Side-by-Side Air Intake Shielded by Cargo Carrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Side-by-side vehicles face the challenge of foreign matter ingress, such as mud and sand, into the air-intake passage while traveling off-road, which can damage the engine.

Innovation Solution

The air-intake unit is positioned with the air inlet facing downward and protected by the cargo carrier's surface, preventing foreign matter entry through the air inlet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the air inlet is disposed at the outer side surface of the vehicle body to introduce air into the air-intake passage, then the air intake function is improved, but foreign matters such as mud, water, or sand can enter the air-intake passage through the air inlet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair intake functionVSAvoidforeign matter ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo carrier serves as an intermediary protective element positioned between the air inlet and the external environment. The carrier's bottom surface acts as a shield that blocks foreign matters from reaching the air inlet while allowing the air intake function to operate normally through the protected inlet opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a two-dimensional problem (air inlet on vehicle body surface) to a three-dimensional protective structure by utilizing the cargo carrier's vertical positioning and extended surface area. The carrier creates a protective zone above and around the air inlet, adding spatial dimension to the protection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the air inlet is protected by positioning it under the cargo carrier, then foreign matter ingress is prevented, but the air intake passage may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter preventionVSAvoidair intake passage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo carrier provides partial protection by shielding the air inlet from direct exposure to foreign matters. The protection is sufficient to block mud, water, and sand while maintaining adequate air flow through the inlet, achieving the right balance between protection and air intake efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective effect is localized to the specific region where the air inlet is positioned under the cargo carrier. The bottom surface of the carrier provides targeted protection exactly where needed, while the rest of the vehicle body and air intake system maintain their original design characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10947936B2Side-by-side vehicle having air-intake unit facing cargo carrier

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A side-by-side vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame including a cabin frame part surrounding a riding space in which seats for a driver and a passenger are provided; an engine which is mounted on the vehicle body frame and generates driving power for allowing the side-by-side vehicle to travel; an air-intake unit including in an inside thereof, an air-intake passage through which intake-air flows to the engine, and an air inlet through which the intake-air is introduced into the air-intake passage; and a cargo carrier having a loading space with a depressed shape in a state in which the cargo carrier is supported by the vehicle body frame, and the air-intake unit is disposed so that the air inlet is directed downward and faces a surface of the cargo carrier.