Air cleaner box, vehicle equipped with an air cleaner box, and method for connecting the duct of the air cleaner box.

Abstract

This design suppresses variations in application amount by different workers and ensures an airtight connection between the air cleaner case and the duct. [Solution] The air cleaner box comprises an air cleaner case having an exhaust port and a duct connected to the exhaust port. The air cleaner case has a mounting surface portion having the exhaust port and a circumferential surface portion extending from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port. Adhesive is applied to the recess surrounded by the mounting surface portion and circumferential surface portion of the air cleaner case and the duct positioned at the exhaust port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner box, a vehicle equipped with the air cleaner box, and a duct connection method for the air cleaner box.

Background Art

[0002] In vehicles such as motorcycles, an air cleaner box equipped with an air filter is arranged in an intake passage for sucking air into the engine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The air cleaner box is configured to purify the air introduced through the intake port of the air cleaner case by the air filter and discharge the purified air from the exhaust port of the air cleaner case toward the cylinder side of the engine.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an air cleaner box, when connecting a duct separate from the air cleaner case to the exhaust port of the air cleaner case, the duct is arranged on the mounting surface portion of the air cleaner case having the exhaust port, and an operator may apply an adhesive between the air cleaner case and the duct for connection. However, the application amount of the adhesive by the operator is likely to vary, and therefore, the application amount of the adhesive is set to be large in order to ensure airtightness.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to suppress variation in the application amount of an adhesive for connecting an air cleaner case and a duct in an air cleaner box and connect the air cleaner case and the duct airtightly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure provides an air cleaner box comprising an air cleaner case having an exhaust port and a duct connected to the exhaust port, wherein the air cleaner case has a mounting surface portion having the exhaust port and a circumferential surface portion extending inward from the mounting surface portion so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port, and an adhesive is applied to a recess surrounded by the mounting surface portion and the circumferential surface portion of the air cleaner case and the duct positioned at the exhaust port.

[0007] According to this disclosure, the air cleaner case has a circumferential surface portion that extends from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port, and adhesive is applied to the recess surrounded by the mounting surface portion and circumferential surface portion of the air cleaner case and the duct located at the exhaust port. As a result, compared to the case in which adhesive is applied between the mounting surface portion and the duct without a circumferential surface portion being provided on the air cleaner case, applying the adhesive to the recess makes it possible to keep the amount of adhesive applied constant, suppressing variations in the amount applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case and the duct.

[0008] This disclosure also provides a vehicle equipped with the air cleaner box.

[0009] According to this disclosure, in a vehicle equipped with an air cleaner box, the amount of adhesive applied can be kept constant by applying adhesive to the recess, thereby suppressing variations in the amount applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case and the duct.

[0010] This disclosure also provides a method for connecting a duct to an air cleaner box, comprising: an air cleaner case having an exhaust port, the air cleaner case having a mounting surface portion having the exhaust port and a circumferential surface portion extending inward from the mounting surface portion so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port; and a duct connected to the exhaust port; the duct being placed in the exhaust port; and an adhesive being applied to a recess surrounded by the mounting surface portion and circumferential surface portion of the air cleaner case and the duct placed in the exhaust port to connect the air cleaner case and the duct.

[0011] According to this disclosure, an air cleaner case is used which has a circumferential surface portion that extends from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port, a duct is placed in the exhaust port of the air cleaner case, and adhesive is applied to the recess surrounded by the mounting surface portion and circumferential surface portion of the air cleaner case and the duct placed in the exhaust port to connect the air cleaner case and the duct. As a result, compared to the case in which the air cleaner case and the duct are connected by applying adhesive between the mounting surface portion and the duct without a circumferential surface portion on the air cleaner case, the amount of adhesive applied can be made constant by applying it to the recess, suppressing variations in the amount of adhesive applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case and the duct. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of a motorcycle equipped with an air cleaner box according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the air cleaner box. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner box. [Figure 4] This is a top view of the lower case. [Figure 5] This is a bottom view of a portion of the lower case. [Figure 6] This is a magnified cross-sectional view of the connection point between the lower case and the duct. [Figure 7]This is a diagram illustrating the connection method between the lower case and the duct. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a modified air cleaner box. [Figure 9] This diagram shows another modified version of the air cleaner box. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a motorcycle equipped with an air cleaner box according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In this specification, "front," "rear," "left," and "right" refer to the forward, rear, left, and right directions as seen from the perspective of a driver riding and operating a motorcycle.

