Integrated Air Nozzle and Conductor for Engine Intake Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor-driven tools, such as chain saws and hedge trimmers, face challenges with air filter maintenance due to dusty environments, as traditional air filtration systems are costly, prone to clogging, and can leak air, leading to ineffective cleaning of intake air.

Innovation Solution

The air nozzle and air conductor are manufactured as a single piece, ensuring an airtight seal and easy assembly onto the crankcase, with a protrusion on the crankcase guiding air flow to filter out particles effectively without the need for screws, and using injection molding for cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional air filters are used for cleaning intake air, then particle filtration is achieved, but the air filter clogs quickly and requires frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair filter performanceVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a centrifugal cleaning system (fan wheel) that removes large particles from intake air before the air reaches the air filter. This pre-cleaning action prevents the filter from clogging quickly, thereby maintaining filter performance over longer periods and reducing maintenance frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If separate air nozzle and air conductor components are used, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air nozzle and air conductor into a single integrated component manufactured as one piece. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts, simplifies assembly procedures, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the functional performance of both components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If air nozzle and air conductor are assembled separately, then ease of replacement is improved, but airtightness may be compromised due to potential gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairtight sealVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By manufacturing the air nozzle and air conductor as a single integrated piece, the patent eliminates potential gaps and sealing issues that arise from assembling separate components. The unified structure ensures inherent airtightness without requiring additional sealing elements or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If fan wheel centrifugal cleaning is implemented, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle filtration efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fan wheel into the existing air intake system of the motor-driven tool, where it serves dual functions: generating airflow for cooling and simultaneously acting as a centrifugal separator for particle removal. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding a separate dedicated cleaning system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution reduces maintenance needs for air filters by effectively cleaning intake air, minimizing air leakage, and streamlining the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining a high level of particle filtration efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

particles are thrown against the periphery of the fan housing due to the centrigual force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2084389B1Arrangement related to a motor-driven tool
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP2084389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2084389B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2084389B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention deals with an arrangement for cleaning of intake air for an air-cooled internal combustion engine of a motor-driven tool, such as a chain saw. The arrangement comprises: an air conductor (10) surrounding a fan wheel (40) arranged to propel inlet air around an axis of the fan wheel, an inner wall (11) of the air conductor being arranged for guiding air propelled by the fan wheel; and an air nozzle (20) for cleaning of inlet air, arranged on the inner wall (11) of the air conductor (10) radially close to said fan wheel, the air nozzle (20) serving as a passage way for providing cleaned inlet air from the fan wheel to the engine of the motor-driven tool, wherein the air nozzle (20) and the air conductor (10) are manufactured in one piece. By manufacturing the air nozzle (20) and the air conductor (10) in one piece, a reliable cleaning of intake air is achieved, at the same time as the manufacturing and assembling process will be cost- effective and reliable.