AIR-CLEANER FOR TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES
FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[OOOI] The present invention relates to air cleaners, and, more particularly, to
configuration of air-cleaner for two-wheeled vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, etc., suck air
from atmosphere during operation of the engine, two-wheeled vehicles are
typically equipped with air-cleaners primarily intended to remove undesirable
matter from the air being sucked from the atmosphere. In conventional
construction, oftentimes, air-cleaners are disposed beneath a seat structure and
within a space confined by a seat rail, a down tube, and a rear frame member of a
two-wheeled vehicle. A typical air-cleaner is mounted onto a main frame body of
the two-wheeled vehicle using mounting points. Further, a cover member is
mounted on the main frame body to conceal the air-cleaner so that outer
aesthetics of the vehicle are maintained to meet the satisfaction level.
[0003] A conventional mounting scheme of an air-cleaner is shown in Figures
09, 10 and 11, where an air-cleaner (1 17) primarily includes an air-cleaner case
(70), an air-cleaner cover (71) and a filter element disposed within the air-cleaner
case (70). The air-cleaner case (70) includes a hose pipe connected to a suction
side of a vehicle engine and an intake duct open to the atmosphere. In this
conventional scheme, the air-cleaner (1 17) is disposed beneath a seat structure
and within a space confined by a seat rail (02), a down tube (04), and a rear frame
member (05) and mounted onto a main frame body of a two-wheeled vehicle
using (50), (51) as mounting points. Further, a cover member (1 18) is mounted on
the main frame body to conceal the air-cleaner (117), the main frame body and
other connection adjacent to the air-cleaner (1 17) using mounting point (54) and
locating points (52) and (53) so that outer aesthetics of the vehicle is maintained.
[0004] Further, at the time of assembly, the air-cleaner (1 17) and the cover
member (118) are mounted onto the main frame body of the vehicle separately
using different mounting points leading to an increased man-hour during assembly
work. In addition, since different mounting points (50), (51) are used for mounting
the air-cleaner (1 17) and the cover member (1 18), material and process expenses
incurred are more.
[0005] Many a times, a larger capacity of the air-cleaner is desired to improve
efficiency and performance of the air-cleaner. However, if vertical dimension of the
air-cleaner is increased, it may require change in frame design that may lead to
increase in overall height of the vehicle whereas, increase in longitudinal
dimension may lead to increase in wheel base of the vehicle. In addition, increase
in dimension in width direction of the air-cleaner will demand changes in the size I
shape of the cover member that in turn will affect the aesthetics of the cover
member which may not be acceptable.
[0006] Also, in today's era of trendy vehicles, it is always preferred to design a
main frame body which is more compact, forcing designers to design an aircleaner
which has lesser vertical and longitudinal dimensions and yet maintaining
either similar, sometimes even higher capacity.
[0007] US Patent 4796719 titled "Motorcycle with Favorable Air-cleaner
Layout" discloses a motorcycle with an air-cleaner unit accommodated in a space
defined by a rear surface of the engine and an upper surface of a transmission
system. The upper part of the air-cleaner unit protrudes into a concave bottom
surface of a rear part of a fuel tank, and an outlet port of the air-cleaner unit is
connected to an intake port of the engine by way of a passage. The internal
capacity of the air-cleaner case can be increased without affecting positions of
set, wheel base, or width part of a motorcycle body. However such design is
product specific and may not be readily adaptable to a variety of vehicles.
[0008] Japanese Patent Application 1 1-291 327 titled "Air-cleaner for Vehicle"
discloses an air-cleaner for a two-wheeled vehicle. The air-cleaner is formed such
that an air-cleaner case situated in the vicinity of a muffler is molded together with
a muffler protector to cover and protect the muffler. However, this arrangement
only benefits in terms of common processes for molding the two components
together and not in term of material savings and capacity of the air-cleaner.
SUMMARY
[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This
Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed
subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[OOIO] In one embodiment, an air-cleaner to be mounted on a main frame body
of a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The air-cleaner includes an air-cleaner
housing member, a cover member and a filter element. The air-cleaner housing
member includes a housing wall structure extending substantially perpendicular to
a surface of the air-cleaner housing member.The cover member includes a cover
wall structure extending substantially perpendicular to a surface of the cover
member. The filter element is adapted to be disposed between the housing wall
structure and the cover wall structure.
