Engine air cleaner device

Abstract

To provide an engine air cleaner device which can reduce noise emitted from a lower case.SOLUTION: A recess part 31H is formed in a center part in a front-rear direction on a bottom surface of a lower case 31, the recess being recessed upward and extending in a right-left direction of the lower case 31. A center protrusion part 31M is provided in a center part in the right-left direction of the recess part 31H, the protrusion part protruding downward and extending in the front-rear direction of the lower case 31. A center fixed part 31G is provided on a bottom surface of the center protrusion part 31M. A front protrusion part 31J is formed on in front portion of the bottom surface of the lower case 31, the front protrusion part 31J protruding downward relative to the recess part 31H and extending in the right-left direction. A rear protrusion part 31K is formed in a rear portion of the bottom surface of the lower case 31, the rear protrusion part 31K protruding downward relative to the recess part 31H and extending in the right-left direction. The center protrusion part 31M is continuous with the front protrusion part 31J and the rear protrusion part 31K.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air cleaner device for an engine. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional air cleaner device for an engine is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes an air cleaner device in which an air cleaner case is disposed above an engine body, and in addition to the outer edge of the air cleaner case, the center of the bottom surface of the air cleaner case is fixed to the upper part of the engine body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-202635 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the upper part of the engine body has an uneven shape due to the arrangement of parts such as an ignition coil and a breather chamber. Therefore, in order to reduce the overall height of the engine including the air cleaner device while avoiding interference between the air cleaner device and the ignition coil, etc., it is preferable to make the bottom of the air cleaner device into a concave shape that is recessed upward. On the other hand, if the bottom of the air cleaner device is made into a concave shape, the lower case constituting the bottom becomes thinner and the rigidity of the bottom decreases, which may increase the noise emitted from the air cleaner case of the air cleaner device. For this reason, the air cleaner device described in Patent Document 1 has room for further improvement so that the noise emitted from the lower case can be reduced while avoiding interference with the ignition coil, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide an engine air cleaner device capable of reducing noise emitted from the lower case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is an air cleaner device for an engine comprising an air cleaner case arranged above an engine body and a filter element held inside the air cleaner case, the air cleaner case having an upper case and a lower case connected to a lower part of the upper case with the filter element sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case, an outer fixing part which is fixed to an upper part of the engine body is provided at an outer edge of the lower case, and a central fixing part which is fixed to the upper part of the engine body is provided at a central part of the bottom surface of the lower case, wherein a recess which is recessed upward and extends in the left-right direction of the lower case is formed in the front-to-rear central part of the bottom surface of the lower case, a central bulge part which bulges downward and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the lower case is located in the left-to-right central part of the recess, and the central fixing part is located at the bottom of the central bulge part. Effect of the Invention

[0007] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an engine air cleaner device capable of reducing noise emitted from the lower case. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an engine equipped with an air cleaner device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view of an engine equipped with an air cleaner device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of the air cleaner device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4]4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of the air cleaner device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow VV of the air cleaner device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of the air cleaner device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the bottom of the air cleaner device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An air cleaner device for an engine according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an air cleaner case disposed above an engine body, and a filter element held inside the air cleaner case, the air cleaner case having an upper case and a lower case connected to a lower part of the upper case with the filter element sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case, an outer fixing part fixed to an upper part of the engine body is provided at an outer edge of the lower case, and a central fixing part fixed to the upper part of the engine body is provided at a central part of a bottom surface of the lower case, wherein a recess is formed in a front-to-rear central part of the bottom surface of the lower case that is recessed upward and extends in a left-to-right direction of the lower case, a central bulge part is disposed in a left-to-right central part of the recess that bulges downward and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the lower case, and the central fixing part is disposed at a bottom of the central bulge part. As a result, the air cleaner device for an engine according to one embodiment of the present invention can reduce noise emitted from the lower case. EXAMPLES

[0010] An engine air cleaner device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 7 are diagrams showing an engine air cleaner device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figures 1 to 7, the up-down, front-rear, left-right directions refer to the up-down, front-rear, left-right directions of the engine air cleaner device when installed in a vehicle, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction is the left-right direction, and the height direction of the engine air cleaner device is the up-down direction.

[0011] First, the overall configuration will be described. In Figures 1 and 2, the engine 3 is composed of an engine body 4 and various parts such as an intake manifold 50 and an air cleaner device 30. The engine 3 is arranged in an engine room of a vehicle (not shown) in a so-called horizontally placed position. The horizontally placed position means that the engine 3 is mounted on the vehicle in a position where the direction of the cylinder rows coincides with the vehicle width direction (left-right direction).

