Dual Air Intake System for Vehicle Engine and CVT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with internal combustion engines and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) face challenges in providing efficient air intake systems due to limited space, particularly in on-road straddle seat vehicles, where both the engine and CVT require air for combustion and cooling, respectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design incorporating a dual air intake system with forwardly-facing inlets and rearwardly-extending conduits on either side of the longitudinal centerplane, with the engine air intake system including a throttle body and air filter, and the CVT air intake system featuring a primary and secondary pulley setup within a housing, ensuring efficient air flow to both components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate air intake systems are provided for both the engine and CVT, then air supply for combustion and cooling is ensured, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the engine air intake system and CVT air intake system into a single integrated assembly. The common air intake assembly includes a shared housing with both engine air inlet and CVT air inlet, allowing both components to draw air from the same structural unit. This reduces the number of separate intake systems while ensuring reliable air supply to both the engine for combustion and the CVT for cooling.
2Productivity
If forwardly-facing inlets with rearwardly-extending conduits are used, then air flow efficiency is improved, but the spatial arrangement becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by extending conduits in the rearward direction from forwardly-facing inlets. The engine air conduit and CVT air conduit extend rearwardly from their respective inlets, allowing efficient air intake from the front while routing air through constrained spaces behind the engine and CVT components. This dimensional approach optimizes air flow paths within limited vehicle space.
3Area of stationary object
If the engine is positioned between the air intake conduits, then space utilization is optimized, but accessibility for maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air intake system into separate controllable elements - the engine air conduit and CVT air conduit can be independently accessed. The housing includes removable panels or access points that allow technicians to reach components without disassembling the entire intake system. This segmentation maintains compact spatial arrangement while improving maintenance accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members, a steering assembly for steering the vehicle, an internal combustion engine, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). An engine air intake system provides air to the engine and includes a first air inlet facing generally forwardly and a first rearwardly-extending conduit portion extending rearwardly from the first air inlet. The first rearwardly-extending conduit portion fluidly communicates with an engine air inlet. A CVT air intake system provides air to the CVT and includes a second air inlet facing generally forwardly and a second rearwardly-extending conduit portion extending rearwardly from the second air inlet. The second rearwardly-extending conduit portion fluidly communicates with a cooling air inlet of the CVT. The engine is disposed at least in part laterally between the first and second rearwardly-extending conduit portions.