[0015] The motorcycle 1 shown in Figure 1 is an example of a saddle-type vehicle. The motorcycle 1 comprises a front wheel 2 and a rear wheel 3, and a body frame 4 positioned between the front wheel 2 and the rear wheel 3. The body frame 4 comprises a head pipe 5 extending substantially vertically and a main frame 6 extending rearward from the head pipe 5. The front wheel 2 is rotatably supported by a front fork 7 supported by the head pipe 5. The rear wheel 3 is rotatably supported by a swing arm 8 supported by the main frame 6.

[0016] An engine E, which functions as an internal combustion engine, is positioned between the front wheels 2 and the rear wheels 3. Engine E is, for example, a four-stroke parallel twin-cylinder engine in which two cylinders 9 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle. Power from engine E is transmitted to the rear wheels 3 via a chain 10, which acts as a power transmission mechanism.

[0017] Above the engine E, an air cleaner box 20 is disposed. The air cleaner box 20 constitutes a part of an intake passage for sucking air into the engine E and is connected to the engine E via a throttle body 11. The air cleaner box 20 is configured to purify the air introduced from the outside and discharge the purified air toward the engine E, specifically, toward the throttle body 11.

[0018] Above the air cleaner box 20, a fuel tank 12 for storing fuel such as gasoline is disposed. The fuel stored in the fuel tank 12 is supplied to a fuel injection device 13. The fuel injection device 13 is provided, for example, in the throttle body 11.

[0019] The throttle body 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a throttle valve 11a for adjusting the intake air amount sucked into the engine E. In the throttle body 11, for example, the fuel injection device 13 is disposed on the engine side of the throttle valve 11a. Fuel from the fuel injection device 13 is supplied to the cylinder 9 of the engine E together with air.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air cleaner box. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the air cleaner box, showing a cross-section of the air cleaner box along the line Y3-Y3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a top view of the lower case, and in FIG. 4, a part of the duct is also shown. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a part of the lower case. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connection portion between the lower case and the duct, showing an enlargement of a part of FIG. 3.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the air cleaner box 20 includes an air filter 21 as a filter member for purifying air and an air cleaner case 22 for housing the air filter 21 therein. The air cleaner case 22 is formed in a box shape and has an intake port 23 through which air is sucked and an exhaust port 24 through which air is discharged.

[0022] The air cleaner case 22 is formed from a rigid material such as synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the air cleaner case 22 has an upper case 31 positioned on the upper side and a lower case 32 positioned on the lower side. The upper case 31 and the lower case 32 can each be formed integrally. The upper case 31 is formed to bulge upward, and the lower case 32 is formed to bulge downward. The air cleaner case 22 is formed into a box shape by the upper case 31 being airtightly fixed to the lower case 32 using fastening members B.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the air filter 21 is detachably mounted on the upper front of the lower case 32. The internal space S of the air cleaner case 22 is partitioned by the air filter 21 into a dirty space S1 where air before purification by the air filter exists and a clean space S2 where air after purification by the air filter exists. The intake port 23 is formed in the front 32a of the lower case 32 which defines the dirty space S1, and the exhaust port 24 is formed in the rear 32b of the lower case 32 which defines the clean space S2. Alternatively, the intake port 23 may be formed in the rear of the lower case 32 and the exhaust port 24 may be formed in the front of the lower case 32, so that the rear of the lower case 32 defines the dirty space S1 and the front of the lower case 32 defines the clean space S2.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the air cleaner box 20 filters out foreign matter contained in the air introduced inside through the intake port 23 using an air filter 21, and the purified air is discharged to the outside, the throttle body 11, through the exhaust port 24. In the air cleaner box 20, the intake port 23 and the exhaust port 24 are each formed by openings that open in a roughly circular shape in the lower case 32.

