Engine air inlet device for forklift

Abstract

The invention discloses an engine air inlet device for a forklift. An engine intake apparatus for a forklift includes an intake flow path through a forklift counterweight and an intake pipe connected to the intake flow path to provide intake air to an engine of the forklift.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an engine intake device for a forklift truck. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a forklift truck is an industrial vehicle used for lifting and transporting heavy objects, and is classified into an engine-based forklift truck and an electric-based forklift truck according to its power source.

[0003] An engine-based forklift truck generally includes a main frame in which an engine is installed. A mast assembly including forks is installed on the front side of the main frame, and a driver's seat is provided on the upper part of the main frame.

[0004] Meanwhile, placing the engine and the driver's seat close to each other in a forklift truck may cause intake noise for driving the engine to be excessively transmitted to the driver.

[0005] In particular, in the case where a forklift truck is equipped with a roof guard, intake noise from the engine is not easily discharged to the outside and is concentrated in the direction of the driver's seat, so that the noise level transmitted to the driver may be further increased.

[0006] To solve this situation, an additional resonator may be installed to reduce the intake noise of the engine. However, in order to ensure the installation space for the resonator, it is necessary to increase the size of the engine room or prepare a separate installation space for the resonator, thereby reducing the reduction in space utilization. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an engine intake device for a forklift truck, which can effectively reduce the intake noise of the engine without reducing the space utilization of the forklift truck.

[0008] Additional aspects of the present disclosure are partially set forth in the following description, and partially should be understood from the description, or can be learned through the practice of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an engine intake device for a forklift truck includes an intake air flow path passing through a counterweight of the forklift truck and an intake pipe connected to the intake air flow path to supply intake air to an engine of the forklift truck.

[0010] The forklift truck may further include a main frame on which an engine is installed and a driver's seat located on the upper part of the main frame, and the counterweight may be provided at the rear side of the main frame, and the intake air flow path may include an inlet provided on one side of the counterweight.

[0011] The engine intake device for a forklift truck may further include a branch flow path and a cap. The branch flow path branches out from the midpoint of the intake air flow path to communicate with the intake air flow path and extends to the outer surface of the counterweight. The cap is configured to at least close a part of the branch flow path so that a resonance chamber is formed through the branch flow path.

[0012] The cap can be inserted into the distal end in the extending direction of the branch flow path from the outside of the counterweight with an adjustable insertion depth.

[0013] The cap can be inserted into the distal end in the extending direction of the branch flow path from the outside of the counterweight, and the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber can be adjusted according to the length of the cap.

[0014] The branch flow path can include a bent portion.

[0015] The intake air flow path can be formed such that at least its inlet side is inclined toward the ground.

[0016] The sound-absorbing material can be provided on the inner surface of the intake air flow path.

[0017] The inner surface of the intake air flow path can be roughened. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and / or other aspects of the present disclosure should be apparent and will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 The configuration of a forklift to which an engine intake device for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 The structure of the counterweight of a forklift to which an engine intake device for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure taken along the cutting line A-A Figure 2 of.

[0022] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure taken along the cutting line B-B Figure 3 of.

[0023] Figure 5 shows Figure 3 the state in which the position of the cap in is adjusted.

[0024] Figure 6 A modification example of a film in an engine intake device for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figure 7 and Figure 8 show modification examples of a branch flow path in an engine intake device for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 9Shows a modified example of an intake air flow path in an engine intake device for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 10 Shows another modified example of an intake air flow path in an engine intake device for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals always refer to like elements. This specification does not describe all elements of the disclosed embodiments, and detailed descriptions of well-known content in the art or detailed descriptions of substantially the same configurations are omitted. Terms such as "part", "module", "component", "block", etc. used in the specification can be implemented in software or hardware. In addition, a plurality of "parts", "modules", "components", "blocks", etc. can be embodied as one component. One "part", "module", "component", "block", etc. can also include a plurality of components.

[0029] Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it can be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, and "indirectly connected to" includes being connected to the other element via a wireless communication network.

