ATV Air Cleaner Temperature Sensor Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air cleaners in all-terrain vehicles face challenges in accurately measuring engine intake air temperature due to radiant heat from the engine and high temperatures from the exhaust pipe, which affects combustion control and requires additional mounting space and parts.

Innovation Solution

The air cleaner design positions the temperature sensor either in front or rear of the air cleaner case, away from the engine and exhaust pipe, and incorporates a connecting tube for the sensor, reducing heat influence and simplifying mounting with shared holes for other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the temperature sensor is disposed in the air cleaner case adjacent to the engine, then the mounting structure is simplified, but the temperature measurement accuracy deteriorates due to radiant heat from the engine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting structure complexityVSAvoidintake air temperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor is separated from the air cleaner case and disposed in a dedicated sensor mounting portion of the engine, while the air cleaner case maintains its original structure. This segmentation allows the sensor to be positioned away from radiant heat sources while keeping the air cleaner design simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A temperature sensor guide hole is provided in the engine block to guide and position the temperature sensor in an optimal location away from radiant heat. This intermediary structure enables accurate temperature measurement without requiring modification of the air cleaner case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the temperature sensor is disposed away from the engine to avoid radiant heat, then the temperature measurement accuracy improves, but the mounting space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintake air temperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor mounting space

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor mounting portion is integrated into the engine block structure itself, combining the sensor mounting function with the existing engine components. This eliminates the need for separate mounting spaces while achieving accurate temperature measurement away from radiant heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If additional mounting portions are added to the air cleaner for the temperature sensor, then the temperature measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintake air temperature measurement capabilityVSAvoidair cleaner structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensor mounting function is extracted from the air cleaner case and transferred to the engine block. This extraction eliminates the need for additional mounting portions in the air cleaner, maintaining its structural simplicity while enabling accurate temperature measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If the temperature sensor is positioned near the exhaust pipe, then the mounting is simplified, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to high temperature from the exhaust pipe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor mounting easeVSAvoidintake air temperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The engine block is designed with a specific local structure (temperature sensor guide hole) that positions the sensor in an optimal location away from exhaust pipe heat while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity. This local quality enhancement achieves accurate measurement without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design allows for accurate intake air temperature measurement, improving combustion control, reducing the need for additional mounting space, and decreasing the number of parts required, while enhancing productivity and maintaining performance on rough roads.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of air introduced into the engine is disposed in either the front or rear of the air cleaner case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentUS7686873B2Air cleaner in all terrain vehicle

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An air cleaner is provided in an all terrain vehicle in order to improve the control performance for effecting optimal combustion in an engine by accurately measuring the temperature of air introduced into the engine. The air cleaner includes an air cleaner case disposed behind an engine, a throttle valve disposed between the engine and the air cleaner case, and connecting tube for connecting the air cleaner case and the throttle valve with each other. A temperature sensor is disposed in either a front or rear face of the air cleaner case. Optionally, the temperature sensor is disposed in the connecting tube.