Air intake system for a vehicle

Abstract

An air intake system (1) for a vehicle comprises an air inlet member (3), an air cleaner (4) and a duct (5) provided with a first end (5a) connected to the air inlet member (3), a second end (5b) connected to the air cleaner (4), and an intermediate portion (7) located between the first and second ends (5a, 5b). The intermediate portion (7) includes a top half-section (7a) and a bottom half-section (7b) that define a channel wherethrough an air flow pathway da extends towards the air cleaner (4). The bottom half-section includes a channel bottom end (8). The channel bottom end 8 includes a channel floor section (12), a fluid drainage port wall (6), and a protruding wall section (13), wherein the channel floor section (12) is upstream from the protruding wall section (13). The fluid drainage port wall (6) and protruding wall section (13) extend upwards towards a channel top end (10). The fluid drainage port wall (6) includes a port wall bottom end (61) adjacent to the channel floor section (12) and a port wall top end (62) adjacent to a protruding wall section top end (13a), and wherein a drainage flow path (dw) extends along channel floor section (12), and through the fluid drainage port wall (6).

Description

[0001] AIR INTAKE SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an air intake system for a vehicle, more specifically the present invention relates to an air intake system comprising a drainage port for draining water out from the air intake system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Conventional vehicles include air intake systems that supply air to an internal combustion engine. The primary function of many air intake systems is to maximize airflow required for power generation or cooling. Some intake systems also supply filtered air. For internal combustion engines, air may be routed through a vehicle grill and into the air filter assembly.

[0006] Under certain conditions water and other particles, such as dust, can enter the air intake system and degrade functionality and performance. As a consequence, the air flow in the air intake system may be significantly restricted. Furthermore, build-up of water and debris can cause vehicle power loss and stalling.

[0007] In conventional air intake systems, the water and dust may enter the air intake system from the inlet point and get accumulated inside the duct by the drain port. This drain port has to be manually operated over a period of time to remove water and debris collected inside the duct for its functioning. In cold regions, the water collected inside the drain port solidifies which creates a problem for the water removal. If water particles reach the filter element when the suction pressure is high, that leads to damage or seizure of engine components.

[0008] In view of the above, it is an object to provide an improved air intake system for a vehicle, with a faciliated and enhanced drainage of water from the air intake system.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an air intake system that at least partially overcomes the above-described deficiencies. This is achieved by an air intake system according to claim 1 and a vehicle comprising the air intake system according to claim 9. According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to an an air intake system for a vehicle, the air intake system comprising an air inlet member, an air cleaner and a duct provided with a first end connected to the air inlet member, a second end connected to the air cleaner, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second ends. The intermediate portion includes a top halfsection and a bottom half-section that define a channel wherethrough an air flow pathway extends towards the air cleaner, wherein the bottom half-section includes a channel bottom end and the top half-section includes a channel top end opposing the channel bottom end. The channel bottom end includes a channel floor section, a fluid drainage port wall, and a protruding wall section, wherein the channel floor section is upstream from the protruding wall section. The drainage port wall and protruding wall section extend upwards towards the duct top end. The drainage port wall includes a port wall bottom end adjacent to the channel floor section and a port wall top end adjacent to a protruding wall section top end, whereby the port wall top end is located closer to the channel top end than the port wall bottom end, and wherein a drainage flow path extends along channel floor section, and through the drainage port wall.

[0011] The air intake system according to the present disclosure provides an effective and continuous drainage of water and debris from the duct. The fact that the duct comprises an inwardly protruding wall section restricts the flow of water in the duct. Such obstacle for the water prevents the water to pass further in the duct and it simultaneously provides continuous drainage of the water having entered the air intake system.

[0012] The drainage flow path may enter through a drainage port inlet located on / in the fluid drainage port wall on / in the interior surface of the intermediate portion in a direction coinciding, or essentially coinciding, with a direction of the air flow pathway da.

[0013] With “direction of the air flow pathway da” herein is meant the main direction of the air flow pathway da.