[001 I ] The filter element is disposed partially in the housing wall structure of
the air-cleaner housing member and partially in the cover wall structure of the
cover member. The housing wall structure includes at least one slot for supporting
the filter element between the housing wall structure and the cover wall structure.
The cover wall structure includes at least one slot for supporting the filter element
between the housing wall structure and the cover wall structure. The surface of
the air-cleaner housing member includes at least one slot for supporting the filter
element between the housing wall structure and the cover wall structure. The
surface of the cover member includes at least one slot for supporting the filter
element between the housing wall structure and the cover wall structure.
[0012] The at least one slot on the surface of the housing wall structure and
the surface of the cover wall structure, is configured by two ribs which are spaced
apart and are parallel to each other. One end of the filter element is slidably
engaged with the at least one slot formed by ribs of the air-cleaner housing
member and other end of the filter element is slidably engaged with the at least
one slot formed by ribs of the cover member.
[0013] In an embodiment, the housing wall structure includes a front wall, a top
wall, a top back wall inclined backwardly and downwardly from the top wall, a
bottom back wall inclined downwardly and frontwardly from the top back wall, and
a bottom wall connecting the front wall and the bottom back wall. The cover wall
structure of the cover member includes a cover front wall, a cover top wall, a
cover top back wall inclined backwardly and downwardly from the cover top wall, a
cover bottom back wall inclined downwardly and towards front from the cover top
back wall, and a cover bottom wall, wherein the cover bottom wall connects the
cover front wall and the cover bottom back wall. In an embodiment, a slot is
formed on the cover top wall of the cover member and a slot is formed on the top
wall of the air-cleaner housing member, and these slots fall in-line with each other
when the cover wall structure of the cover member and the housing wall structure
of the air-cleaner housing member are engaged together.
[0014] In an embodiment, a slot is formed on the cover bottom wall of the
cover member and a slot is formed on the bottom wall of the air-cleaner housing
member, and these slots fall in-line with each other when the cover wall structure
of the cover member and the housing wall structure of the air-cleaner housing
member are engaged together. In an embodiment, a portion of the cover wall
structure of the cover member is same as that of an engaging portion of the
housing wall structure of the air-cleaner housing member so as to engage the
cover wall structure and the housing wall structure.
[0015] The air-cleaner includes a clean side and a dirty side that are partly
enclosed by the cover member and the air-cleaner housing member. In an
embodiment, the air-cleaner housing member is disposed within a space confined
by a seat rail, a down tube and a rear frame member of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0016] Other aspects and exemplary embodiments are provided in the
drawings and the detailed description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention itself, together with further features and attended
advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more
embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals
represent like elements and in which:
[0018] Figure 01 illustrates a schematic side view of a two-wheeled vehicle
employing the air-cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 02A illustrates a schematic top view of the two-wheeled vehicle,
where some parts are removed, employing the air-cleaner according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 02B illustrates a schematic side view of the portion of the twowheeled
vehicle from the right side employing the air-cleaner according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 03 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the air-cleaner
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 04 illustrates an air-cleaner housing member according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 05 illustrates another view of the air-cleaner housing member
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 06 illustrates a rib structure of the air-cleaner housing member
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 07 illustrates a cover member according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] Figure 08 illustrates an assembled view of the air-cleaner according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 09 illustrates a mounting scheme of the air-cleaner onto the
frame body as per prior art;
[0028] Figure 10 illustrates a mounting scheme of the cover member onto the
frame body as per prior art;
[0029] Figure 11 illustrates a schematic top view of the two-wheeled vehicle of
prior art employing the conventional air-cleaner and conventional cover member
mounted onto the main frame body.
[0030] The drawings referred to in this description are not to be understood as
being drawn to scale except if specifically noted, and such drawings are only
exemplary in nature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS AND THE
PREFFERED EMBODIMENT
[0031] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of
example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be
understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular
forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the invention.
[0032] The terms "comprisesn, "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, apparatus or
method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those
components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly
listed or inherent to such setup or apparatus or method. In other words, one or
more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises.. . an does not,
without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional
elements in the system or apparatus.