[0025] The intake port 23 is formed to protrude cylindrically from the outside of the air cleaner case 22. A roughly cylindrical exhaust duct 40 is airtightly connected to the exhaust port 24. The lower case 32 is provided with two intake ports 23 and two exhaust ports 24. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, duct 40a is connected to the exhaust port 24 on the left side of the vehicle body, and duct 40b is connected to the exhaust port 24 on the right side of the vehicle body. As shown in Figure 3, ducts 40a and 40b have different lengths, but they may be made to have the same length. There may be one or more intake ports, exhaust ports, and ducts.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the air cleaner case 22, specifically the lower case 32, has a mounting surface 34 to which the duct 40 is attached. The mounting surface 34 is formed in a plate shape and has an exhaust port 24. The duct 40 connected to the exhaust port 24 extends from the inside of the air cleaner case 22 to the outside of the air cleaner case 22.

[0027] The duct 40 is made of a flexible material such as synthetic rubber. The duct 40 can be formed integrally. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the duct 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 that is positioned at the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22 and a locking portion 42 that is locked to the air cleaner case 22.

[0028] The cylindrical portion 41 of the duct 40 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the exhaust port 24 so as to fit into the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22. The cylindrical portion 41 has a fitting portion 43 that fits into the exhaust port 24, an inner portion 44 that is located inside the air cleaner case 22, and an outer portion 45 that is located outside the air cleaner case 22.

[0029] The inner portion 44 of the duct 40 extends from the fitting portion 43 into the inside of the air cleaner case 22 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface portion 34, and then curves toward the air filter. The outer portion 45 extends outwards from the outside of the air cleaner case 22 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface portion 34. The tip of the inner portion 44 may be formed to expand in diameter in a funnel shape.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, the locking portion 42 of the duct 40 is composed of an inner locking portion 42 that extends radially outward from the inner portion 44 and then downward along the inner portion 44. The inner locking portion 42 is provided over the entire outer circumference of the inner portion 44 and forms an annular groove 47 between it and the inner portion 44.

[0031] The duct 40 also has an outer locking portion 48 that protrudes radially outward from the outer portion 45. The outer locking portion 48 is formed to sandwich the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22 together with the inner locking portion 42 when the duct 40 is locked to the air cleaner case 22 by the inner locking portion 42. The outer locking portion 48 may be provided on all or part of the outer circumference of the outer portion 45. The inner locking portion 42 and the outer locking portion 48 are formed such that the contact area between the inner locking portion 42 and the air cleaner case 22 is larger than the contact area between the outer locking portion 48 and the air cleaner case 22.

[0032] The lower case 32 has a locking portion 25 that extends from the mounting surface 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case and locks into a locking portion 42 on the periphery of the exhaust port 24. The locking portion 25 extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to and intersects with the mounting surface 34. The locking portion 25 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape over the entire periphery of the exhaust port 24. The locking portion 25 is positioned in the annular groove 47 of the duct 40 and locks into the inner locking portion 42 of the duct 40. When the inner locking portion 42 is locked by the locking portion 25, the outer locking portion 48 contacts the periphery of the exhaust port 24 on the mounting surface 34 outside the air cleaner case 22 and locks into the mounting surface 34.

[0033] When the inner locking portion 42 is locked by the locked portion 25, the tip of the locked portion 25 contacts the inner locking portion 42 and the tip of the inner locking portion 42 contacts the mounting surface portion 34. When the inner locking portion 42 is locked by the locked portion 25, the tip of the locked portion 25 may not contact the inner locking portion 42 but the tip of the inner locking portion 42 may contact the mounting surface portion 34, or the tip of the locked portion 25 may contact the inner locking portion 42 without the tip of the inner locking portion 42 contacting the mounting surface portion 34.

[0034] In the air cleaner box 20, the air cleaner case 22, specifically the lower case 32, has a circumferential surface portion 26 that extends from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24. The circumferential surface portion 26 is preferably formed in a substantially circular shape. When the inner locking portion 42 is locked to the locking portion 25 and the duct 40 is positioned at the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22, a bottomed annular inner recess 27 is formed, surrounded by the inner surface of the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22, the circumferential surface portion 26, and the duct 40 positioned at the exhaust port 24.

[0035] In the air cleaner box 20, the circumferential surface portion 26 of the air cleaner case 22 is an annular inner rib 35 extending from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case. The inner rib 35 is positioned radially outward from the inner locking portion 42 and has a predetermined width and height, extending from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case 22. The inner recess 27 is formed by the mounting surface portion 34 and inner rib 35 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40. The size of the inner rib 35 is appropriately set depending on the adhesive to be placed in the recess 27, for example, a width of 1 mm, a height of 4 mm, and a distance of 5 mm from the duct 40.

