Vehicle Air Cleaner Assembly with Tunable Sound Diffuser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaner systems for vehicles face challenges in tuning intake sound frequency, are cost and weight inefficient due to complex structures, and require multiple molds for varying specifications, leading to increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaner assembly with a supporting member that includes lower and upper supports with adjustable through-holes in reinforcing ribs, allowing for tuning of intake sound without additional sound generators and simplifying mold designs by allowing interchangeable components for different specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sound generator is installed in the intake pipe to tune intake sound, then the intake sound can be tuned, but the structure becomes complex and the tuning frequency band is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate sound generator component from the intake system and extracts the sound tuning function directly into the air cleaner housing structure. The housing itself becomes the sound tuning element through strategically placed holes and passages, eliminating the need for additional sound generation devices while maintaining effective intake sound tuning across a broader frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the air cleaner housing structure with the sound tuning function into a single integrated component. The housing simultaneously performs air filtration containment and acoustic tuning through its designed passages and openings, merging two previously separate functions (air cleaning and sound tuning) into one unified structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If an electronic sound generator with driver is installed to tune intake sound, then the intake sound can be tuned, but cost and weight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sound tuning function from electronic driver systems and implements it through passive acoustic structures within the air cleaner housing. By removing the driver component entirely and using geometric features (holes, passages, and chamber designs) to achieve sound tuning, the system eliminates the weight associated with electronic actuators while maintaining effective intake sound control.
3Ease of operation
If separate molds are provided for each vehicle type and specification to change air cleaner shape for radiation sound, then the radiation sound can be optimized, but the number of molds increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the air cleaner housing with universal geometric features (adjustable holes, standardized passages, and modular chambers) that can be configured to achieve different radiation sound characteristics. This universal design allows a single base mold to produce housings that can be adapted for various vehicle types and specifications through configuration changes rather than requiring entirely separate molds for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes radiation sound by changing geometric parameters of the housing structure (hole sizes, passage dimensions, chamber volumes) rather than changing the fundamental mold design. These parameter adjustments allow optimization for different vehicle types and sound requirements while using the same basic mold, significantly reducing the number of molds needed and lowering production costs.
4Ease of operation
If the shape of the rib inside the air cleaner is changed to increase radiation sound, then the radiation sound increases, but a new mold is needed for each shape change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes radiation sound characteristics by adjusting parameters of existing rib structures (height, thickness, spacing, hole patterns) rather than creating entirely new rib geometries requiring new molds. This parameter-based optimization allows fine-tuning of acoustic performance using the same mold, eliminating the need for costly remolding while achieving desired radiation sound levels.
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
The solution enhances air cleaner stiffness, tunes intake sound effectively, and reduces production costs by allowing for various specifications without complex structures or separate sound generators, while maintaining air flow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the supporting member, which supports an outside surface of the diffuser on the air cleaner body and the air cleaner cover and allows air to pass in a longitudinal direction of the diffuser
Implementation Method 2
The sound generator 121 is provided with a membrane 121b, which is compressed and expanded in a longitudinal direction of the tube, while traversing the tube in a housing 121a, and amplifies the sporty sound by applying vibration to the membrane using the engine pulsation pressure
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner assembly includes an air cleaner body into which air flows from outside, an air cleaner cover which is fastened to the air cleaner body and from which the filtered air is exhausted, and an air filter installed between the air cleaner body and the air cleaner cover to filter foreign material, and which is installed at an intake pipe introducing air into an engine from outside, where a diffuser guiding the exhaust of the filtered air is installed at the air cleaner cover; and the supporting member, which supports an outside surface of the diffuser on the air cleaner body and the air cleaner cover and allows air to pass in a longitudinal direction of the diffuser, is installed at the air cleaner body and the air cleaner cover, respectively, thereby supporting the diffuser and tuning the intake sound by the air flowing therein.