[0030] In addition, it should be understood that the terms "include" and "have" are intended to indicate the presence of elements disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other elements.

[0031] Throughout the specification, when a member is located "on" another member, this includes not only when one member is in contact with the other member, but also when the other member is present between the two members.

[0032] Terms such as first, second, primary, secondary, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another component, and the components are not limited to the above terms.

[0033] Expressions used in the singular form include the plural form, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

[0034] The reference numerals used in the operations are for convenience of description and are not intended to describe the order of the operations, and unless otherwise specified, the operations can be performed in a different order.

[0035] When a component, device, element, etc. of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be considered herein as "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function.

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 The structure of a forklift to which an engine intake device 10 for a forklift according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied is shown.

[0038] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the forklift is provided with a main body frame 1 of a vehicle (e.g., a forklift) on which an engine is mounted, and a mast assembly 2 can be mounted on the front side of the main body frame 1.

[0039] The mast assembly 2 may include a mast rail 2a provided in the vertical direction and a carriage 2b that moves up and down along the mast rail 2a.

[0040] The carriage 2b can move up and down along a chain mounted on the mast rail 2a, and a pair of forks 3 for lifting a load are mounted on the front side of the carriage 2b, and the width between the pair of forks 3 can be adjusted left and right.

[0041] Front wheels 4a and rear wheels 4b can be respectively provided on the front side and the rear side of the main body frame 1, and a driver's seat 5 can be located on the upper part of the main body frame 1. A roof guard 6 can be mounted above the driver's seat 5 to protect the driver.

[0042] An exhaust manifold (not shown) and an intake manifold (not shown) can be mounted in the engine, and an exhaust pipe (not shown) and an intake pipe 20 for guiding exhaust gas and intake air can be respectively connected to the exhaust manifold and the intake manifold.

[0043] An air filter (not shown) can be inserted between the intake pipe 20 and the intake manifold to filter the intake air guided to the intake manifold.

[0044] In addition, a counterweight 7 can be mounted on the rear side of the main body frame 1. The counterweight 7 can be provided on the upper side of the rear wheels 4b.

[0045] The counterweight 7 can be used to transfer the center of gravity of the load concentrated on the front side of the vehicle body to the rear side, so that the load can be stably transported and lifted. The counterweight 7 may include a counterweight body 8 and a cover 9 made of a resin material covering the counterweight body 8.

[0046] On the other hand, as Figures 2 to 4 shown, the counterweight 7 is provided with an intake air flow path 30 passing through the counterweight 7, and the intake pipe 20 can be connected to the intake air flow path 30 to supply the intake air guided through the intake air flow path 30 to the engine. The intake pipe 20 can be coupled to the counterweight 7 such that its inlet is connected to the outlet 32a of the intake air flow path 30 passing through the counterweight 7.

[0047] The intake air flow path 30 can be provided with a polygonal cross-section, such as circular or rectangular.

[0048] The intake air flow path 30 and the intake pipe 20, together with an air cleaner (not shown) and an intake manifold (not shown), can form an engine intake device 10 for a forklift that supplies intake air to the engine.

[0049] The intake air flow path 30 can form an intake passage together with the intake pipe 20, and the inlet 31a of the intake air flow path 30 can form the inlet of the intake passage.

[0050] Therefore, the intake air flow path 30 formed in the counterweight 7 can increase the distance between the inlet of the intake passage and the driver's seat 5 by moving the inlet of the intake passage toward the rear side of the driver's seat 5. Thus, the intake noise transmitted from the inlet of the intake passage to the driver's seat 5 can be reduced.

[0051] In addition, the counterweight 7 equipped with the intake air flow path 30 and serving as a sound insulation member can increase the diffraction attenuation value of the intake noise and improve the sound insulation effect through the mass effect, thereby preventing the intake noise from being transmitted to the driver's seat 5.

[0052] In addition, the intake air flow path 30 formed in the counterweight 7 can increase the flow path of the intake air, so that the intake air with sufficiently reduced noise is supplied to the engine, thereby contributing to reducing the intake noise generated by the engine.

