Vehicles and air cleaner systems

Abstract

Without changing the shape of the air cleaner or the funnel, a funnel or air cleaner can be provided that is appropriate for the vehicle's characteristics. [Solution] The vehicle (10) is equipped with an air cleaner (32), and the funnel (37) of the air cleaner (32) is inserted into the opening (41) of the air cleaner (32) and connected to the air cleaner (32) by a connector (36), and the funnel body (35) is connected to the connector (36).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle and an air cleaner device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle including an intake passage portion that guides air to an intake port, the intake passage portion including an intake pipe, a throttle body connected to an upper end of the intake pipe, and a funnel connected to an upper end of the throttle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in Patent Document 1, when changing the shape of the funnel or the air cleaner shape according to vehicle characteristics, there is a problem that it is necessary to change the shape of the air cleaner or the shape of the funnel. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress a change in the air cleaner shape or the funnel shape even when the funnel shape or the air cleaner shape is changed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The vehicle includes an air cleaner, and the funnel of the air cleaner includes a connector inserted into an opening of the air cleaner and connected to the air cleaner, and a funnel body connected to the connector and coupled to the connector. The air cleaner device includes a funnel, the funnel including a connector inserted into an opening of the air cleaner and connected to the air cleaner, and a funnel body connected to the connector and coupled to the connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, by providing the connecting member separately from the air cleaner and funnel, and thereby changing the connecting member, it is possible to provide a funnel or air cleaner that suits the vehicle characteristics without changing the shape of the air cleaner or funnel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a saddle-type vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the air cleaner and surrounding components of the power unit. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the air cleaner. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the funnel. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a VV cross-sectional perspective view. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the funnel and throttle body. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the VII-VII section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, directions such as front, back, left, right, and up and down refer to directions relative to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified. In each figure, the symbol FR indicates the front of the vehicle body, the symbol UP indicates the top of the vehicle body, and the symbol LH indicates the left side of the vehicle body.

[0009] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a side view of a saddle-type vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The saddle-type vehicle 10 is a vehicle that comprises a body frame 11, a power unit 12 supported by the body frame 11, a front fork 14 that supports the front wheel 13 in a steerable manner, a swing arm 16 that supports the rear wheel 15, and a seat 17 for the rider. The saddle-type vehicle 10 is a vehicle in which the occupant sits straddling a seat 17. The seat 17 is located above the rear of the vehicle frame 11.

[0010] The vehicle frame 11 comprises a head pipe 18 located at the front end of the vehicle frame 11, a front frame 19 located behind the head pipe 18, and a rear frame 20 located behind the front frame 19. The front end of the front frame 19 is connected to the head pipe 18. The seat 17 is supported by the rear frame 20.

[0011] The front fork 14 is supported by a head pipe 18 so that it can be steered left and right. The front wheel 13 is supported by an axle 13a located at the lower end of the front fork 14. A steering handle 21, which is held by the rider, is attached to the upper end of the front fork 14.

[0012] The swingarm 16 is supported by a pivot shaft 22 which is supported by the vehicle frame 11. The pivot shaft 22 is an axis that extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction. The pivot shaft 22 is inserted through the front end of the swingarm 16. The swingarm 16 swings up and down around the pivot shaft 22. The rear wheel 15 is supported by an axle 15a located at the rear end of the swing arm 16.

[0013] The power unit 12 is positioned between the front wheels 13 and the rear wheels 15 and is supported by the vehicle frame 11. The power unit 12 is an internal combustion engine. The power unit 12 comprises a crankcase 23 and a cylinder section 24 that houses a reciprocating piston. An exhaust device 25 is connected to the exhaust port of the cylinder section 24. The output of the power unit 12 is transmitted to the rear wheel 15 by a driving force transmission member that connects the power unit 12 and the rear wheel 15.

[0014] In addition, the saddle-type vehicle 10 includes a front fender 26 that covers the front wheel 13 from above, a rear fender 27 that covers the rear wheel 15 from above, a step 28 on which the occupant places their feet, and a fuel tank 29 that stores fuel used by the power unit 12. The front fender 26 is attached to the front fork 14. The rear fender 27 and the step 28 are provided below the seat 17. The fuel tank 29 is supported by the vehicle body frame 11.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the saddle-type vehicle 10 includes a throttle body 31 connected to the power unit 12 and an air cleaner 32 connected to the throttle body 31.