[0014] The configuration of the drainage port may thus provide the water to enter the drainage port inlet with a water direction coinciding, or essentially coinciding, with the direction of the air flow pathway in the duct, as seen in the intermediate section of the duct. By “essentially coinciding” herein, is meant that the water direction, when entering the drainage port inlet, is not deviating more than 40°+ 5°, optionally not more than 35°+ 5°, preferably not more than 25°+ 5°, from the direction of the air flow pathway, as seen in the intermediate section of the duct. The intermediate section is the section of the duct where the drainage port is arranged. The direction of the air flow pathway may be determined in a location being aligned with the drainage port, as seen in a vertical direction. The vertical direction is generally perpendicular to the direction of the air flow pathway in the intermediate section of the duct.

[0015] Such air intake system enables a facilitated and improved removal of the water and debris from the air intake system. The fact that the configuration of the drainage port provides the water to enter the drainage port inlet with a water direction coinciding, or essentially coinciding, with the direction of the air flow pathway in the duct, as seen in the intermediate section of the duct enables a rapid and facilitated drainage of water and debris from the duct.

[0016] The drainage port may be configured such that the drainage flowpath, when exiting the drainage port outlet, coincides, at least not deviate more than 40°, such as at least not more than 35°, with the direction of the air flow pathway in the duct. Such configuration enables a maintained rapid and facilitated flow throughout the drainage port.

[0017] The drainage port wall includes a port wall bottom end adjacent to the channel floor section and a port wall top end adjacent to a protruding wall section top end, whereby the port wall top end is located closer to the channel top end than the port wall bottom end. The port wall bottom end may be an upwardly extending wall end or may be part of, or an extension of, the channel floor section.

[0018] The drainage port may comprise three or more openings, each having a drainage channel extending between the respective drainage port inlet and the respective drainage port outlet.

[0019] Optionally, the drainage port may comprise one or more drainage channel(s) extending between a respective drainage port inlet and a respective drainage port outlet arranged at the outer wall of the duct and wherein the one or more drainage channels is / are slanted downwardly, such that the respective drainage port inlet are located closer to the channel top end than the respective drainage port outlet, as measured at the closest distance to the channel top end from the respective drainage port inlet and drainage port outlet. The one or more drainage channels may be slanted with an angle within the range of from 10° to 50° to the direction of the air flow pathway, preferably the one or more drainage channels may be slanted with an angle within the range of from 10° to 35° to the direction of the air flow pathway.

[0020] The protruding wall section may form an inwardly bulging wall section comprising a first duct section in which the drainage port is arranged and a second slanted wall section.

[0021] The drainage port outlet may be arranged in one or more slits arranged in an outer wall surface of the duct.

[0022] The one or more slits may extend in a direction being orthogonal to the air flow direction in the duct, as seen in the intermediate section of the duct.

[0023] The protruding wall section of the duct may form a recess on the exterior surface of the intemediate portion of the duct, with at least one drainage port outlet being arranged in the recess.

[0024] Optionally, a surface area of the interior surface of the fluid drainage port wall is within the range of from 20% to 30% of a total surface area of a cross-section of the duct, as measured at a cross-section of the channel where the interior surface of the fluid drainage port has its greatest cross-section surface area. Preferably, the interior surface of the fluid drainage port is within the range of from 23% to 25% of a total surface area of a cross-section of the channel. This has been found to minimize, or eliminate, the risk that the system pressure drop increases, while still blocking the water in the duct and thus improving the draining of the water from the duct. According to a second aspect, the present disclosure furthermore relates to a vehicle comprising the air inlet system according to the first aspect.

[0025] Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following description. The skilled person realizes that different features of the present invention may be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and nonlimiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein: Fig. 1 is a side view of a vehicle comprising an air intake system according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of an air intake system according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.;

[0029] Fig. 3 is a side view of the air intake system according to the present disclosure with a zoomed-in view of two alternative ducts according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.;

[0030] Fig. 4 is a partial cut-out view of the duct of an air intake system according to an embodiment in the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig. 5 shows a cross section taken from Fig. 4 along line A-A;

[0032] Fig. 6 shows a cross section taken from Fig. 4 along line B-B; and

[0033] Fig. 7 is a partial cut-out view if the duct of an air intake system according to an embodiment in the present disclosure.

[0034] DETAIL DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness. Like reference character refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0036] Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle 2 in the form of a truck, the truck 2 comprising an air intake system 1 according to the present disclosure. The truck 2 extends in a height direction X, a longitudinal direction Y and a transverse direction Z.

