Air Cleaner Case and Cap Channel Integration for Blow-by Gas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal combustion engine air cleaners face challenges with the rigidity of hoses used in the blow-by gas circulation channel, which can make attachment difficult due to obstacles, leading to complex hose designs and increased structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design integrates a communicating relationship between the case and cap channels, allowing for the shortening or elimination of the hose and simplifying the surrounding configuration by forming case and cap channels that align during assembly, facilitating easier attachment and reducing structural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rubber hose is used to connect the case and cap for blow-by gas circulation, then the hose can be flexible enough to navigate around obstacles, but the hose becomes rigid and difficult to attach when obstacles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hose function into the air cleaner case and cap by forming integrated channels (case channel and cap channel) that directly connect the components. This eliminates the separate hose component, allowing blow-by gas to circulate through the integrated channels without requiring attachment of a flexible hose, thus resolving the contradiction between hose flexibility and attachment ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a specialized hose design is created to avoid obstacles, then the hose can navigate around obstacles effectively, but the structure surrounding the air cleaner becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hose's obstacle avoidance function into the air cleaner's own structure by designing the case and cap with integrated channels that naturally route around obstacles. This eliminates the need for specialized hose designs and reduces the complexity of surrounding structures, as the air cleaner itself provides the circulation path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves spatial routing challenges by utilizing the three-dimensional space within and around the air cleaner case and cap. The channels are designed to navigate around obstacles by utilizing available space in different dimensions, eliminating the need for complex hose routing outside the air cleaner structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a long hose is used to connect the case and cap, then the hose can reach around obstacles, but the hose length increases and attachment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the hose entirely by merging the connection function into the air cleaner structure. The case channel and cap channel are integrated directly into the case and cap respectively, creating a short, direct connection path for blow-by gas circulation that eliminates the need for a long, flexible hose.
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
This configuration simplifies the assembly and attachment process, minimizes the need for specialized hoses, and enhances the separation of oil mist within the blow-by gas, improving filtration efficiency and reducing potential disturbances to air flow.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element (80) provided between an opening (22) in the case (20) and an opening (52) in the cap (50) facing the case opening (22)
Implementation Method 2
When the blow-by gas runs through an oil mist separator formed inside a cylinder head cover, some of the oil mist contained in the blow-by gas becomes separated and is removed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An internal combustion engine air cleaner (10) includes a case (20) with an inlet duct (26), a cap (50) with an outlet (56), and a filter element (80) provided between an opening (22) in the case (20) and an opening (52) in the cap (50) facing the case opening (22). In the case (20), there is formed a case channel (40), which constitutes part of a circulating channel serving to circulate blow-by gas of the internal combustion engine to the intake air channel. The cap channel (70) forming the part of the circulating channel further downstream than the case channel (40) is formed in the cap (50). The case channel (40) and the cap channel (70) are configured so that they are communicating when the case (20) and the cap (50) are assembled.