[0016] The air cleaner 32 includes a cleaner base 33 and a cover 34 attached so as to cover the cleaner base 33.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, an air inlet 38 to which a suction hose 38A through which outside air flows is connected is formed at the front lower part of the cleaner base 33.

[0018] A filter element 39 is disposed above the air inlet 38. The space inside the air cleaner 32 above the filter element 39 becomes a clean air chamber 40 into which clean air flows.

[0019] An opening 41 is formed at the rear lower part of the cleaner base 33, and a connecting member 36 is attached so as to be fitted into the opening 41.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the throttle body 31 is attached to the exhaust cleaner base 33 of the air cleaner 32. An O-ring 42 (see Figure 4) is sandwiched between the throttle body 31 and the cleaner base 33. The throttle body 31 is equipped with an injector (not shown) and a throttle valve 45 that is pivotably mounted on a rotating shaft 44.

[0021] Below the throttle body 31, the power unit 12 is positioned.

[0022] The cylinder section 24, located at the top of the crankcase 23, comprises a cylinder block 50 and a cylinder head 51 attached to the top of the cylinder block 50.

[0023] The crankcase 23 houses a crankshaft 52 that is rotatably supported. The cylinder bore 54, which forms the inner wall of the cylinder block 50, houses a piston 53 that is slidably supported. The crankshaft 52 and the piston 53 are connected by a connecting rod 55.

[0024] A combustion chamber 56 is formed in the space enclosed between the cylinder block 50, the cylinder head 51, and the piston 53. An intake port 57 is formed on the rear side of the cylinder head 51, communicating with the combustion chamber 56, and an exhaust port 58 is formed on the front side of the cylinder head 51.

[0025] The cylinder head 51 houses an intake valve 59 that opens and closes the intake port 57, and an intake cam 60 that presses the intake valve 59. It also houses an exhaust valve 61 that opens and closes the exhaust port 58, and an exhaust cam 62 that presses the exhaust valve 61. The intake cam 60 is mounted on an intake camshaft 63, and the exhaust cam 62 is mounted on an exhaust camshaft 64.

[0026] The air drawn into the air cleaner 32 mainly passes through the intake path W, which goes from inside the funnel member 35 through the inside of the throttle body 31, and is drawn into the power unit 12 from the intake port 57.

[0027] Next, the funnel 37 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The air cleaner 32 is equipped with a funnel 37 inside the cover 34. A pair of openings 41 are formed in the lower end 33U of the cleaner base 33 of the air cleaner 32. The funnel 37 comprises a connecting member 36 that is inserted into the openings 41 of the cleaner base 33 and connected to the cleaner base 33, and a funnel member 35 that is inserted into the inner circumference 89 of the connecting member 36 and connected to the connecting member 36. The funnel 37 has a two-part structure consisting of the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36. The funnel 37 is made of resin. Because the funnel 37 is made of resin, it is possible to reduce weight while ensuring rigidity that can withstand pressure fluctuations inside the air cleaner 32. The funnel member 35 comprises a base material 79 and a pair of cylindrical body portions 70 provided on the base material 79. The upper ends 71 ​​of the pair of body portions 70 are formed to widen radially. The pair of cylindrical body portions 70 are provided opposite each other to a pair of openings 41 provided on the cleaner base portion 33. Furthermore, the body portion 70 may not be connected by the base material 79, but may be provided separately.

[0028] A body-side mounting portion 72 is formed at the lower part of the body portion 70, which is assembled to the connecting member 36. The body-side mounting portion 72 and the connecting member-side mounting portion 81 on the connecting member 36 side are fastened together by a screw 73 that runs from bottom to top.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a return portion 74 is formed at the lower rear of the body portion 70. The return portion 74 is formed as a plate extending from the outer wall of the body portion 70 toward the opening 41 of the air cleaner 32. As shown in Figure 3, a space is left between the return portion 74 and the outer wall surface of the body portion 70.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a canopy portion 75 is formed on the lower front of the body portion 70, projecting radially from the body portion 70. A projection 76 is formed on the canopy portion 75, projecting downward from its lower surface.

[0031] The projection 76 is positioned to cover the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 84 of the connecting member 36, which will be described later, and a labyrinth shape is formed by the joint portion 90 consisting of the projection 76 and the upper edge of the cylindrical portion 84. As a result, air is less likely to flow to the lower front side of the body portion 70 in the communication passage A1 between the body portion 70 and the cylindrical portion 84 of the connecting member 36, and the intake efficiency from the intake path W inside the funnel member 35 can be improved.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the funnel member 35 is provided such that the downstream extension 77 of the body 70 overlaps the upper part of the throttle body 31. The funnel member 35 draws in and guides air from the clean air chamber 40 of the air cleaner 32 into the throttle body 31 equipped with the throttle valve 45, forming a relatively smooth airflow. The downstream extension 77 of the funnel member 35 is positioned to protrude from the air cleaner 32 into the throttle body 31. Therefore, the airflow guided to the downstream extension 77 of the funnel member 35 is rectified inside the throttle body 31.