[0012] The engine body 4 includes a cylinder block 11, a cylinder head 12 connected to an upper part of the cylinder block 11, and a cylinder head cover 13 connected to an upper part of the cylinder head 12. The engine body 4 also includes an oil pan (not shown) below the cylinder block 11.

[0013] The cylinder block 11 is provided with a plurality of cylinders (not shown). The engine 3 of this embodiment is configured as a three-cylinder engine having three cylinders, but is not limited to a three-cylinder engine. A piston (not shown) is housed in each cylinder, and the piston reciprocates vertically relative to the cylinder.

[0014] A transmission (not shown) is connected to the left end in the cylinder row direction of the cylinder block 11. The cylinder head 12 is provided with a plurality of intake ports, a plurality of intake valves that open and close the intake ports, a plurality of exhaust ports, and a plurality of exhaust valves that open and close the exhaust ports, all of which are not shown.

[0015] In addition to the engine body 4, the engine 3 includes an air cleaner device 30 and an intake manifold 50.

[0016] The air cleaner device 30 is formed into a rectangular box shape as a whole when viewed from above, and is disposed above the cylinder head cover 13. The air cleaner device 30 is connected to an intake pipe (not shown), and filters the air (outside air) taken in through the intake pipe. The air cleaner device 30 is also connected in turn to a throttle body (not shown), an intake manifold 50, and an intake port (not shown) of the engine body 4. The air filtered by the air cleaner device 30 is introduced into the intake port via the throttle body and the intake manifold 50.

[0017] The intake manifold 50 is connected to the rear surface of the cylinder head 12. The intake manifold 50 supplies air introduced from the air cleaner device 30 via the throttle body to the intake ports of each cylinder.

[0018] An air inlet pipe 31A extending to the right is provided at the lower rear portion of the air cleaner device 30. An air inlet 31B opens to the right at the right end of the air inlet pipe 31A. An intake pipe is connected to the air inlet 31B of the air inlet pipe 31A.

[0019] An air outlet pipe 32A extending leftward is provided at the upper portion of the left end of the air cleaner device 30. An air outlet 32B opens to the left at the left end of this air outlet pipe 32A. The air outlet 32B of the air outlet pipe 32A is connected to the throttle body via an air cleaner outlet hose (not shown).

[0020] 2, the air cleaner device 30 includes an air cleaner case 30A, which is disposed above the engine body 4. The air cleaner case 30A has an upper case 32 and a lower case 31 connected to a lower part of the upper case 32 with a filter element 33 sandwiched between the upper case 32 and a lower case 31.

[0021] The lower case 31 and the upper case 32 are joined in a closed state by attaching a plurality of clips 66 to the sides. The air outlet pipe 32A is provided in the upper case 32, and the air inlet pipe 31A is provided in the lower case 31.

[0022] 4, the air cleaner device 30 includes a filter element 33. The filter element 33 is formed in a flat plate shape, and is held inside the air cleaner case 30A in a state where it is sandwiched between a joint surface 30B between the lower case 31 and the upper case 32.

[0023] 6 and 7, the outer edge of the lower case 31 of the air cleaner device 30 is provided with front fixing portions 31C, 31D and rear fixing portions 31E, 31F which are fixed to the upper part of the engine body 4. In FIG.

[0024] The front fixing parts 31C, 31D and the rear fixing parts 31E, 31F constitute the outer fixing parts in the present invention, and function as fixing legs for fixing the air cleaner device 30 to the engine body 4.

[0025] More specifically, a pair of left and right front fixing parts 31C, 31D are provided on the front edge of the lower case 31. The left front fixing part 31C and the right front fixing part 31D are provided at a distance in the vehicle width direction. The front fixing parts 31C, 31D extend forward from the front end of the lower case 31 in parallel with each other.

[0026] The front ends of the front fixing parts 31C and 31D are fixed by bolts 61 to the front end of the upper surface of the cylinder head cover 13 of the engine body 4 via vibration-isolating bushings 62 made of elastic material.

[0027] A pair of left and right rear fixing portions 31E, 31F are provided on the rear edge of the bottom of the lower case 31. The left rear fixing portion 31E and the right rear fixing portion 31F are provided at an interval in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The rear fixing portions 31E, 31F extend parallel to each other rearward and downward from the rear end of the lower case 31. In other words, the rear fixing portions 31E, 31F extend obliquely rearward and downward.