[0053] Considering the typical shape of the counterweight 7 (which has a longer length in the width direction of the forklift than in the traveling direction of the forklift), it may be desirable to set the inlet 31a of the intake air flow path 30 on one side of the counterweight 7 so that the intake air flow path 30 can extend along the width direction of the forklift on the counterweight 7.

[0054] The outlet 32a of the intake air flow path 30 can be formed on the front side of the counterweight 7 to facilitate guiding the intake air to the engine arranged on the front side.

[0055] The intake air flow path 30 can be formed such that at least the inlet 31a side is inclined toward the ground to prevent foreign objects such as rainwater from entering the intake air flow path 30.

[0056] The intake air flow path 30 can include an inlet portion 31 that extends a predetermined length from the inlet 31a into the counterweight 7 and an outlet portion 32 that bends and extends from the inlet portion 31 toward the outlet 32a. The inlet portion 31 on which the inlet 31a is formed can be completely inclined downward toward the ground to prevent foreign objects from entering.

[0057] The counterweight body 8 of the counterweight 7 can be made of a casting. When the counterweight body 8 is prepared by casting, during the molding process of the counterweight body 8, by adding a structure for forming the intake air flow path 30 to the mold for casting the counterweight body 8, the intake air flow path 30 can be provided integrally with the counterweight body 8.

[0058] In the intake air flow path 30, the cover 9 side of the counterweight 7 can be integrally provided with the cover 9 during the molding process of the cover 9 by machining holes in the injection-molded cover 9 or by adding structures to the mold for injection-molding the cover, so as to form holes corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the intake air flow path 30.

[0059] The method of manufacturing the counterweight body 8 or molding the intake air flow path 30 is not limited to the above method. Considering the molding efficiency, the intake air flow path 30 can be prepared by applying various molding methods according to the manufacturing method of the counterweight body 8.

[0060] For example, the counterweight body 8 can be provided by filling heavy materials such as slag or mercury inside a metal box, and the intake air flow path 30 can be provided in the counterweight body 8 by machining additional holes in the manufactured counterweight body 8.

[0061] In addition, the engine intake device 10 for a forklift can further include a branch flow path 40 and a cap 50. The branch flow path 40 branches out from the midpoint of the intake air flow path 30 to communicate with the intake air flow path 30 and extends to the outer surface of the counterweight 7. The cap 50 closes at least a part of the branch flow path 40 to form a resonance chamber 60 for reducing the intake air noise passing through the intake air flow path 30.

[0062] The resonance chamber 60 is designed to reduce the flow noise of the intake air flowing along the intake air flow path 30, and can be set such that its resonance frequency matches the noise frequency of the intake air flow path 30.

[0063] The cap 50 can be inserted into the branch flow path 40 from the outside of the counterweight 7 to block the communication between the branch flow path 40 and the outside of the counterweight 7.

[0064] The cap 50 can be separately manufactured and assembled with the counterweight body 8 to be inserted into the branch flow path 40.

[0065] As Figure 5 shown, the cap 50 can be inserted into the distal end in the extending direction of the branch flow path 40 from the outside of the counterweight 7 with an adjustable insertion depth.

[0066] Therefore, the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber 60 can vary according to the insertion position of the cap 50 inserted into the branch flow path 40.

[0067] Therefore, by adjusting the insertion position of the cap 50 inserted into the branch flow path 40 to tune the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber 60 to match the noise frequency of the intake air flow path 30, the effect of reducing the intake air noise through the resonance chamber 60 can be increased.

[0068] As Figure 6 shown, the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber 60 can be adjusted by the length of the cap 50 inserted into the branch flow path 40.

[0069] For example, the cap 50 is inserted into the branch flow path 40 such that one end in the longitudinal direction of the cap 50 is aligned with the end of the branch flow path 40 in the extending direction, but the length of the cap 50 that closes the branch flow path 40 can vary. This can allow the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber 60 and the noise frequency of the intake air flow path 30 to be tuned to match.

