Vehicle Intake Duct with Dual Paths for Rain Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intake duct structures in vehicles, such as motorcycles, face issues with rainwater entry and inefficient boost pressure utilization due to the design of the intake path and valve mechanism, particularly during low-speed operations.
Innovation Solution
An intake duct structure that penetrates through the vehicle body frame near the head pipe, featuring a valve that selects between a main intake path and a sub-intake path, with the sub-intake path oriented rearwardly to minimize rainwater entry and utilize wind boost effectively during high-speed operations, and a diaphragm-driven mechanism for simplified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the intake duct opens at the front end portion of the front cowl to allow running wind to enter, then the boost pressure is improved, but rainwater enters easily into the intake path
Solution Approach 1:
The intake path is divided into two separate paths: a main intake path (opening forward at the front cowl) for high-speed operation and a sub-intake path (opening downward near the head pipe) for low-speed operation. This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate path based on operating conditions, preventing rainwater entry during low-speed operation while maintaining boost pressure during high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve mechanism is introduced that dynamically switches between the main intake path and sub-intake path based on engine operating conditions (engine speed). The valve is driven by an actuator that responds to throttle position or engine speed signals, opening the main path during high-speed operation for maximum boost and closing it during low-speed operation to prevent rainwater entry.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a valve is added to select between main and sub intake paths, then rainwater entry is suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism utilizes pneumatic pressure from the engine's intake manifold to automatically control the valve position. During high-speed operation, the intake vacuum pressure automatically opens the valve to the main intake path. During low-speed operation, the reduced vacuum pressure allows the valve to close the main path and open the sub-path. This eliminates the need for complex electronic actuators or motors, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the rainwater protection function.
Data Source
AI summary
An intake duct structure having an intake path extending forwardly from a cleaner box, penetrating through an area near a head pipe of a vehicle body frame, and opening at a front end portion of a front cowl. During low speed operation of the engine, an intake valve closes a main intake path MR from a front end intake port and opens a sub-intake path SR from a lower portion intake port. On the other hand, during high speed operation of the engine, the intake valve opens the main intake path MR and closes the sub-intake path SR. The lower portion intake port opens forward of a head pipe inside a front cowl and obliquely downwardly toward the rear. With this arrangement, entry of rainwater into the intake path can be minimized during low speed operation of the engine.