Air Cleaner Box Internal Duct Sideways Elongated Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
In straddle-type vehicles, the air cleaner box is typically arranged to straddle the vehicle center line to maintain compact transverse dimensions, but this limits the volume of the storage unit due to constraints on the air cleaner box's dimensions, particularly in the up and down direction, where the duct's position influences the box's height and manufacturing considerations complicate shaping the upper surface.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner box is designed with an internal duct having a sideways elongated shape, reducing its vertical dimension while increasing its transverse dimension, allowing the upper edge to be lowered and enhancing rigidity, and the duct shape gradually changes from elongated to circular to minimize airflow disruption and facilitate manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the air cleaner box is arranged so as to straddle the vehicle center line, then the dimension of the vehicle in its transverse direction is kept compact, but the volume of the storage unit becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The internal duct is designed with a sideways elongated shape where the dimension in the transverse direction is greater than the dimension in the vertical direction. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the air cleaner box to maintain a compact transverse profile while reducing its vertical height, thereby creating additional space for the storage unit without increasing the vehicle's overall width
Solution Approach 2:
The duct shape is changed from a conventional form to a sideways elongated configuration, altering the spatial distribution of the air cleaner box components. This parameter change enables the upper edge of the air cleaner box to be lowered, increasing the vertical space available for storage while maintaining adequate airflow passage dimensions
2Volume of stationary object
If the internal duct has a sideways elongated shape with shorter vertical dimension, then the upper edge of the air cleaner box can be lowered to increase storage volume, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The duct cross-sectional shape is designed to gradually transition from a sideways elongated form near the air cleaner box to a more conventional shape towards the engine. This gradual parameter change allows the upper edge of the air cleaner box to be lowered for increased storage volume while avoiding abrupt geometric changes that would complicate manufacturing processes
3Ease of manufacture
If the duct shape is abruptly changed, then manufacturing is simplified, but airflow disruption increases and resistance rises
Solution Approach 1:
The duct shape is designed with a gradual transition rather than an abrupt change, creating a dynamic geometry that smoothly adapts from the sideways elongated configuration to the conventional shape. This dynamic design minimizes airflow disruption and reduces resistance while still facilitating manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The duct incorporates curved transition sections that smoothly connect the sideways elongated portion to the conventional shape portion. These curved geometries eliminate sharp edges and abrupt transitions, reducing turbulence and airflow resistance while maintaining manufacturability
Data Source
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AI summary
In a vehicle with a swing-type engine, the air cleaner box (31) includes a first air cleaner box portion (31a) and a second air cleaner box portion (31 b) that are separate left and right box portions. The first air cleaner box portion (31a) and the second air cleaner box portion (31 b) are joined together. A duct (30) includes an internal duct (33) that is disposed within the air cleaner box (31). In a plan view, the air cleaner box (31) is arranged so as to overlap the vehicle center line (C1), which extends in its front and back direction. As seen in cross sections orthogonal to the axial line of the duct (30), at least a portion of the internal duct (33) has a shape, such as a sideways elongated shape, with its dimension in the up and down direction being shorter than its dimension in the left and right direction.