[0033] In accordance with the present invention the drawbacks as stated
hereinabove have been overcome by providing an air-cleaner having an increased
capacity without deteriorating the aesthetic looks of the two-wheeled vehicle.
[0034] It is noted that terms such as "two-wheeled vehicle" and "vehiclen are
interchangeably used throughout the description. The term "two-wheeled vehicle"
includes vehicles, such as motorcycles, scooters, bicycles and the like.
[0035] For the better understanding of this invention, reference would now be
made to the embodiment illustrated in greater depth in the accompanying figures
and description below, further, in the following figures, the same reference
numerals are used to identify the same components in various views.
[0036] The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "rightn used therein
represents the directions as seen from a vehicle driver sitting astride and these
directions are referred by arrows Fr, Rr, U, Lr, L, R in the drawing figures.
[0037] Figure 01 illustrates a schematic view of a two-wheeled vehicle (100)
(hereinafter referred to as 'vehicle') employing the present invention, and Figure
02A and Figure 02B illustrate a schematic top view (other parts of the vehicle are
removed) and side view of middle portion of the vehicle (loo), respectively,
employing an air-cleaner, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The vehicle (100) employs an air-cleaner (16) according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The vehicle (100) includes, inter-alia, a main frame body (OI), a
seat rail (02), a fuel tank (03), a front fork (07), a handle (08), a front wheel (09), a
rear wheel (1 O), a seat (1 I), a swing arm (1 2), a rear cushion (1 3), an engine (1 4),
a side stand (15) and the air-cleaner (16). It may be noted that the vehicle (100) is
shown to have include the above stated parts, however, those skilled in the art
would appreciate that the vehicle (100) includes other parts which may not be
relevant for explaining the present invention and hence are not shown and
described. The air-cleaner (16) is explained in further detail with reference to
Figures 03 to 08.
[0038] Figure 03 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the air-cleaner
(16) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air-cleaner (16)
includes an air-cleaner housing member (17), a cover member (18) to cover the
air-cleaner housing member (1 7) and a filter element (1 9). The filter element (1 9)
is disposed partially inside the air-cleaner housing member (17) and partially
inside the cover member (18). An embodiment of the air-cleaner housing member
(17) is described in reference to Figures 04, 05 and 06.
[0039] Referring to the Figures 04, 05 and 06, as shown, the air-cleaner
housing member (17) is a box-shaped case body with an opening towards left
side of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, it can be made towards right side of
the vehicle (loo), if required. Further, the air-cleaner housing member (17) has a
surface such as a bottom face (20) that closes the air-cleaner housing member
(17) from the right side of the vehicle (100) and a housing wall structure (21)
substantially perpendicular to the surface (for example, the bottom face (20)). As
shown in Figure 04, the housing wall structure (21) includes a. front wall (219, a
top wall (21t), a top back wall (21tb), a bottom back wall (21bb) and a bottom wall
(21 b). The top back wall (21 tb) is inclined backwardly and downwardly from the
top wall (21t) and the bottom back wall (21 bb) is inclined downwardly and towards
front from the top back wall (21tb). The bottom wall (21 b) connects the front wall
(219 and the bottom back wall (21 bb).
[0040] As best seen from Figure 04, a chamber (22) is formed with the front
wall (219 from the inside of the air-cleaner (16), and the chamber (22) is intended
to act as a resonator. An intake duct (23) is attached to the top back wall (21tb)
which communicates between a dirty side (46) (shown in Figure 08) of the aircleaner
(16) and the atmosphere. Further, a hose pipe (25) is attached to the front
wall (219 of the air-cleaner housing member (17) which communicates with the
chamber (22) or a clean side (45) (shown in Figure 08) of the air-cleaner (16) and
an engine suction side (for example, a carburettor).
[0041] In an embodiment, the front wall (219 includes a tube member (28). The
tube member (28) communicates with a crank case (not shown in the figures) and
serves its conventional purpose. The bottom back wall (21 bb) includes a conduit
(29) for discharging oil and water in the air-cleaner (16). In one form, the conduit
(29) may be small conduit in configuration. In an embodiment, the bottom face
(20) includes another tube (30) for communication between the clean side (45) of
the air-cleaner (16) and an air suction valve (not shown in the figures) serving its
conventional purpose.
