Vehicle Air Cleaner Layout for Waterproof Electronics and Uniform Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle air cleaners face challenges in maintaining a consistent air flow rate for effective cleaning, are often bulky due to waterproofing requirements, and struggle to balance compactness with electronic component protection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle air cleaner design featuring a non-positive displacement air blower and adjustable flow rate chamber, with a waterproofing mechanism that separates electronic components from moisture exposure, ensuring consistent air flow and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire vehicle air cleaner is made waterproof, then electronic components are protected from moisture, but the size of the vehicle air cleaner and internal space required are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle air cleaner is divided into a waterproof region (housing electronic components) and a non-waterproof region (air blowing mechanism). The waterproofing member creates a partition wall that separates these regions, allowing only the necessary portion to be exposed to moisture while protecting sensitive electronics. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing targeted protection rather than complete waterproofing.
Solution Approach 2:
The air blowing mechanism is extracted from the waterproofed space and placed in a non-waterproof region. This allows the electronic components to be protected from moisture while the air blowing mechanism remains accessible and functional. The extraction principle enables the system to achieve waterproofing for critical components without requiring the entire device to be waterproofed.
2Device complexity
If a single air blower is used to send air to multiple nozzles, then device complexity is reduced, but air flow rate becomes non-uniform across nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
A flow rate adjustment chamber is introduced between the single air blower and multiple nozzles. This chamber dynamically adjusts and distributes air flow to ensure uniform flow rates at each nozzle outlet. The dynamic adjustment mechanism compensates for variations in air distribution while maintaining system simplicity with a single blower unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate adjustment chamber acts as an intermediary between the air blower and nozzles. It receives air from the single blower and mediates the distribution to multiple nozzles, ensuring uniform flow rates. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by enabling precise flow control without requiring multiple blowers.
3Productivity
If compressed air is used to remove water droplets from the lens, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the air blower may be exposed to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a waterproof region housing the air blower and a non-waterproof region where the nozzle is positioned near the lens. The waterproofing member creates this spatial separation, allowing the air blower to generate compressed air for effective cleaning while remaining protected from moisture on the lens surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproofing member and housing structure act as intermediaries that transmit the air flow generated by the protected air blower to the nozzle. This allows the air blower to operate in a dry, protected environment while still delivering compressed air for effective lens cleaning through the waterproof barrier.
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
The solution ensures consistent air flow for effective cleaning, maintains electronic components' dryness, and achieves a compact design without increasing the air cleaner's size or internal space.
Implementation Method 1
a non-positive displacement air blower that continuously sends air to the ejection port
Implementation Method 2
the vehicle air cleaner is to be attached to a vehicle appearance component via a waterproofing member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle air cleaner (310) is configured to be attached to a vehicle appearance component having an opening (401a) via a waterproof member and comprises a waterproof member, an air blowing mechanism (353) configured to send out air to be ejected to an object to be cleaned, and a motor (351) configured to drive the air blowing mechanism (353). The motor (351) is disposed in an area that is waterproofed by the waterproof member and the vehicle appearance component, and the air blowing mechanism (353) is disposed in an area that is not waterproofed by the waterproof member and the vehicle appearance component.