Air Cleaner Intake Port Configuration for Dirt Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaners for straddled vehicles, such as motorcycles, tend to soil the filtration element quickly due to the capture of both small and large dirt particles, which shortens the element's lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design features an air cleaner case with a unique intake port configuration, where air is drawn into the dirty side and flows along the element's side walls and the case's inner surfaces, effectively separating larger dirt particles before they reach the filtration element, thus prolonging its lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is directly supplied to the surface of the element from the intake duct, then the entire element can be utilized effectively, but both small and large dirt particles are captured by the element causing it to soil quickly and shorten its lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner performs preliminary separation of large dirt particles from air using the case inner surface before air reaches the element. This preliminary action removes harmful large particles that would otherwise quickly soil the element, allowing the element to primarily filter smaller particles and extend its service life while maintaining effective utilization of its filtering surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The air cleaning process is segmented into two stages: first, large dirt particles are separated by the case inner surface through airflow patterns; second, the element filters smaller particles. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in different particle sizes, preventing the element from being overwhelmed by large debris while still utilizing its full surface area for fine particle filtration
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an intake port is disposed in the first half of the air cleaner case, then air flows along the element side walls and case inner surfaces for effective separation, but the intake port configuration increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner employs asymmetric intake port configuration where the intake port is positioned only in the first half of the air cleaner case, creating asymmetric airflow patterns. This asymmetry causes air to flow along the element side walls and case inner surfaces, generating effective separation of large dirt particles through contact with surfaces, while avoiding the complexity of symmetric dual-side intake port arrangements
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 allows for the effective utilization of a wide range of the filtration element, reduces soiling of the element, and extends its operational lifetime by ensuring that larger dirt particles are separated before reaching the element.
Implementation Method 1
Air introduced from the intake duct tends to flow downward because of the inertia of flow
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner includes an air cleaner case, an element disposed in the air cleaner case, and an intake port disposed in the air cleaner case. With respect to an imaginary plane extending in opposite first and second directions, opposite third and fourth directions, and opposite fifth and sixth directions that are perpendicular to each other, the air cleaner case includes a first half located at a side of the fifth direction and a second half located at a side of the sixth direction, with respect to an imaginary plane in which the first to fourth directions extend. The intake port is formed in the first half of the air cleaner case. The air cleaner case includes a closed wall at a position substantially symmetric to a position of the intake port with respect to the imaginary plane.