[0070] At this time, the end face of the cap 50 exposed outside the counterweight 7 can be processed so that no step is formed between the end face of the cap 50 and the outer surface of the surrounding counterweight 7, thereby preventing the resonance chamber 60 from damaging the aesthetic appearance of the counterweight 7.

[0071] When the counterweight body 8 is molded together with the intake air flow path 30, the branch flow path 40 can be provided integrally with the counterweight body 8, or can be machined to communicate with the intake air flow path 30 in the molded counterweight body 80.

[0072] In addition, in the branch flow path 40, the lid 9 side of the counterweight 7 can be provided integrally with the lid 9 by machining a hole in the injection-molded lid 9 or by adding a structure to the mold for injection-molding the lid, so that a hole corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the branch flow path 40 is formed.

[0073] On the other hand, if the frequency of the intake noise corresponds to a relatively low frequency, it may be necessary to form a slightly longer length of the resonance chamber 60 to increase the attenuation effect of the intake noise.

[0074] For this purpose, as Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the branch flow path 40 can be provided with a bent portion 41 to ensure a longer length of the resonance chamber 60.

[0075] At this time, the end face of the cap 50 exposed outside the counterweight 7 is also processed so that no step is formed between the end face of the cap 50 and the outer surface of the surrounding counterweight 7, thereby preventing the resonance chamber 60 from damaging the aesthetic appearance of the counterweight 7.

[0076] As Figure 8 shown, when the counterweight 7 has a bent shape around the outer surface of the cap 50, the end face of the cap 50 can have a bent shape with the same curvature as the outer surface of the counterweight 7, so that the end face of the cap 50 can match the outer surface of the surrounding counterweight 7.

[0077] In addition, as Figure 9 shown, a sound-absorbing material 70 can be provided on the inner surface of the intake air flow path 30 to improve the sound-absorbing performance.

[0078] The sound-absorbing material 70 can be made of a foam-based resin or a fabric-based fabric and can be attached to the inner surface of the intake air flow path 30.

[0079] In addition, as Figure 10As shown, the inner surface of the intake air flow path 30 can be roughened. For example, the inner surface of the intake air flow path 30 can be roughened to form an uneven surface 30a.

[0080] The roughened inner surface of the intake air flow path 30 can cause fluid flow, such that the fluid passing through the intake air flow path 30 generates turbulence, thereby increasing the flow resistance of the fluid. Accordingly, the flow noise of the fluid can be reduced.

[0081] It is apparent from the foregoing that various embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an engine intake device for a forklift that can improve the visibility of a driver and the safety of a pedestrian while considering power consumption.

[0082] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An engine intake device for a forklift, comprising: an intake air flow path that passes through the counterweight of the forklift, and an intake pipe that is connected to the intake air flow path to supply intake air to the engine of the forklift.

2. The engine intake device according to claim 1, wherein the forklift further includes a main body frame on which the engine is mounted and a driver's seat located on an upper portion of the main body frame, the counterweight is disposed at a rear side of the main body frame, and the intake air flow path includes an inlet provided on one side of the counterweight.

3. The engine intake device according to claim 1, further comprising: a branch flow path that branches out from a midpoint of the intake air flow path to communicate with the intake air flow path and extend to an outer surface of the counterweight, and a cap that is configured to enclose at least a portion of the branch flow path such that a resonance chamber is formed through the branch flow path.

4. The engine intake device according to claim 3, wherein, the cap is inserted into a distal end in an extending direction of the branch flow path from an outer side of the counterweight with an adjustable insertion depth.

5. The engine intake device according to claim 3, wherein, the cap is inserted into a distal end in an extending direction of the branch flow path from an outer side of the counterweight, and the resonance frequency of the resonance chamber is adjusted according to the length of the cap.

6. The engine intake device according to claim 3, wherein, the branch flow path includes a bent portion.

7. The engine intake device according to claim 1, wherein, the intake air flow path is formed such that at least its inlet side is inclined toward the ground.

8. The engine intake device according to claim 1, wherein, a sound-absorbing material is provided on an inner surface of the intake air flow path.

9. The engine intake device according to claim 1, wherein, the inner surface of the intake air flow path is roughened.

Images