[0033] Next, the connecting member 36 will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 4, one connecting member 36 is positioned across two adjacent openings 41. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the connecting member 36 has three base mounting portions 80 arranged in a triangular shape. Screws 82 are inserted through the base mounting portions 80 from top to bottom, and these screws 82 fasten the connecting member 36, the cleaner base 33, and the throttle body 31 together.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the connecting member 36 is provided with a connecting member-side mounting portion 81 that fastens to the funnel member 35. The connecting member-side mounting portion 81 is fastened to a body-side mounting portion 72 formed on the lower part of the body portion 70 by a screw 73 that goes from bottom to top. When assembling the air cleaner 32, the funnel member 35 is first fixed to the connecting member 36. Next, the screw 82 is fastened from top to bottom to the base mounting portion 80 of the connecting member 36, which is then fastened to the cleaner base portion 33. At this time, the throttle body 31 is fastened together with the screw 82, thus fastening the throttle body 31 to the air cleaner 3. As a result, the funnel 37 is fixed to the cleaner base portion 33, and the cleaner base portion 33 is fixed to the throttle body 31. Next, the cover 34 of the air cleaner 32 is attached to the cleaner base portion 33, thereby assembling the air cleaner 32 to the throttle body 31.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the connecting member 36 comprises a cylindrical portion 84 formed to cover the body portion 70 in the circumferential direction, an outer wall portion 85 formed to cover the cylindrical portion 84 in the circumferential direction, and an annular portion 86 formed to protrude from the lower parts of the cylindrical portion 84 and the outer wall portion 85 and provided opposite to the downstream extension portion 77 of the funnel member 35.

[0036] The inner wall of the cylindrical portion 84 corresponds to the inner circumference 89 of the connecting member 36. The body portion 70 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 84. As shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical portion 84 is formed to extend to the return portion 74 and the overhang portion 75 of the funnel member 35 described above.

[0037] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the outer wall portion 85 is formed to be approximately the same length as the cylindrical portion 84 and has a notched portion 87 in which a part is cut out. The connecting member 36 is formed integrally with the outer wall portion 85 and is provided with the connecting member side mounting portion 81 and the base mounting portion 80 described above. The outer wall portion 85 is positioned opposite the wall surface of the opening 41 of the air cleaner 32.

[0038] Thus, the diameter of the lower part of the body portion 70 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the opening 41 of the air cleaner 32 by the amount of the cylindrical portion 84 and the outer wall portion 85 of the connecting member 36.

[0039] In the saddle-type vehicle 10, the shape of the funnel member 35 may be changed to suit the vehicle characteristics. In such cases, in this embodiment, since the funnel 37 is composed of multiple members, including the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36, the shape of the funnel member 35 can be changed by changing the size combination of the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36, without changing the diameter of the opening 41 of the air cleaner 32 or the diameter of the throttle body 31, and without changing the shape of the air cleaner 32. The shape of the funnel member 35 greatly affects the state of the airflow from the air cleaner 32 to the throttle body 31. However, by changing the shape of the funnel 37 in this embodiment, the funnel member 35 can be given desired characteristics.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the annular portion 86, which extends downward from the lower ends of the cylindrical portion 84 and the outer wall portion 85, constitutes the lower end of the connecting member 36. The direction from the funnel member 35 toward the throttle body 31 is defined as the intake axis direction Y, and the direction of airflow is defined as downstream. The downstream end 35A of the funnel member 35 is located further downstream than the downstream end 36A of the connecting member 36. More specifically, the lower end of the annular portion 86 of the connecting member 36 is located further upstream than the lower end of the body portion 70 of the funnel member 35.

[0041] The upstream end 89C of the inner circumference 89 is located below the upper surface 36C of the base mounting portion 80 of the connecting member 36. The downstream end 35A is located downstream of the upstream end 89C. Furthermore, a concave space S1 is provided between the body portion 70 of the funnel member 35 and the annular portion 86 of the connecting member 36.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connecting member 36 has a communication hole 88 formed at the rearmost end between the cylindrical portion 84 and the outer wall portion 85, which communicates with the throttle body 31. The communication hole 88 is formed in the shape of a groove on the outer wall of the annular portion 86. The downstream end of the communication hole 88 of the annular portion 86 is cut out, and a second space S2 is formed at the point where the outlet side of the communication hole 88 and the outlet side between the cylindrical portion 84 and the body portion 70 overlap.