[0037] Fig. 2 illustrates an air intake system 1 as disclosed herein, comprising an air inlet member 3, an air cleaner 4 and a duct 5 connecting the air inlet member 3 and the air cleaner 4. The air intake system 1 having a height extension H, a longitudinal extension L and a transverse extension T and wherein the air intake system 1 is arranged in the truck 2 such that the height extension H extends in the height direction X of the truck 2, as shown in Fig. 1. In the present embodiment, the duct 5 includes a first end 5a connected to the air inlet member 3, a second end 5b connected to the air cleaner 4 and an intermediate portion 7 located between the first and second ends 5a, 5b. As shown, the first end 5a may extend at least partially upwards from the intermediate portion 7 and the second end 5b may also extend at least partially upwards from the intermediate portion 7. Although the present embodiment illustrates a generally “u- shaped” configuration, with the intermediate portion 7 located between upwards extending first and second ends 5a, 5b those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it is within the scope of the present embodiment to utilize alternative configurations. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the intermediate portion 7 is a hollow member that defines an internal air flow pathway in the direction of air flow dathat extends away from the air inlet member 3 and towards the air cleaner 4.

[0038] Advantageously, as shown best in FIG.4, the intermediate portion 7 of the duct 5 further includes a fluid drainage port wall 6 that allows fluids, such as water, that enter the duct 5 via the air-inlet 4 (shown in Fig. 2) to drain from the exterior surface 9b of the duct 5. The fluid drainage port wall 6 includes at least one drainage port inlet 6a and at least one drainage port outlet 6b that are arranged on the interior surface 9a and exterior surface 9b, respectively, of the intermediate portion 7. Since the first end 5a is located at least partially upwards from the intermediate portion 7, due to gravity, water that enters the duct 5 via the air inlet member 3 flows downward toward the fluid drainage port wall 6 where it may be expelled directly from the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate potion 7 via the one or more drainage channels located between an inlet and outlet, such as 6a, 6b, in the drainage port wall 6.

[0039] Turning to Figs. 2-5, the intermediate portion 7 includes top half-section 7a and bottom half-section 7b that define a channel wherethrough air flow pathway extends through in the direction of air flow da. The direction of air flow dahere is intended to mean the main direction of air flow da. The bottom half-section 7b includes a channel bottom end 8 and the top half-section 7a includes a channel top end 10. The channel bottom end 8 furthermore includes a channel floor section 12. As shown, the bottom half-section 7b includes the fluid drainage port wall 6 that extends at least partially upwards from the channel bottom end 8 of the bottom halfsection 7b towards the channel top end 10 of the top half-section 7a. In the present embodiment, the fluid drainage port wall 6 is shown extending between the channel floor section 12 and a top end 13a of a protruding wall section 13 of the channel bottom end 8, whereby the fluid drainage port wall 6 extends at least partially upwards towards the top half-section 7a from the channel floor section 12 to the protruding wall section 13. As shown, the channel floor section 12 is located upstream of the protruding wall section 13.

[0040] As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 4, the protruding wall section 13 is a protuberance in the channel bottom end 8 that extends at least partially upwards towards the channel top end 10 of the top half-section 7a from a portion of the channel bottom end 8 that is located downstream from the fluid drainage port wall 6 and the channel floor section 12. The protruding wall section 13 includes the protruding wall section top end 13a adjacent to the fluid drainage port wall 6. The fluid drainage port wall 6 includes a port wall bottom end 61 adjacent to the channel floor section 12. The port wall bottom end 61 of the fluid drainage port wall 6 is located further from the channel top end 10 of the top half-section 7a than the port wall top end 62 of the fluid drainage port wall 6.

