Vehicle Air Box with Reusable Filter and Inspection Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air boxes with flat panel paper filters experience restricted airflow as particulate matter builds up, leading to decreased engine performance and increased fuel consumption, and require complete removal for inspection, resulting in environmental waste from discarded filters.
Innovation Solution
An air box design with a rigid enclosure, transparent inspection region, and leak-resistant air inlets that supports a reusable air filter, allowing improved airflow and engine performance without full removal, featuring a conduit to direct the airstream from aerodynamic elements to the engine's air intake duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat panel paper filter is used in a conventional air box, then the filter can remove particulate matter from air, but air flow becomes restricted as particulate matter builds up in the filter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical structure of the filter from a flat panel to a three-dimensional cylindrical shape with pleated layers. This structural parameter change increases the surface area for filtration while maintaining open air passages, allowing the filter to remove particulate matter effectively without restricting air flow even as it becomes loaded with contaminants
2Reliability
If a conventional air box with enclosed filter is used, then the filter is protected within the enclosure, but the filter and air box must be completely removed for inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The air box is segmented into removable components: the main enclosure and a separate filter access assembly. The filter is positioned in a cylindrical holder that can be independently removed from the top of the enclosure, allowing inspection and replacement without removing the entire air box assembly from the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
A cylindrical filter holder assembly acts as an intermediary between the filter and the main enclosure. This holder can be detached to provide direct access to the filter for inspection, while the main enclosure remains installed and protected on the vehicle
3Reliability
If a paper air filter is used in conventional air boxes, then the filter can prevent abrasive particulate from entering the engine, but the filter must be discarded when clogged, creating landfill waste
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed to be reusable rather than disposable. The three-dimensional pleated structure allows the filter to be cleaned by blowing compressed air through it, reversing the flow to dislodge accumulated particulate matter. This recovery process extends the filter's service life and eliminates the need to discard it in landfills
Solution Approach 2:
The filter can be cleaned by the vehicle operator using compressed air from the vehicle's own air system. The design allows the operator to access and clean the filter independently without requiring specialized service equipment or procedures, making the filter maintenance a self-service operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances engine performance and fuel economy by maintaining airflow and allowing filter inspection without disassembly, reducing waste by using a reusable filter and minimizing landfills.
Implementation Method 1
An air filter designed to remove particulate is generally a device composed of fibrous materials. These fibrous materials may remove solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air.
Implementation Method 2
A substantially transparent inspection region is disposed on a surface of the enclosure so that the air filter may be viewed
Data Source
AI summary
An air box and methods are provided for communicating an airstream through an air filter to an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The air box generally transports air received by way of air inlet ports that mate with aerodynamic elements of the vehicle. The air is received through a conduit to an air intake duct of the engine. The air box an enclosure that is formed in a substantially rigid/solid form. A substantially transparent inspection region is disposed on a surface of the enclosure so that the air filter may be viewed and potentially accessed if desired.