[0036] The lower case 32 also has an outer rib 36 that extends from the mounting surface 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24. When the outer locking portion 48 is locked to the mounting surface 34 and the duct 40 is positioned in the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22, a bottomed annular outer recess 28 is formed, surrounded by the outer surface of the mounting surface 34 of the air cleaner case 22, the outer rib 36, and the duct 40 positioned in the exhaust port 24.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the lower case 32 has a case-side positioning portion 37 on the outer surface of the mounting surface portion 34 for positioning the duct 40 on the air cleaner case 22. The duct 40 has a duct-side positioning portion 46 that extends outward from the cylindrical portion 41, specifically extending outward from the outer locking portion 48 for positioning the duct 40 on the air cleaner case 22. The case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are each located within the outer recess 28.

[0038] At the connection point where the duct 40b is connected to the air cleaner case 22, the case-side positioning portion 37 is a projection 37a that protrudes cylindrically from the mounting surface 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case 22 at the periphery of the exhaust port 24. The duct-side positioning portion 46 is a groove portion 46b formed by two extensions 46a that extend radially outward in substantially parallel directions from the outer portion 45 of the duct 40, when the case-side positioning portion 37 is a projection 37a.

[0039] When the case-side positioning portion 37 is a projection 37a and the duct-side positioning portion 46 is a groove 46b, the duct 40 is positioned circumferentially relative to the air cleaner case 22 by the interlocking of the projection 37a and the groove 46b.

[0040] At the connection point where the duct 40a is connected to the air cleaner case 22, the case-side positioning portion 37 is a groove portion 37c formed by two boss portions 37b that protrude cylindrically from the mounting surface portion 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case 22 at the periphery of the exhaust port 24. The duct-side positioning portion 46 is a projection portion 46c that extends radially outward from the outer portion 45 of the duct 40, when the case-side positioning portion 37 is a groove portion 37c.

[0041] When the case-side positioning portion 37 is a groove portion 37c and the duct-side positioning portion 46 is a projection portion 46c, the duct 40 is positioned circumferentially relative to the air cleaner case 22 by the fitting of the groove portion 37c and the projection portion 46c.

[0042] When connecting the duct 40 to the air cleaner case 22, adhesive 50 is applied to the recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface 34 and peripheral surface 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 located at the exhaust port 24. Adhesive 50 is applied to both the inner recess 27 and the outer recess 28. The inner recess 27 and the outer recess 28 function as parts that hold a predetermined amount of adhesive. In the air cleaner box 20, adhesive 50 is also applied to the outer surface 43a of the fitting portion 43 of the duct 40.

[0043] At the connection point between the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40, the amount of adhesive 50 applied can be kept constant by applying it so that it is substantially flush with the inner recess 27 and the outer recess 28, thereby suppressing variations in the amount applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0044] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the method of connecting the lower case and the duct. When an operator connects the duct 40 to the air cleaner case 22 in the air cleaner box 20, as shown in Figure 7, the air cleaner case 22 having an exhaust port 24, specifically the lower case 32, and the duct 40 connected to the exhaust port 24 are prepared. The lower case 32 has a mounting surface portion 34 having an exhaust port 24, and a circumferential surface portion 26 that extends from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24.

[0045] Then, the duct 40 is reduced in diameter and moved relative to the lower case 32, and fitted into the exhaust port 24 of the lower case 32. In this embodiment, after adhesive 50 is applied to the outer surface 43a of the fitting portion 43 of the duct 40, the cylindrical portion 41 is placed in the exhaust port 24 of the lower case 32 and the locking portion 42 is locked into the locked portion 25 of the lower case 32. When the locking portion 42 of the duct 40 is locked into the locked portion 25 of the lower case 32, the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 position the duct 40 relative to the lower case 32.