[0041] The interior surface 9a of the intermediate portion 7 defines a drainage flow path dwthat extends along the channel floor section 12 of the bottom end 8 in substantially the same direction as direction of air flow da. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the drainage flow path dwextends along the channel floor section 12, through the drainage port wall 6, and exits the air intake system 1 at the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate portion 7 of the duct 5. According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the drainage flow path dwmay extend along the channel floor section 12, through the drainage port wall 6, and exit the air intake system 1 at the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate portion 7 in the substantially the same direction as direction of air flow da.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the protruding wall section 13 protrudes upwards towards the central axis Acof the intermediate portion 7 towards the air flow pathway daand towards the top end 10 of the top half-section 7a whereby a reduction in the Height He of the intermate portion 7 occurs in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the air flow pathway dabetween the channel bottom end 8 and channel top end 10. The upward protrusion of the protruding wall section 13 and the upward extension of the fluid drainage port wall 6 results in the inner surface 9b of the duct blocking the drainage flow path dwfrom extending up and over the protruding wall section 13 and downstream towards the air cleaner 4, while allowing drainage flow path dwto pass from the interior surface 9a of the intermediate portion 7 to the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate portion 7 via one or more drainage port inlets and outlets 6a, 6b and drainage channel(s) 14 in the fluid drainage port wall 6 extending between the port inlets and outlets 6a, 6b. Advantageously, the height Hw, shown in Fig. 6, at which the port wall 6 extends upwards from the channel floor section 12 is dimensioned to provide this water blocking effect without producing an excessive down-stream pressure drop within the intermediate portion 7 during air intake.

[0043] As shown in the configuration of the drainage port wall 6 in the embodiment of Fig. 2, 4 and 7, drainage flow path dwto enter the drainage port inlet 6a with a direction dwcoinciding, or essentially coinciding, with an air flow direction da, as seen in the intermediate section 7 of the duct 5 and at the location of the drainage port inlet 6a, in the duct 5. The drainage port wall 6 is furthermore configured such that the water direction dwwhen exiting the drainage port outlet 6b coincides, or at least not deviates more than 35° to 40° with the air flow direction dain the duct 5.

[0044] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the drainage port wall 6 may comprise three openings 16a, 16b, 16c, each having a respective drainage channel 14a, 14b, 14c extending between a respective drainage port inlet 6a on the interior surface 9a and a respective drainage port outlet 6b on the exterior surface 9b. This may be an optional feature and the drainage port wall 6 may alternatively comprise one, two, four, five or more opening, each having a respective drainage channel extending between the drainage port inlet and the drainage port outlet.

[0045] As furthermore illustrated in Fig. 3, in the alternative zoomed-in view, the drainage port wall 6 may include one elongated drainage channel 16d that extends from the interior surface 9a to the exterior surface 9b. Optionally, the drainage port wall 6 may comprise two, three, four or five elongated drainage channels . Such elongated openings may be arranged in parallel to each other, as seen in a horizontal or vertical direction.

[0046] According to one aspect of the present embodiment, he drainage port outlet(s), such as 6b, 6b’, 6b”, is / are formed in the exterior surface 9b of the duct 5 and the drainage port inlet(s), such as 6a, 6a’, 6a”, is / are formed in the interior surface 9a of the duct 5. According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the drainage port outlet(s), such as 6b, 6b’, 6b”, is / are formed in the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate portion 7 of the duct 5 and the drainage port inlet(s), such as 6a, 6a’, 6a”, is / are formed in the interior surface 9a of the intermediate portion 7 of the duct 5.

[0047] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the drainage channel(s) 14 extending between the drainage port inlet(s) 6a and the drainage port outlet(s) 6b’ may be slanted downwardly, such that the drainage port inlet 6a’ is located closer to the channel top end 10 of the top half-section 7a than the drainage port outlet 6b. With “downwardly” is meant with respect to the air intake system when being installed in the vehicle 2 (shown in Fig. 1) and corresponding to downwardly as seen in the height direction X of the truck 2. The fact that the drainage channel(s) 14 is / are slanted downwardly facilitates the water drainage and allows a more rapid drainage from the drainage port wall 6.

[0048] The drainage channel(s) 14 in Fig. 4 is / are slanted with an angle a within the range of from 10° to 50° to the air flow direction da, as seen in the intermediate section 7 of the duct 5.

[0049] As seen in Figs 2 to 4, the inwardly protruding wall section 13 and fluid drainage port wall 6 form an indentation 15 on the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate portion. 12c The drainage port outlet(s) 6b is / are arranged in the indentation 15 on the exterior surface 9b of the intermediate portion 7.

[0050] Figs. 5 and 6, show cross sectional views A-A of the duct 5 and B - B of the inwardly protruding wall section 13 taken from Fig. 4. In these figures, a surface area ai2, shown in B - B, of the inwardly protruding wall section 12 may be within the range of from 23% to 25% of a total surface area ae of a cross-section of the duct 5, as shown in A - A, the cross section view B - B being measured at a cross-section of the protruding wall section 13 where the inwardly protruding wall section 12 has its greatest cross-section surface area.

