Air Cleaner Ribs for Uniform Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air cleaners for internal combustion engines, uneven air flow velocity distributions in the outlet pipe due to the housing structure and filter element heterogeneity lead to inaccurate air flow measurements, especially when the air flow rate is high, and existing flow straightening components either hinder airflow or complicate manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design features a clean-side air chamber with ribs extending from the housing corner towards the filter element and outlet pipe, narrowing the distance between ribs towards the outlet pipe, which guides airflow and reduces velocity distribution unevenness, enhancing measurement accuracy without increasing components or manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flow straightening component is provided in the outlet pipe to improve flow velocity distribution uniformity, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the component hinders air flow particularly at low air flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightening ribs are positioned upstream in the clean-side air chamber, performing flow straightening action before air enters the outlet pipe. This preliminary flow conditioning allows the air to reach the outlet pipe with more uniform velocity distribution, improving MAF sensor accuracy without requiring flow straightening components inside the outlet pipe that would hinder flow
2Measurement precision
If a separate flow straightening component is provided to improve flow velocity distribution, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the number of components and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightening ribs are integrated directly into the clean-side housing structure, merging the flow straightening function with the housing. This eliminates the need for separate flow straightening components, reducing part count and simplifying manufacturing while still achieving uniform flow velocity distribution in the outlet pipe
Solution Approach 2:
The clean-side housing serves multiple functions: it contains the clean-side air chamber, provides structural support, and incorporates flow straightening ribs as integral features. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the air cleaner assembly
3Ease of manufacture
If the outlet pipe axis is oriented perpendicular to the filter element to simplify structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow velocity distribution uniformity deteriorates due to angled air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The flow straightening ribs are positioned upstream to perform flow conditioning before air enters the outlet pipe. This preliminary action corrects the flow direction and velocity distribution caused by the angled outlet pipe orientation, ensuring uniform flow reaches the MAF sensor while maintaining the structurally simple perpendicular orientation
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 effectively reduces airflow disturbances and unevenness in the outlet pipe, improving the accuracy of mass air flow sensor measurements across varying airflow rates without affecting low airflow rates and simplifying manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of ribs 41, 42, 43 extending from a corner portion 24 of the housing 2 toward a filter element 4 and an outlet pipe 21
Implementation Method 2
the filter element 4 is a resistor that interrupts a flow of air
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner may include a filter element and a housing defining an inner space. The inner space may be divided by the filter element into a dust-side air chamber on an upstream side and a clean-side air chamber on a downstream side. Air introduced into the housing may be dischargable via an outlet pipe, to which an air flow sensor is attachable, connected to the clean-side air chamber. The outlet pipe may extend in a direction different from a normal to the filter element. A plurality of ribs may be disposed on an inner surface of a clean-side portion of the housing that defines the clean-side air chamber. The plurality of ribs may extend from a corner portion of the housing toward the filter element and the outlet pipe. A distance between adjacent ribs of the plurality of ribs may decrease in a direction toward the outlet pipe.