Compact Air Cleaner with Asymmetric Cyclone Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaners for internal combustion engines with cyclone and filter dust collection units are bulky due to the protruding size of the cyclone dust collection unit, increasing the lateral dimension and making them less compact.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaner design features three cylindrical cyclone dust collection units connected in parallel to a cylindrical and annular filter dust collection unit, with the cyclone units arranged along the circumferential direction of the filter unit, minimizing the outer profile by optimizing the housing configuration and component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cyclone dust collection unit is designed with a relatively large size to ensure effective dust collection, then the dust collection efficiency is improved, but the lateral dimension of the air cleaner is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner is divided into multiple functional segments: a filter dust collection unit with a filter element and multiple cyclone dust collection units connected in parallel. This segmentation allows the cyclone units to be arranged compactly around the filter unit, maintaining effective dust collection while reducing the overall lateral dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclone dust collection units are arranged in a nested configuration around the central filter dust collection unit. The cyclone units are positioned to utilize the space around the filter unit efficiently, with their central axial lines arranged along the circumferential direction of the filter unit, creating a compact integrated structure that minimizes lateral dimension.
2Area of stationary object
If the cyclone dust collection unit is made compact to reduce the lateral dimension, then the overall size is minimized, but the dust collection efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cyclone dust collection units are merged with the filter dust collection unit in a parallel configuration. This combining of multiple smaller cyclone units achieves the required dust collection efficiency while maintaining a compact overall structure, as the units work together to process the air flow effectively within a minimized lateral footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclone dust collection units are arranged along the circumferential direction around the filter unit, utilizing the radial dimension efficiently. This dimensional arrangement allows the cyclone units to be positioned optimally without increasing the lateral dimension excessively, as they are distributed around the circumference rather than extending linearly.
3Reliability
If the cyclone dust collection unit protrudes sideways from the filter dust collection unit, then the dust collection function is maintained, but the air cleaner becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaner adopts an asymmetric configuration where the cyclone dust collection units are positioned off-center relative to the filter dust collection unit, arranged along the circumferential direction. This asymmetric arrangement allows the cyclone units to be integrated into the overall structure without symmetric protrusion, creating a more compact and space-efficient shape while maintaining dust collection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclone dust collection units are nested around the filter dust collection unit in a compact integrated arrangement. This nesting configuration eliminates the need for separate protruding structures, as the cyclone units are incorporated into the overall housing structure, resulting in a streamlined compact shape that maintains all dust collection functions.
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 a compact, rectangular configuration of the air cleaner, reducing its size while maintaining effective dust collection efficiency, thereby extending the service life of the filter element and optimizing engine design for space and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone dust collection unit and a filter dust collection unit that are connected in series in such a manner that dust with relatively large particle diameters are removed from the intake air in the cyclone dust collection unit
Implementation Method 2
the intake air expelled from the cyclone dust collection unit is then forwarded to the filter dust collection unit to have dust of relatively small particle diameters removed from the forwarded intake air
Data Source
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AI summary
In an air cleaner (32), three cyclone dust collection units (34) are arranged on one side of a filter dust collection unit (35) in a mutually parallel relationship. The cyclone dust collection units are arranged along a circumferential direction of the filter dust collection unit, and the central cyclone dust collection unit has a smaller diameter than the remaining cyclone dust collection units positioned on either side of the central cyclone dust collection unit so that the dust collection units can be accommodated in a rectangular profile is a highly space efficient manner.