[0042] Referring particularly to Figure 06, the inner side of the air-cleaner
housing member (17) includes two ribs (32) and (33). The two ribs (32) and (33)
are spaced apart and run substantially parallel to each other. These two ribs (32)
and (33) are formed on the bottom face (20), the top wall (21t) and the bottom wall
(21b) to form a slot like structure (34) that locate and support the filter element
(19). In an embodiment, the slot like structure (34) may be configured on the
bottom face (20). In an embodiment, the slot like structure (34) may be configured
on the bottom face (20) and at least a portion of the housing wall structure (21).
The slot like structure (34) can be of similar or different configuration from what is
shown in Figure 06.
[0043] Further, the air-cleaner housing member (17) includes a plurality of
protrusions (31) (shown in Figure 05) on the bottom face (20). The plurality of
protrusions (31) lies outside the air-cleaner housing member (17) and extends
outwardly for mounting the air-cleaner (16) onto the main frame body (01) of the
vehicle (100). Furthermore, an outer periphery of the housing wall structure (21) of
the air-cleaner housing member (17) includes a first set of provisions such as
provisions (43).
[0044] In an embodiment, a storage box (35) having an opening from the right
side is formed, from the outside, with the bottom wall (21b) of the air-cleaner
housing member (17). The storage box (35) can be used as a tool box.
[0045] Figure 07 illustrates a cover member (18) according to an embodiment
of the present invention. The cover member (18) operates as a cover for the aircleaner
housing member (17). The cover member (18) is a thin surface body from
outside (from left side of the vehicle (100)) contoured as per the styling
requirements and serves the purpose of an aesthetic member of the vehicle (1 00).
[0046] The cover member (18) includes a cover wall structure (36) similar to
the housing wall structure (21) of the air-cleaner housing member (17). The cover
wall structure (36) extends substantially perpendicular from a surface (for example
a cover bottom face (37) of the cover member (18)) for creating a box like
structure. The cover wall structure (36) extends from inside of the cover member
(18) towards right side of the vehicle (100) as shown in the Figure 07. It should be
noted that if the air-cleaner housing member (17) is having an opening towards
right side of the vehicle (100) and the cover member (18) is used to cover the aircleaner
housing member (17) from right side, then the cover wall structure (36)
extends from inside of the cover member (18) towards left side of the vehicle
(1 00).
[0047] The cover wall structure (36) includes a cover front wall (369, a cover
top wall (36t), a cover top back wall (36tb), a cover bottom back wall (36bb) and a
cover bottom wall (36b). The cover top back wall (36tb) is inclined backwardly and
downwardly from the cover top wall (36t) and the cover bottom back wall (36bb) is
inclined downwardly and towards front from the cover top back wall (36tb).
Further, the cover bottom wall (36b) connects the cover front wall (369 and the
cover bottom back wall (36bb).
[0048] The cover member (18) includes two cover ribs (39) and (40) that are
spaced apart and run parallel to each other. The cover ribs (39) and (40) form a
slot like structure such as slot (41) onto the cover top wall (36t), the cover bottom
face (37) and the cover bottom wall (36b) to locate and support the filter element
(19). In an embodiment, the slot like structure (41) may be configured on the cover
bottom face (37). In an embodiment, the slot like structure (41) may be configured
on the cover bottom face (37) and at least a portion of the cover wall structure
(36). The slot like structure (41) may be of similar or different configuration from
that shown in Figure 07. In addition, an outer periphery of the cover wall structure
(36) includes a second set of provisions such as provisions (42). The provisions
(42) are adapted to be engaged with corresponding provisions (43) provided on
the outer periphery of the housing wall structure (21) of the air-cleaner housing
member (17). The portion of the cover wall structure (36) of the cover member
(18) is required to be same as that of the engaging portion of the housing wall
structure (21) of the air-cleaner housing member (17) so that they can be engaged
with each other.
[0049] The cover wall structure (36) of the cover member (18) and the housing
wall structure (21) of the air-cleaner housing member (17) are adapted to be
matingly engaged together at the location (38) (as shown in Figure 08) by
inserting fasteners such as screws through the provisions (43) of the air-cleaner
housing member (17) and the provisions (42) of the cover member (18).