[0046] Next, as shown in Figure 6, adhesive 50 is applied to the recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface 34 and peripheral surface 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 located in the exhaust port 24, thereby connecting the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0047] The duct 40 is positioned in the lower case 32 with a cylindrical portion 41 placed in the exhaust port 24 of the lower case 32 and a locking portion 42 locked to a locking portion 25 of the lower case 32, and with an inner recess 27 opening upwards, adhesive 50 is applied to the inside of the inner recess 27 so that it is substantially flush with the surface.

[0048] Once the adhesive 50 applied to the inner recess 27 hardens, the duct 40 is positioned in the lower case 32 with the outer recess 28 opening upwards, and the adhesive 50 is applied to the outer recess 28 so that it is nearly flush with the surface. Once the adhesive 50 applied to the outer recess 28 hardens, the duct 40 is airtightly connected to the lower case 32. The lower case 32 is then joined with the upper case 31 to form the air cleaner case 22.

[0049] In the motorcycle 1 according to this embodiment, blow-by gas from the crankcase 14 of the engine E is introduced into the clean space S2 of the air cleaner case 22 via the breather pipe 15 (see Figure 2) and mixed with air purified by the air filter 21. In the air cleaner box 20, the duct 40 is airtightly connected to the air cleaner case 22, so that blow-by gas does not leak out of the air cleaner box 20.

[0050] In the air cleaner box 20, at the connection point where the duct 40b is connected to the air cleaner case 22, the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are a projection 37a and a groove 46b, respectively. At the connection point where the duct 40a is connected to the air cleaner case 22, the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are a groove 37c and a projection 46c, respectively. This prevents the incorrect placement of the two ducts when connecting two different ducts to the air cleaner case 22.

[0051] In the air cleaner box 20, the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are located within the outer recess 28, but they may also be located within the inner recess 27. In this case, the duct-side positioning portion 46 may be formed to extend radially outward from the locking portion 42. The case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are preferably located within the outer recess 28 because the locking portion 25 may be provided inside the air cleaner case 22. Positioning portions 37 and 46 located within the outer recess 28 offer greater flexibility in the configuration of the positioning portions compared to when they are located within the inner recess 27.

[0052] The locking portion 25 extends from the mounting surface 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case in a direction intersecting the mounting surface 34. However, the locking portion 25 may also be formed to extend from the mounting surface 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case in a direction intersecting the mounting surface 34. In this case, the locking portion of the duct 40 is composed of the outer locking portion of the duct 40. In this case, the outer locking portion of the duct 40 is formed in the shape of the inner locking portion 42 symmetrically shifted with respect to the mounting surface 34, instead of the outer locking portion 48, and is formed to lock with the locking portion extending from the mounting surface 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case.

[0053] Preferably, the locking portion of the duct 40 and the locked portion of the air cleaner case 22 are located on the outside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are located within the inner recess 27, and on the inside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are located within the outer recess 28.

[0054] In the air cleaner box 20, positioning parts of other shapes may be used as the case-side positioning part 37 and the duct-side positioning part 46, or the case-side positioning part and the duct-side positioning part may not be provided at all. Alternatively, instead of providing a locking part on the air cleaner case 22, a locking part extending radially outward may be provided on the inner portion 44 of the duct 40, so as to contact the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22 and position it at the exhaust port 24.

[0055] Figure 8 shows a modified example of the air cleaner box. As shown in Figure 8, the cylindrical portion 41 of the duct 40 may have only an inner portion 44, without a fitting portion or an outer portion. If the cylindrical portion 41 does not have a fitting portion or an outer portion, for example, the throttle body 11 is connected to communicate with the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner box 20.

[0056] The cylindrical portion 41 of the duct 40 may have no outer portion, and only an inner portion 44 and a fitting portion 43. Even if the cylindrical portion 41 does not have an outer portion, for example, the throttle body 11 is connected to communicate with the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner box 20.

[0057] In the air cleaner box 20, an external locking portion may not be provided on the outer portion 45 of the duct 40. Also, in the air cleaner box 20, adhesive may not be applied to the outer surface 43a of the fitting portion 43 of the duct 40, and adhesive may not be applied to the inside of the external recess 28.

[0058] Figure 9 shows another modified example of the air cleaner box. As shown in Figure 9, the mounting surface 34 having the exhaust port 24 is formed on the bottom surface 38a of a stepped portion 38 that is recessed in a substantially cylindrical shape from the inside to the outside of the air cleaner box 20 in the lower case 32, and the circumferential surface 26 of the air cleaner case 22 may be formed by the side surface 38b of the stepped portion 38. In this case as well, adhesive 50 is applied to the recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface 34 and circumferential surface 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 located at the exhaust port 24.