[0029] The tips (rear ends) of the rear fixing parts 31E, 31F are fitted into the upper part of the intake manifold 50 via vibration-isolating bushings 63 made of elastic material. Therefore, the rear fixing parts 31E, 31F are fixed to the engine body 4 via the intake manifold 50.

[0030] A central fixing part 31G is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the lower case 31, which is fixed to the upper part of the engine body 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the central fixing part 31G is fitted into the upper surface of the cylinder head cover 13 of the engine body 4 via a vibration-isolating bushing 64 made of an elastic member.

[0031] An upwardly protruding seat portion 13A is formed on the upper surface of the cylinder head cover 13, and a central fixing portion 31G is fitted into this seat portion 13A.

[0032] In this manner, the air cleaner device 30 is fixed to the engine body 4 at five locations: the two front fixing portions 31C, 31D, the two rear fixing portions 31E, 31F, and the one central fixing portion 31G.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, three ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R, one for each cylinder, are disposed on the upper portion of the engine body 4, protruding upward and adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.

[0034] In this way, the upper part of the cylinder head cover 13 of the engine body 4 has an uneven shape due to the arrangement of the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R. Therefore, in order to suppress the overall height of the engine 3 including the air cleaner device 30 while avoiding interference between the engine body 4 and the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R, it is preferable to make the bottom of the air cleaner device 30 into a concave shape that is recessed upward. In addition to avoiding interference with the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R, it may be preferable to make the bottom of the air cleaner device 30 into a concave shape that is recessed upward for other reasons. When the bottom of the air cleaner device 30 is made into a concave shape, it is considered that the noise emitted from the air cleaner case 30A increases due to the thinning of the bottom, and this needs to be prevented.

[0035] 4, 6, and 7, a recess 31H is formed in the center of the bottom surface of the lower case 31 in the front-rear direction, and the recess 31H is recessed upward and extends in the left-right direction of the lower case 31. Here, "recessed upward" means a state in which it is receding toward the back side (upward) when viewed from below. An air inlet pipe 31A is provided at the rear end of the lower case 31, and this air inlet pipe 31A bulges backward and downward.

[0036] A central bulge 31M is disposed in the center of the recess 31H in the left-right direction, and this central bulge 31M bulges downward and extends in the front-rear direction of the lower case 31. The central fixing portion 31G is disposed at the bottom of the central bulge 31M. With the central fixing portion 31G fitted into the pedestal portion 13A on the upper surface of the cylinder head cover 13, the central bulge 31M is supported by the pedestal portion 13A.

[0037] A front bulge 31J is formed at the front part of the bottom surface of lower case 31. Front bulge 31J bulges downward relative to recess 31H and extends in the left-right direction.

[0038] A rear bulge 31K is formed at the rear of the bottom surface of the lower case 31. The rear bulge 31K bulges downward relative to the recess 31H and extends in the left-right direction. The central bulge 31M is continuous with the front bulge 31J and the rear bulge 31K. In other words, the front bulge 31J and the rear bulge 31K are connected by the central bulge 31M.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, three ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R for each cylinder are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction and protrude upward from the upper portion of the engine body 4. The ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R are arranged in the recessed portion 31H. The central bulge portion 31M is arranged between the adjacent ignition coils 25C and 25R.

[0040] 5, 6, and 7, the recess 31H is formed with a parallel bulge 31L that bulges downward and extends parallel to the central bulge 31M. The parallel bulge 31L is disposed to the left of the central bulge 31M and between the adjacent ignition coils 25L and 25C.

[0041] 4, central bulge 31M, front bulge 31J, rear bulge 31K and parallel bulge 31L are located below reference line L which is parallel to joint surface 30B between lower case 31 and upper case 32 and which is set to pass through the rear end of the bottom surface of lower case 31. Central bulge 31M, front bulge 31J, rear bulge 31K and parallel bulge 31L function as reinforcing ribs.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the recess 31H, which is recessed upward and extends in the left-right direction of the lower case 31, is formed in the center in the front-rear direction of the bottom surface of the lower case 31. Furthermore, the central bulging portion 31M, which bulges downward and extends in the front-rear direction of the lower case 31, is disposed in the center in the left-right direction of the recess 31H. The central fixing portion 31G is disposed at the bottom of the central bulging portion 31M.

