Built-In Air Cleaner Valve for Load-Responsive Intake and Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing air cleaner systems with externally attached performance improvement structures, such as auxiliary intake ducts, variable valves, and drain valves, increase weight, size, manufacturing costs, and complexity, while compromising fuel economy and engine performance due to foreign substance ingress.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaner with a built-in valve that integrates the functions of a duct, hose, and valve, automating opening and closing operations based on engine load and buoyant forces, reducing the need for external components and improving suction pressure and foreign substance separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If externally attached performance improvement structures (auxiliary intake duct, variable valve, drain valve) are used, then engine performance and fuel economy are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the auxiliary intake duct, variable valve, and drain valve into a single integrated built-in valve structure. This combines multiple separate components (duct + valve + hose) into one unified element that performs all functions internally, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining engine performance benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in valve is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an auxiliary intake duct for high-load conditions and a drain valve for water removal. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, reducing weight while achieving the same performance improvements.
2Power
If externally attached performance improvement structures are used, then engine performance is improved, but size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the auxiliary intake duct and drain hose into the built-in valve structure, the patent consolidates multiple external components into a single compact unit integrated within the air cleaner housing, thereby reducing the overall external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in valve is nested within the internal space of the air cleaner housing, with the valve body and moving parts contained within the existing housing volume. This nesting approach allows the performance improvement structures to occupy minimal additional external space.
3Power
If externally attached performance improvement structures are used, then engine performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by merging multiple separate components (auxiliary intake duct, variable valve, drain valve, and hoses) into a single built-in valve assembly. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, inventoried, and assembled, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the performance improvement functions from complex external attachments and incorporates them into a simplified built-in valve structure. This extraction of essential functions into a more integrated design reduces the complexity and cost of manufacturing while maintaining the engine performance benefits.
4Power
If externally attached performance improvement structures are used, then engine performance is improved, but structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the air cleaner structure by merging the auxiliary intake duct, variable valve, and drain valve into a single built-in valve assembly. This integration reduces the number of separate components and connection points, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The built-in valve is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions (auxiliary air intake and water drainage) within a single structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing the overall structural complexity of the air cleaner system.
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 built-in valve system enhances engine output, fuel economy, and filter lifespan by automating airflow and water drainage, reducing manufacturing costs, and simplifying the structure, making it suitable for small vehicles with improved performance and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
automating opening and closing operations of the built-in valve with an engine load caused by an internal factor, such as an engine power performance
Implementation Method 2
a buoyant force caused by an external factor, such as water inflow
Implementation Method 3
convert ambient air flowing to the intake system into intake air from which the foreign substances are strained
Data Source
AI summary
An air cleaner may include a filter case configured to introduce, by a suction force of an internal space, ambient air being discharged through a filter provided in the internal space as intake air from which foreign substances are removed; and a built-in valve built in the internal space of the filter case and configured to form an ambient air introduction path for introducing the ambient air and an additional ambient air introduction path separated from the ambient air introduction path and to open the additional ambient air introduction path so that the ambient air flows into through the additional ambient air introduction path when the suction force is increased.