[0059] The lower case 32 of the air cleaner box 20 has an intake port 23 and an exhaust port 24, but the upper case 31 may have an intake port and the lower case 32 may have an exhaust port. In this embodiment, the air cleaner box 20 of a motorcycle 1 is described, but it is similarly applicable to air cleaner boxes of other vehicles such as saddle-type vehicles.

[0060] As described above, the air cleaner box 20 according to this embodiment includes an air cleaner case 22 having an exhaust port 24 and a duct 40 connected to the exhaust port 24. The air cleaner case 22 has a mounting surface portion 34 having the exhaust port 24 and a circumferential surface portion 26 extending from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24. Adhesive 50 is applied to a recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface portion 34 and the circumferential surface portion 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 positioned at the exhaust port 24.

[0061] The air cleaner case 22 has a circumferential surface portion 26 that extends from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24, and adhesive is applied to the recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface portion 34 and the circumferential surface portion 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 located at the exhaust port 24. As a result, compared to the case where adhesive is applied between the mounting surface portion and the duct without a circumferential surface portion on the air cleaner case 22, applying the adhesive 50 to the recess 27 makes it possible to keep the amount of adhesive applied constant, suppressing variations in the amount applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0062] The duct 40 may have a cylindrical portion 41 positioned at the exhaust port 24 and a locking portion 42 that engages with the air cleaner case 22. This allows the adhesive 50 to be applied into the recess 27 with the cylindrical portion 41 positioned at the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22 and locked to the air cleaner case by the locking portion 42, enabling easy connection of the duct 40 to the air cleaner case 22.

[0063] The air cleaner case 22 may have a locking portion 25 that extends from the mounting surface 34 in a direction intersecting the mounting surface 34 and is locked to a locking portion 42 on the periphery of the exhaust port 24. This allows the cylindrical portion 41 to be positioned in the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22, and the locking portion 42 of the duct 40 to be locked to the locking portion 25 of the air cleaner case 22, while the adhesive 50 is applied to the recess 27, enabling the duct 40 to be connected to the air cleaner case 22 with good workability.

[0064] The air cleaner case 22 has a mounting surface portion 34 and an inner rib 35 which is a circumferential surface portion 26 extending inward from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case. Adhesive 50 can be applied to the inner recess 27 surrounded by the inner surface of the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22, the inner rib 35, and the duct 40. This makes it possible to keep the amount of adhesive 50 applied to the inner recess 27 surrounded by the inner surface of the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22, the inner rib 35, and the duct 40 constant, and to connect the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 airtightly.

[0065] The duct 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 that is inserted into the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22. The air cleaner case 22 has a mounting surface portion 34 and an outer rib 36 that extends from the mounting surface portion 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24. Adhesive 50 can be applied to the outer surface of the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22 and to the outer recess 28 surrounded by the outer rib 36 and the duct 40. This makes it possible to keep the amount of adhesive 50 applied to the outer recess 28 surrounded by the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22 and the outer rib 36 and the duct 40 constant, and to connect the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 airtightly.

[0066] The air cleaner case 22 has a mounting surface portion 34, an inner rib 35 which is a circumferential surface portion 26 extending inward from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case, and an outer rib 36 which extends outward from the mounting surface portion 34 to the outside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24. Adhesive may be applied to the inner surface of the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22 and to the inner recess 27 surrounded by the inner rib 35 and the duct 40, and adhesive 50 may be applied to the outer surface of the mounting surface portion 34 of the air cleaner case 22 and to the outer recess 28 surrounded by the outer rib 36 and the duct 40. The air cleaner case 22 has a case-side positioning portion 37 on the mounting surface portion 34, and the duct 40 has a duct-side positioning portion 46 extending outward from a cylindrical portion 41. The case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 may be positioned in the inner recess 27 or the outer recess 28. This allows the duct 40 to be positioned relative to the air cleaner case 22 by the case-side positioning part 37 and the duct-side positioning part 46, which are located in the inner recess 27 or outer recess 28, and also suppresses variations in the amount of coating applied by the worker, enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0067] The duct 40 has a cylindrical portion 41 positioned at the exhaust port 24 and a locking portion 42 that locks onto the air cleaner case 22. The air cleaner case 22 may have a locking portion 25 that extends from the mounting surface portion 34 to the peripheral edge of the exhaust port 24 in a direction intersecting the mounting surface portion 34 and locks onto the locking portion 42. The locking portion 42 and the locking portion 25 may be positioned on the outside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are positioned within the inner recess 27, and on the inside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion 37 and the duct-side positioning portion 46 are positioned within the outer recess 28. As a result, the duct 40 can be positioned relative to the air cleaner case 22 by the locking portion 42 of the duct 40 located on different sides of the air cleaner case 22, the locked portion 25 of the air cleaner case 22, the duct-side positioning portion 46, and the case-side positioning portion 37, and the adhesive 50 can be applied to the inner recess 27 and outer recess 28 while the duct 40 is locked to the air cleaner case 22.