[0043] As a result, lower case 31 has a recess 31H at its bottom, which makes it shallower and more susceptible to vibration at the bottom; however, since central bulge 31M extending in the front-to-rear direction of lower case 31 is located in the left-to-right center of recess 31H, central bulge 31M can increase the rigidity of the bottom of lower case 31.

[0044] Furthermore, since central fixing portion 31G located in the center of lower case 31 is disposed in central bulging portion 31M and fixed to the upper portion of engine body 4, it is possible to suppress vibration of the bottom of lower case 31. As a result, it is possible to reduce noise emitted from lower case 31.

[0045] In this embodiment, a front bulge 31J that bulges downward relative to the recess 31H and extends in the left-right direction is formed in the front part of the bottom surface of the lower case 31. A rear bulge 31K that bulges downward relative to the recess 31H and extends in the left-right direction is formed in the rear part of the bottom surface of the lower case 31. The central bulge 31M is continuous with the front bulge 31J and the rear bulge 31K.

[0046] As a result, front bulge 31J, which reinforces the front portion of the bottom surface of lower case 31, and rear bulge 31K, which reinforces the rear portion of the bottom surface of lower case 31, are connected by central bulge 31M, which reinforces the central portion of the bottom surface of lower case 31, thereby further increasing the rigidity of the bottom of lower case 31 and further reducing vibration.

[0047] In this embodiment, the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R for each cylinder are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction and protrude upward from the upper portion of the engine body 4, and the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R are arranged in the recessed portion 31H. The central bulge portion 31M is arranged between the adjacent ignition coils 25C and 25R.

[0048] As a result, the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R are arranged so as to be housed in the recesses 31H on the bottom surface of the lower case 31, thereby avoiding interference between the lower case 31 and the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R. Also, the central bulge 31M can be arranged on the bottom surface of the lower case 31 while avoiding interference between the lower case 31 and the ignition coils 25L, 25C, and 25R, thereby reducing noise radiated from the lower case 31.

[0049] In this embodiment, the recess 31H is formed with a parallel bulging portion 31L that bulges downward and extends parallel to the central bulging portion 31M.

[0050] As a result, the parallel bulging portion 31L extending parallel to the central bulging portion 31M can further improve the rigidity of the bottom portion of the lower case 31, and noise radiated from the lower case 31 can be reduced.

[0051] Although an embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 3...engine, 4...engine body, 13...cylinder head cover (engine body), 25L, 25C, 25R...ignition coil, 30...air cleaner device, 30A...air cleaner case, 31...lower case, 31C, 31D...front fixing portion (outer fixing portion), 31E, 31F...rear fixing portion (outer fixing portion), 31G...central fixing portion, 31H...recess, 31J...front bulge, 31K...rear bulge, 31L...parallel bulge, 31M...central bulge, 32...upper case

Claims

1. The engine includes an air cleaner case disposed above the engine body, and a filter element held inside the air cleaner case. the air cleaner case includes an upper case and a lower case connected to a lower part of the upper case with the filter element sandwiched between the upper case and the lower case, an outer fixing portion that is fixed to an upper portion of the engine body is provided at an outer edge portion of the lower case, An engine air cleaner device, wherein a central fixing portion is provided in a central portion of a bottom surface of the lower case, the central fixing portion being fixed to an upper portion of the engine body, a recessed portion recessed upward and extending in the left-right direction of the lower case is formed in a central portion of a bottom surface of the lower case in the front-rear direction, a central bulge portion that bulges downward and extends in the front-rear direction of the lower case is disposed in the center of the recess in the left-right direction, 10. An engine air cleaner device, wherein the central fixing portion is disposed at the bottom of the central bulge portion.

2. a front bulge portion that bulges downward relative to the recess and extends in the left-right direction is formed in a front portion of the bottom surface of the lower case, a rear bulge portion that bulges downward relative to the recess and extends in the left-right direction is formed at a rear portion of the bottom surface of the lower case, 2. The engine air cleaner device according to claim 1, wherein the central bulge is continuous with both the front bulge and the rear bulge.

3. Ignition coils for each cylinder are arranged on the upper part of the engine body, protruding upward and adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, The ignition coil is disposed in the recess, 3. The engine air cleaner device according to claim 1, wherein the central bulge is disposed between adjacent ones of the ignition coils.

4. 3. The engine air cleaner device according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed with a parallel bulge that bulges downward and extends parallel to the central bulge.

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