Vehicle Air Cleaner Intake Duct Redesign
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaner devices for vehicles with internal combustion engines are bulky due to the placement of intake air ducts on the upper surface, leading to increased height and interference with other components like the fuel tank, which compromises intake performance and compactness.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner device features a compact design with intake ducts forming a left-right pair, oriented upward and inclined, with discharge ports positioned near the ceiling of the dirty side chamber, allowing for a swirling air flow and secure intake capacity while avoiding interference with the fuel tank, and utilizing a divided air cleaner case with a plate-shaped filter element to optimize space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the intake air duct portion is disposed on the upper surface of the air cleaner case, then the intake capacity is secured, but the air cleaner device is enlarged in the upward-downward direction and the cowl height is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the intake air duct from the upper surface (vertical dimension) to the side surface (horizontal dimension) of the air cleaner case. This dimensional transition allows the intake ports to be disposed on the left and right sides while the duct paths extend horizontally through the case, thereby maintaining intake capacity without increasing the vertical height of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the intake duct enter from the top and flow downward as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the configuration by having the intake duct enter from the sides and flow horizontally through the case. This inversion of the duct orientation allows the discharge ports to be positioned on the upper surface near the ceiling, achieving compact vertical dimensions while preserving intake function.
2Length of stationary object
If the air cleaner device is made compact, then the height and width are reduced, but the intake performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves compactness by transitioning the intake duct configuration to horizontal orientation and repositioning discharge ports to the upper surface near the ceiling. This utilizes the horizontal dimension and upper surface area more effectively, allowing the device to maintain a reduced height and width profile while preserving adequate intake capacity through optimized duct path design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the duct path geometry by incorporating bent portions and strategically positioning discharge ports near the ceiling of the dirty side chamber. These parameter changes in duct orientation and port positioning enhance air flow efficiency within the compact structure, ensuring that intake performance is maintained despite the reduced overall dimensions of the device.
3Length of stationary object
If the intake ducts are oriented upwardly with discharge ports near the ceiling, then the overall height is reduced, but the duct paths become more complex with bent portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional duct orientation by having intake ports on the sides and discharge ports on the upper surface near the ceiling, rather than having intake and discharge ports both on the upper surface. This inversion allows the ducts to be oriented upwardly from side mounting points, reducing the horizontal footprint while the necessary bent portions are confined to compact sections within the case.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct paths with bent portions are nested within the dirty side chamber of the air cleaner case, utilizing the available internal space efficiently. The bent portions are contained within the case boundaries rather than extending externally, which minimizes the overall device dimensions while accommodating the necessary duct complexity for optimal air flow.
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 maintains intake performance while reducing the overall height and width of the air cleaner device, ensuring efficient air intake and compactness, and allows for easy assembly and reduced vibration of the intake ducts.
Implementation Method 1
The intake ducts forming the left-right pair have bent portions, and discharge ports of the intake ducts forming the left-right pair are disposed so as to be oriented to a central side of the air cleaner case and offset from each other in a forward-rearward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A compact air cleaner device with a secure intake capacity. An internal combustion engine includes the air cleaner device mounted on a vehicle body frame. The air cleaner device includes an air cleaner case having a filter element therein, and being partitioned into a dirty side chamber and a clean side chamber with a plurality of intake ducts for leading an outside air into the dirty side chamber, the intake ducts being provided so as to form a left-right pair. The intake ducts have intake ports opened outside side portions of the air cleaner case. Paths of the intake ducts leading to discharge ports are housed within the dirty side chamber with bent portions. The discharge ports of the intake ducts forming the left-right pair are disposed so as to be oriented to a central side of the air cleaner case and offset from each other in a forward-rearward direction.