[0068] Furthermore, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an air cleaner box 20. This allows the amount of adhesive 50 to be applied to the recess 27 in the vehicle 1 equipped with the air cleaner box 20 to be kept constant, thereby suppressing variations in the amount applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0069] Furthermore, the method for connecting the duct of the air cleaner box 20 according to this embodiment is to prepare an air cleaner case 22 having an exhaust port 24, the air cleaner case 22 having a mounting surface portion 34 having the exhaust port 24 and a circumferential surface portion 26 extending from the mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port 24, and a duct 40 to be connected to the exhaust port 24, place the duct 40 in the exhaust port 24, and apply adhesive 50 to a recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface portion 34 and circumferential surface portion 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 placed in the exhaust port 24 to connect the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0070] An air cleaner case 22 is used which has a circumferential surface portion 26 that extends from a mounting surface portion 34 to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the exhaust port 24. The duct 40 is placed in the exhaust port 24 of the air cleaner case 22, and adhesive is applied to a recess 27 surrounded by the mounting surface portion 34 and circumferential surface portion 26 of the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40 placed in the exhaust port 24 to connect the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40. As a result, compared to the case where the air cleaner case 22 does not have a circumferential surface portion 26 and the adhesive 50 is applied between the mounting surface portion 34 and the duct 40 to connect them, applying the adhesive 50 in the recess 27 allows the amount of adhesive to be applied to be constant, suppressing variations in the amount applied by the worker and enabling an airtight connection between the air cleaner case 22 and the duct 40.

[0071] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and various improvements and design modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0072] [Note 1] It is an air cleaner box, An air cleaner case having an exhaust port, A duct connected to the exhaust port, It has, The air cleaner case has a mounting surface portion having the exhaust port, and a circumferential surface portion extending from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port. An adhesive is applied to the recess surrounded by the mounting surface and circumferential surface of the air cleaner case and the duct located at the exhaust port. Air cleaner box. [Note 2] The duct has a cylindrical portion positioned at the exhaust port and a locking portion that engages with the air cleaner case. The air cleaner box described in Appendix 1. [Note 3] The air cleaner case has a locking portion on the periphery of the exhaust port that extends from the mounting surface in a direction intersecting the mounting surface and is locked to the locking portion. The air cleaner box described in Appendix 2. [Note 4] The air cleaner case has the mounting surface portion and the inner rib which is the circumferential surface portion extending from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case, Adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the inner recess surrounded by the inner rib and the duct. The air cleaner box described in any of the notes 1 through 3. [Note 5] The duct has a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the exhaust port of the air cleaner case, The air cleaner case has a mounting surface and an outer rib that extends from the mounting surface to the outside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the outer recess surrounded by the outer rib and the duct. The air cleaner box described in any of the appendices 1 through 4. [Note 6] The duct has a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the exhaust port of the air cleaner case, The air cleaner case has a mounting surface, an inner rib which is the circumferential surface extending inward from the mounting surface, and an outer rib which extends outward from the mounting surface so as to surround the exhaust port. Adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the inner recess surrounded by the inner rib and the duct. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the outer recess surrounded by the outer rib and the duct. The air cleaner case has a case-side positioning portion on the mounting surface for positioning the duct on the air cleaner case, The duct has a duct-side positioning portion that extends outward from the cylindrical portion and positions the duct in the air cleaner case, The case-side positioning portion and the duct-side positioning portion are located within the inner recess or the outer recess, The air cleaner box described in any of the notes 1 through 3. [Note 7] The duct has a cylindrical portion positioned at the exhaust port and a locking portion that engages with the air cleaner case. The air cleaner case has a locking portion on the peripheral edge of the exhaust port that extends from the mounting surface in a direction intersecting the mounting surface and is locked to the locking portion, The locking portion and the locked portion are located on the outside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion and the duct-side positioning portion are located within the inner recess, and on the inside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion and the duct-side positioning portion are located within the outer recess. The air cleaner box described in Appendix 6. [Note 8] A vehicle equipped with an air cleaner box as described in any of the appendices 1 through 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1. Motorcycle 20 Air Cleaner Box 22 Air Cleaner Case 24 Exhaust vents 25 Locked part 26 Peripheral part 27 Inner recess 28 Outer recess 34 Mounting surface 35 Inner rib 36 Outer rib 37. Case-side positioning section 40 ducts 41 Cylindrical part 42 Locking part 46 Duct-side positioning section 50 Adhesives