[0051] Fig. 7 shows the intermediate portion 7 of the duct 5 which includes the top half-section 7a and the bottom half-section 7b, the bottom half-section including the channel bottom end 8 and the top half-section 7a including the channel top end 10. In this Fig. 7, the fluid drainage port wall 6 is shown extending between the channel floor section 12 and a top end 13a of the protruding wall section 13 of the channel bottom end 8. The height Hw (see Fig. 6) at which the port wall 6 extends upwards from the channel floor section 12 is dimensioned to provide this water blocking effect without producing an excessive down-stream pressure drop within the intermediate portion 7 during air intake and may advantageously be within the range of from 20% to 35% of the total height He of the channel, as measured between the channel bottom end 8 and the channel top end 10.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An air intake system (1) for a vehicle (2), the air intake system (1) comprising an air inlet member (3), an air cleaner (4) and a duct (5) provided with a first end (5a) connected to the air inlet member (3), a second end (5b) connected to the air cleaner (4), and an intermediate portion (7) located between the first and second ends (5a, 5b), characterized in that: the intermediate portion (7) includes: a top half-section (7a) and a bottom half-section (7b) that define a channel wherethrough an air flow pathway daextends towards the air cleaner (4), wherein the bottom half-section includes a channel bottom end (8) and the top half-section (7a) includes a channel top end (10) opposing the channel bottom end (8); the channel bottom end (8) includes a channel floor section (12), a fluid drainage port wall (6), and a protruding wall section (13), wherein: the channel floor section (12) is upstream from the protruding wall section (13); the fluid drainage port wall (6) and protruding wall section (13) extend upwards towards the channel top end (10) of the top half-section (7a); the fluid drainage port wall (6) includes a port wall bottom end (61) adjacent to the channel floor section (12) and a port wall top end (62) adjacent to a protruding wall section top end (13a), whereby the port wall top end (62) is located closer to the channel top end (10) than the port wall bottom end (61); and wherein a drainage flow path (dw) extends along channel floor section (12), and through the fluid drainage port wall (6).

2. The air intake system (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid drainage port wall (6) is provided with a drainage port inlet (6a) and the drainage flow path (dw) enters through the drainage port inlet (6a) in a direction coinciding, or essentially coinciding, with a direction of the air flow pathway da.

3. The air intake system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid drainage port wall (6) is configured such that the drainage flow path (dw) exits a drainage port outlet (6b) located on / in the fluid drainage port wall (6) on / in the exterior surface (9a) of the intermediate portion (7) in a direction that coincides, at least not deviates more than 40°, with respect to a direction of the air flow pathway da..

4. The air intake system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid drainage port wall (6) comprises three or more openings (16a, 16b, 16c), each having a drainage channel (14a, 14b, 14c) extending between the respective drainage port inlet (6a,6a’6a”) and the respective drainage port outlet (6b, 6b’, 6b”).

5. The air intake system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid drainage port wall (6) comprises one or more drainage channel(s)(14a, 14b, 14c) extending between a respective drainage port inlet (6a,6a’6a”) and a respective drainage port outlet (6b, 6b’, 6b”) arranged at the outer wall (9) of the duct (5) and wherein the one or more drainage channels (14a, 14b, 14c) is / are slanted downwardly, such that the respective drainage port inlet (6a, 6a’, 6a”) are located closer to the channel top end (10) than the respective drainage port outlet (6b, 6b’, 6b”).

6. The air intake system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the one or more drainage channels (14a, 14b, 14c) is / are slanted with an angle within the range of from 10° to 50° with respect to a direction of the air flow pathway (da).

7. The air intake system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein theprotruding wall section (13) forms a recess (15) on the exterior surface (9a) of the intermediate portion (7) , with at least one drainage port outlet (6b, 6b’, 6b”) being arranged in the recess (15).

8. The air intake system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface area (ai2) of the interior surface (9b) of the fluid drainage port wall (6) is within the range of from 20% to 30%, preferably from 23% to 25%, of a total surface area (as) of a cross-section of the duct (5), as measured at a cross-section of the duct where the interior surface (9b) of fluid drainage port wall (6) has its greatestcross-section surface area.

9. A vehicle (2) comprising the air inlet system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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