[0050] When the cover member (18) and the air-cleaner housing member (17)
are engaged together, the slot (41) formed on the cover top wall (36t) of the cover
member (1 8) and a slot (34) formed on the top wall (21t) of the air-cleaner housing
member (17) fall in-line with each other. Similarly, the slot (41) formed on the
cover bottom wall (36b) of the cover member (18) and the slot (34) formed on the
bottom wall (21b) of the air-cleaner housing member (17) fall in-line with each
other.
[0051] In an embodiment, at the time of assembly, the filter element (19) is
located into the air-cleaner housing member (17) by sliding onto the slot (34)
formed by the ribs (32) and (33) and the cover member (18) is disposed on the
air-cleaner housing member (17) by sliding the filter element (19) onto the slot
(41). The cover member (18) and the air-cleaner housing member (17) are then
secured together by inserting fastening members such as screws through the
provisions (42) on the cover member (18) and the provisions (43) on the aircleaner
housing member (17), thereby forming an air-tight seal by disposing an oring
there between. The air-cleaner (16) so assembled is then mounted on the
vehicle (100) using fastening members such as bolts and the like through the
mounting points (151) (as shown in Figure 02B) on the main frame body (01) and
the protrusions (31) of the air-cleaner housing member (1 7).
[0052] Thus, the cover member (18) (acting as aesthetic member as well as
functional member) and the air-cleaner housing member (1 7) (acting as functional
member) can be mounted on the main frame body (01) of the vehicle (100) in one
step and with common mounting points, thus saving in man-hour efforts.
[0053] Referring to Figure 08, an assembled view of the air-cleaner (16)
according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The air-cleaner
(16) with the filter element (19) configure two areas such as the clean side (45)
and the dirty side (46). The clean side (45) and the dirty side (46) are partly
enclosed by the cover member (1 8) and the air-cleaner housing member (1 7). It
should be noted that the clean side (45) may be defined from top side by the top
wall (21t) and the cover top wall (36t), from rear side by the filter element (19),
from front side by the front wall (219 and the cover front wall (369, from right side
by part of the bottom face (20) and from left side by part of the cover bottom face
(37) or the cover member (18). Similarly, the dirty side (46) may be defined from
front side by the filter element (19), from bottom side by the bottom wall (21 b) and
the cover bottom wall (36b), from rear side by the top back wall (21tb), the cover
top back wall (36tb), the bottom back wall (21 bb) and the cover bottom back wall
(36bb), from right side by part of the bottom face (20) and from left side by part of
the cover bottom face (37) or the cover member (18).
[0054] Due to the suction created during the engine operation, air is sucked
from the atmosphere through the intake duct (23) into the dirty side (46) of the aircleaner
(16). The air passes to the clean side (45) of the air-cleaner (16) through
the filter element (1 9) so that particulate matter (undesirable matter sucked in the
air sucked from the atmosphere) is separated from the air. This clean air from the
clean side (45) of the air-cleaner (16) is supplied to the engine suction side or
carburettor through the hose pipe (25).
[0055] Thus, the air-cleaner (16) acts as an aesthetic element when looked
from the left side of the vehicle (100) and works as a functional element too. This
air-cleaner (16) of the vehicle (100) has an increased capacity which removes the
particulate matter from the air stream being sucked from the atmosphere during
the operation of the engine (14).
[0056] An extra enclosure generated by the cover wall structure (36) increases
the capacity of the air-cleaner (16) without increasing the vertical or longitudinal
dimension. Also, since outer contour of the cover member (18) is maintained as
per the aesthetic demands, the look of the vehicle (1 00) is not deteriorated.
[0057] As the capacity of the air-cleaner (16) can be increased in the width
direction without impairing aesthetics of the vehicle (loo), a scope for decreasing
the vertical and 1 or longitudinal dimensions of the air-cleaner (16) is created
which may provide flexibility in designing the main frame body (01) of the vehicle
(1 00).
[0058] In an embodiment, the air-cleaner housing member (17) and the cover
member (18) can be made of material that has a property of hardening
permanently. Example of such material can include, but may not be limited to,
synthetic resins and plastics. In an embodiment, the hose pipe (25) and the intake
duct (23) can be made of rubber material and the like.