Claims

1. It is an air cleaner box, An air cleaner case having an exhaust port, A duct connected to the exhaust port, It has, The air cleaner case has a mounting surface portion having the exhaust port, and a circumferential surface portion extending from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port. An adhesive is applied to the recess surrounded by the mounting surface and circumferential surface of the air cleaner case and the duct located at the exhaust port. Air cleaner box.

2. The duct has a cylindrical portion positioned at the exhaust port and a locking portion that engages with the air cleaner case. The air cleaner box according to claim 1.

3. The air cleaner case has a locking portion on the periphery of the exhaust port that extends from the mounting surface in a direction intersecting the mounting surface and is locked to the locking portion. The air cleaner box according to claim 2.

4. The air cleaner case has the mounting surface portion and the inner rib which is the circumferential surface portion extending from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case, Adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the inner recess surrounded by the inner rib and the duct. The air cleaner box according to claim 1.

5. The duct has a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the exhaust port of the air cleaner case, The air cleaner case has a mounting surface and an outer rib that extends from the mounting surface to the outside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the outer recess surrounded by the outer rib and the duct. The air cleaner box according to claim 1.

6. The duct has a cylindrical portion that is inserted into the exhaust port of the air cleaner case, The air cleaner case has a mounting surface, an inner rib which is the circumferential surface extending inward from the mounting surface, and an outer rib which extends outward from the mounting surface so as to surround the exhaust port. Adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the inner recess surrounded by the inner rib and the duct. Adhesive is applied to the outer surface of the mounting surface of the air cleaner case and to the outer recess surrounded by the outer rib and the duct. The air cleaner case has a case-side positioning portion on the mounting surface for positioning the duct on the air cleaner case, The duct has a duct-side positioning portion that extends outward from the cylindrical portion and positions the duct in the air cleaner case, The case-side positioning portion and the duct-side positioning portion are located within the inner recess or the outer recess, The air cleaner box according to claim 1.

7. The duct has a cylindrical portion positioned at the exhaust port and a locking portion that engages with the air cleaner case. The air cleaner case has a locking portion on the peripheral edge of the exhaust port that extends from the mounting surface in a direction intersecting the mounting surface and is locked to the locking portion. The locking portion and the locked portion are located on the outside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion and the duct-side positioning portion are located within the inner recess, and on the inside of the air cleaner case when the case-side positioning portion and the duct-side positioning portion are located within the outer recess. The air cleaner box according to claim 6.

8. A vehicle equipped with the air cleaner box described in claim 1.

9. A method for connecting the duct to the air cleaner box, An air cleaner case having an exhaust port, comprising an air cleaner case having a mounting surface portion having the exhaust port and a circumferential surface portion extending from the mounting surface portion to the inside of the air cleaner case so as to surround the periphery of the exhaust port, and a duct connected to the exhaust port, The duct is placed in the exhaust port, The air cleaner case and the duct are connected by applying adhesive to the recess surrounded by the mounting surface and circumferential surface of the air cleaner case and the duct located at the exhaust port. How to connect the duct to the air cleaner box.

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