[0043] The air cleaner 32 is installed at an angle so that the rear is lower. Because the air cleaner 32 is installed at an angle, the liquid accumulates at the lower rear end 33U. The liquid accumulated at the lower end of the cleaner base 33 flows from the air cleaner 32 through the communication hole 88, which forms the oil passage A2, towards the throttle body 31. The liquid that accumulates in the air cleaner 32 is, for example, moisture contained in the outside air or fuel that has flowed back from the power unit 12.

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, the oil passage A2, which passes from the lower end 33U of the air cleaner 32 through the communication hole 88 of the connecting member 36, and the communication passage A1, which passes through the gap between the cylindrical portion 84 of the connecting member 36 and the body portion 70 of the funnel member 35, are in communication with the intake path W. The communication passage A1 and the oil passage A2 are formed upstream of the downstream end 35A of the funnel member 35. As a result, the flow of air and liquid coming from the communication passage A1 and the oil passage A2 is less likely to disturb the airflow from the intake path W of the funnel member 35 toward the throttle body 31, which has been rectified after passing through the body portion 70.

[0045] As described above, the saddle-type vehicle 10 of this embodiment is equipped with an air cleaner 32, and the funnel 37 of the air cleaner 32 is inserted into the opening 41 of the air cleaner 32 and is connected to the air cleaner 32 by a connecting member 36 (connector), and a funnel member 35 (funnel body) is connected to the connecting member 36 and is connected to the connecting member 36. With this configuration, since the funnel member 35 is provided via the connecting member 36, the shape of the funnel 37 can be changed without changing the shape of the opening 41 corresponding to the location where the funnel 37 is provided in the air cleaner 32. Therefore, a funnel 37 that suits the vehicle characteristics can be provided without changing the shape of the air cleaner 32.

[0046] Furthermore, the downstream end 35A of the funnel member 35 extends downstream beyond the downstream end 36A of the connecting member 36. This configuration makes it possible to suppress situations where the airflow in the intake path W inside the funnel member 35 is obstructed by the airflow leaking from the gap between the connecting member 36 and the funnel member 35.

[0047] Furthermore, the funnel member 35 is inserted into the inner circumference 89 of the connecting member 36 and connected, and the downstream end 35A of the funnel member 35 has a downstream extension 77 that extends downstream beyond the upstream end 89C of the connecting member 36. With this configuration, the funnel member 35 is inserted into the inner circumference 89, which lengthens the passage of the funnel member 35 and allows the air passing through the passage to be more streamlined.

[0048] Furthermore, the downstream end 35A of the downstream extension 77 extends to the vicinity of the downstream end 36A of the connecting member 36. With this configuration, the funnel member 35 is inserted into the inner circumference 89, which lengthens the passage of the funnel member 35 and allows the air passing through the passage to be more streamlined.

[0049] Furthermore, the joint 90 between the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36 has a labyrinth structure. With this configuration, it becomes difficult for liquids or inhaled air to enter the gap between the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36, and air intake in the intake path W inside the funnel member 35 is made more efficient.

[0050] Furthermore, a connecting passage A1 is provided between the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36, which leads to the intake path W. The connecting passage A1 communicates with a concave space S1 provided between the funnel member 35 and the connecting member 36. With this configuration, the flow of air or liquid exiting the communication passage A1 merges with the intake path W via the space S1 located upstream of the downstream end 35A of the funnel member 35, thereby preventing obstruction of the airflow in the intake path W inside the funnel member 35.

[0051] Furthermore, an oil passage A2 connected to the intake path W is provided between the air cleaner 32 and the connecting member 36. With this configuration, liquids accumulated in the air cleaner 32 can pass through the oil passage A2, and the flow of air or liquid from the oil passage A2 can prevent obstruction of the airflow in the intake path W inside the funnel member 35.

[0052] Furthermore, the air cleaner device includes a funnel 37, a connecting member 36 which is inserted into the opening 41 of the air cleaner 32 and connected to the air cleaner 32, and a funnel member 35 which is inserted into the inner circumference 89 of the connecting member 36 and connected to the connecting member 36. With this configuration, since the funnel 37 is not made of a single component, the shape of the funnel 37 can be changed without changing the shape of the opening 41 in the air cleaner 32 that corresponds to the location where the funnel 37 is installed. Therefore, a funnel 37 that suits the vehicle characteristics can be installed without changing the shape of the air cleaner 32.