[0059] Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the air-cleaner (16)
described above differs from the conventional air-cleaners such as those
described in reference with Figures 09, 10 and 11. The present invention uses a
gap (indicated by reference numeral 99 in Figure 11 showing the conventional
construction) available between the cover member (1 18) and the air-cleaner case
(71) by combining the cover member (1 18) with the air-cleaner case (71), thereby
increasing the air-cleaner capacity of the air-cleaner (16).
[0060] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of
the claims appearing below, advantages of the disclosed exemplary embodiment
is a compact air-cleaner in terms of longitudinal and vertical dimensions.
Moreover, the present invention can reduce longitudinal and vertical dimensions
of the air-cleaner without sacrificing on its capacity. Further, the present invention
increases capacity of the air-cleaner without impairing longitudinal and vertical
dimensions and aesthetics of the cover member. Furthermore, the present
invention increases flexibility in design of main frame body. Furthermore, the
present invention saves material by combining the air-cleaner with the cover
member. Furthermore, the present invention reduces expenses incurred towards
material and manufacturing processes by combining the air-cleaner with the cover
member. Furthermore, the present invention reduces the mounting points on the
main frame body for mounting the air-cleaner and the cover member.
Furthermore, the present invention reduces the steps of mounting the air-cleaner
and cover member onto the main frame body.
[0061] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular
features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be
made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without
departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the
nature of the invention or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly
understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as
illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. An air-cleaner to be mounted on a main frame body of a two-wheeled
vehicle, the air-cleaner comprising:
an air-cleaner housing member comprising a housing wall structure
extending substantially perpendicular to a surface of the air-cleaner housing
member;
a cover member comprising a cover wall structure extending substantially
perpendicular to a surface of the cover member; and
a filter element adapted to be disposed between the housing wall structure
and the cover wall structure.
2. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter element is disposed
partially in the housing wall structure of the air-cleaner housing member and
partially in the cover wall structure of the cover member.
3. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing wall structure
includes at least one slot for supporting the filter element between the housing
wall structure and the cover wall structure.
4. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover wall structure
includes at least one slot for supporting the filter element between the housing
wall structure and the cover wall structure.
5. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of the air-cleaner
housing member includes at least one slot for supporting the filter element
between the housing wall structure and the cover wall structure.
6. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of the cover
member includes at least one slot for supporting the filter element between the
housing wall structure and the cover wall structure.
7. The air-cleaner as claimed in any of the claims 3 to 6, wherein the at least
one slot is configured by two ribs which are spaced apart and are parallel to each
other.
8. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 7, wherein one end of the filter element
is slidably engaged with the at least one slot formed by ribs of the air-cleaner
housing member and other end of the filter element is slidably engaged with the at
least one slot formed by ribs of the cover member.
9. The air-cleaner as claimed in claims 1 or 7, wherein the housing wall
structure comprises:
a front wall;
a top wall;
a top back wall inclined backwardly and downwardly from the top wall;
a bottom back wall inclined downwardly and frontwardly from the top back
wall; and
a bottom wall connecting the front wall and the bottom back wall.
10. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 9, wherein the cover wall structure of
the cover member comprises:
a cover front wall;
a cover top wall;
a cover top back wall inclined backwardly and downwardly from the cover
top wall;
a cover bottom back wall inclined downwardly and towards front from the
cover top back wall; and
a cover bottom wall, wherein the cover bottom wall connects the cover front
wall and the cover bottom back wall.
11. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 10, wherein a slot formed on the cover
top wall of the cover member and a slot formed on the top wall of the air-cleaner
housing member fall in-line with each other when the cover wall structure of the
cover member and the housing wall structure of the air-cleaner housing member
are engaged together.
12. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 10, wherein a slot formed on the cover
bottom wall of the cover member and a slot formed on the bottom wall of the aircleaner
housing member fall in-line with each other when the cover wall structure
of the cover member and the housing wall structure of the air-cleaner housing
member are engaged together.
13. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the cover wall
structure of the cover member is same as that of an engaging portion of the
housing wall structure of the air-cleaner housing member so as to engage the
cover wall structure and the housing wall structure.
14. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein a clean side and a dirty side
are partly enclosed by the cover member and the air-cleaner housing member.
15. The air-cleaner as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air-cleaner housing
member is disposed within a space confined by a seat rail, a down tube and a rear A
frame member of the two-wheeled vehicle.