and the second groove and the fourth groove communicate with each other, and
    • a second communication mode in which the first groove and the fourth groove communicate with each other and the second groove and the third groove communicate with each other, and
  • switching between the first communication mode and the second communication mode is performed when the intermediate member rotates about the axis.

A sail drive according to Appendix 14, wherein, in the sail drive according to any one of Appendices 8 to 11,

• • the flow passage is switched when positions of the pair of through holes are changed.

A sail drive according to Appendix 15, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 14,

• • the intermediate unit includes
    • a first communication mode in which the first groove and the third groove communicate with each other and the second groove and the fourth groove communicate with each other, and
    • a second communication mode in which the first groove and the fourth groove communicate with each other and the second groove and the third groove communicate with each other, and
  • switching between the first communication mode and the second communication mode is performed when positions of the pair of through holes are changed.

A sail drive according to Appendix 16, wherein, in the sail drive according to any one of Appendices 8 to 15,

• • the intermediate member has a positioning portion corresponding to at least one of the upper member and the lower member.

A sail drive according to Appendix 17, wherein, in the sail drive according to Appendix 16,

• • the positioning portion protrudes toward at least one of the upper member and the lower member.

A ship according to Appendix 18 comprising the sail drive according to any one of Appendices 1 to 17.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be implemented by being extended or changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is applicable to, for example, a ship such as a sailing ship.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1 Ship
  • 3 Sail drive
  • 31 Upper unit
  • 31P Upper flow passage
  • 31Pi Upper flow passage inlet
  • 31Po Upper flow passage outlet
  • 32 Lower unit
  • 32P Lower flow passage
  • 32Pi Lower flow passage inlet
  • 32Po Lower flow passage outlet
  • 33 Intermediate unit
  • 33M1 First communication mode
  • 33M2 Second communication mode
  • CL Refrigerant
  • CLP Flow passage (flow passage of refrigerant)
  • PD1 First lower port
  • PD2 Second lower port
  • PU1 First upper port
  • PU2 Second upper port
  • SP Switching member
  • SP1 Upper member
  • SP1AX Central axis (central axis of upper member)
  • SP1a First groove
  • SP1b Second groove
  • SP2 Lower member
  • SP2AX Central axis (central axis of lower member)
  • SP2a Third groove
  • SP2b Fourth groove
  • SP3 Intermediate member
  • SP3a Through hole
  • SP3b Positioning portion
  • SP5a Groove portion
  • SP5a1 Downward groove
  • SP5a2 Upward groove
  • SP5a3 Communication portion