[0053] [Other embodiments] The above embodiments represent only one aspect of the present invention and can be modified and applied as needed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0054] [Configurations supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment supports the following configuration.

[0055] (Configuration 1) A vehicle comprising an air cleaner, wherein the funnel of the air cleaner is connected to the air cleaner by a connector inserted into the opening of the air cleaner, and the funnel body connected to the connector. With this configuration, by providing the connecting member separately from the air cleaner and funnel, it is possible to provide a funnel or air cleaner that suits the vehicle characteristics without changing the shape of the air cleaner or funnel, by changing the connecting member.

[0056] (Configuration 2) The vehicle according to Configuration 1, wherein the funnel body is inserted into the inner circumference of the connector and connected, and the downstream end of the funnel body has a downstream extension that extends further downstream than the upstream end of the connector. With this configuration, the funnel body is inserted into the inner circumference, which lengthens the passage of the funnel body and allows the air passing through the passage to be more streamlined.

[0057] (Configuration 3) The vehicle according to Configuration 2, wherein the downstream end of the downstream extension extends to the vicinity of the downstream end of the connector. With this configuration, the funnel body is inserted into the inner circumference, which lengthens the passage of the funnel body and allows the air passing through the passage to be more streamlined.

[0058] (Configuration 4) The vehicle according to Configuration 1, wherein the downstream end of the funnel body extends further downstream than the downstream end of the connector. This configuration prevents airflow in the intake path inside the funnel body from being obstructed by air leaking through the gap between the connecting member and the funnel body.

[0059] (Configuration 5) A vehicle according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, wherein a connecting passage leading to an intake path is provided between the funnel body and the connector, and the connecting passage communicates with a concave space provided between the funnel body and the connector. With this configuration, the flow of air or liquid exiting the communication passage merges with the intake path via a space located upstream of the lower end of the funnel body, thereby preventing obstruction of the airflow in the intake path inside the funnel body.

[0060] (Configuration 6) The vehicle according to Configurations 1 to 5, wherein an oil passage leading to an intake path is provided between the air cleaner and the connector. This configuration allows liquids accumulated in the air cleaner to pass through the oil passage, and prevents the flow of air or liquid from the oil passage from obstructing the airflow in the intake path inside the funnel body.

[0061] (Configuration 7) An air cleaner device comprising a funnel, a connector inserted into the opening of an air cleaner and connected to the air cleaner, and a funnel body connected to the connector and connected to the connector. This configuration produces the same effects and functions as configuration 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10. Saddle-type vehicle (vehicle) 32 Air Cleaner 33 Cleaner base 34 Cover 35 Funnel components (funnel body) 35A downstream end 36 Connecting members (connectors) 36A downstream end 37 Funnel 70 Torso 77 Downstream extension 84 Cylindrical section 85 Exterior wall 86 Ring section 88 Communication hole 89 Inner circumference 90 Joint A1 communication path A2 oil passage S1 space W Intake path Y Intake axis direction

Claims

1. Equipped with an air cleaner (32), The funnel (37) of the aforementioned air cleaner (32) A connector (36) is inserted into the opening (41) of the air cleaner (32) and connected to the air cleaner (32), A vehicle comprising a funnel body (35) connected to the connector (36) and connected to the connector (36).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the funnel body (35) is inserted into and connected to the inner circumference (89) of the connector (36), and the downstream end (35A) of the funnel body (35) has a downstream extension (77) that extends downstream beyond the upstream end (89C) of the connector (36).

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the downstream end (35A) of the downstream extension (77) extends to the vicinity of the downstream end (36A) of the connector (36).

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the downstream end (35A) of the funnel body (35) extends downstream beyond the downstream end (36A) of the connector (36).

5. A connecting passage (A1) leading to the intake path (W) is provided between the funnel body (35) and the connector (36). The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting passage (A1) communicates with a concave space (S1) provided between the funnel body (35) and the connector (36).

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an oil passage (A2) connected to an intake passage (W) is provided between the air cleaner (32) and the connector (36).

7. Funnel (37) A connector (36) is inserted into the opening (41) of the air cleaner (32) and connected to the air cleaner (32), An air cleaner device comprising a funnel body (35) connected to the connector (36) and connected to the connector (36).

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